Atlas Th54 Basketcase. How Far Would You Go To Sell A Lathe?

personally I think there's a bit too much wear there to make it worth fixing - the lead screw, half nuts, bed wear, the gear at the end of the spindle (what do the reverse tumbler gears look like?), that gear in the apron (one at the top center), the missing carriage gear teeth, whereas there are still a lot of parts there that would be useful to others. In particular, the zamac casting that the carriage gear sits in is a common failure point and the QCGB is highly sought after for retrofits. I think it's up to you, but it's going to be a lot of work and money before it gets back to the state it should have been in, which is an old and perhaps tired lathe. I admire the intent behind helping someone out with the repairs, I just think it risks being a cross for your back and the buyers.

Just a follow up for anyone interested. I posted it on craiglist with a good description of what I knew was wrong with it (basically what I posted here) and the same photos plus a few more from different angles. I had two immediate hits from local buyers that offered $400, one wanted to come and pick it up immediately but I told him I wanted to run the listing for a whole week. On the 3rd day I got an email from a buyer in Tennessee that offered full price (I'd listed it for $600) if I'd hold it for him and then drove over 300 miles one way to pick it up. Gotta love the internet!

Somehow, I missed the QCGB photo. Or did you add it later? Anyway, that makes a considerable difference in perceived value. I think you got a reasonable price as a unit, and the buyer did OK, too.

That's a nice boost to the new tool fund.

MozamPete said:

That's a nice boost to the new tool fund.

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That's been my goal all along. As soon as I can free up some more space I'll order a new lathe. I've sold 3 "extra" machines in the last month and still don't have a place to park one. I am starting to like the new "clean" look and having space to work though.