In this thought exercise/potential reality, imagine that most everything else is absolutely the same like the drive train, the condition, the tooling, the price, etc...everything relevant is equal in this alternate reality and you're given the choice between a Clausing 4912 and a Logan 10 840...which would you go with and why? My instinctual visceral inclination is the Logan, even though I know that their rep can sometimes lean more towards mass produced hobby/toy than precision machine, they undoubtedly produced some quality lathes and at a glance, the 840 seems to be one of them. It simply looks more substantial than the Clausing, almost like a SB heavy 10 or something, that can at least be shimmed and adjusted back to true if it has twist or warp in the bed ways, vs the whole cabinet of the Clausing being one unit. That may be wildly inaccurate as I don't have any experience with either, but from my experience with machines of either 'style'...they both come very well equipped, but it seems that regarding accessories and parts Logan parts are harder to come by and Clausing's are quite expensive....Anyway, I am eager to hear any feedback that anyone with experience has, and as always, very grateful for this whole community! Thank you very much!
-
Welcome back Guest! Did you know you can mentor other members here at H-M? If not, please check out our Relaunch of Hobby Machinist Mentoring Program!
Hypothetically, but seriously, Clausing 4912 or Logan 10 840?
- Thread starter sdy5001
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2016
- Messages
- 2,995
According to the list I have the Logan 840 is a 10x24 turret lathe, did you mean 820 or perhaps somebody put a normal tailstock on the 840? The 800 series are flat belt drive with a 25/32 spindle bore.
From what I can find the Clausing 4912 is a 10x36 cabinet model with an under drive and is a more modern design with a 1-1/16" spindle bore.
Assuming the Logan isn't a turret lathe, they are solid lathes which is why they are popular, but Clausing is also a good brand.
Two very different forms, the Logan being a bench or leg mount with the motor located behind, the Clausing is a cabinet model with an under drive.
A 12" difference between centers is significant as well as the larger spindle bore on the Clausing.
Parts are not cheap for either, but both companies still offer support for both machines, although Logan parts availability is better. You can buy almost any part you need for a Logan, but they are not cheap.
This is more than just a choice between two brands, but personally I'd probably be favoring the Clausing because it seems to offer more. If space is a concern the Logan is the more compact and will be easier to move.
I'll also add if I was looking at a 10x36, I would seriously be thinking about a 12x36. To me the real benefit of a 10" lathe is the smaller form it takes with typically 22-24" between centers. Once you are at 36" between centers size probably isn't a major factor and you gain quite a bit going to a 12" lathe, more weight, bigger spindle bore, more power etc.
From what I can find the Clausing 4912 is a 10x36 cabinet model with an under drive and is a more modern design with a 1-1/16" spindle bore.
Assuming the Logan isn't a turret lathe, they are solid lathes which is why they are popular, but Clausing is also a good brand.
Two very different forms, the Logan being a bench or leg mount with the motor located behind, the Clausing is a cabinet model with an under drive.
A 12" difference between centers is significant as well as the larger spindle bore on the Clausing.
Parts are not cheap for either, but both companies still offer support for both machines, although Logan parts availability is better. You can buy almost any part you need for a Logan, but they are not cheap.
This is more than just a choice between two brands, but personally I'd probably be favoring the Clausing because it seems to offer more. If space is a concern the Logan is the more compact and will be easier to move.
I'll also add if I was looking at a 10x36, I would seriously be thinking about a 12x36. To me the real benefit of a 10" lathe is the smaller form it takes with typically 22-24" between centers. Once you are at 36" between centers size probably isn't a major factor and you gain quite a bit going to a 12" lathe, more weight, bigger spindle bore, more power etc.
Last edited:
ok, thank you, very valid points. let me see if I can upload some pictures....
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2015
- Messages
- 11,251
Agree with Aaron on all, but I would be on the lookout for worn spindle bearings. You don't want to replace on either machine.
Both good lathes though. Personally I like the Logan 12" models but hard to find in good shape
-Mark
Both good lathes though. Personally I like the Logan 12" models but hard to find in good shape
-Mark
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2016
- Messages
- 2,872
Without a doubt, the Clausing.
Larger spindle bore.
Flame hardened ways.
Tapered roller bearings in spindle: probably easier to obtain than the single source Logan bearings.
More feeds and threads.
Greater swing over cross slide.
Wider bed.
More cross slide travel.
Spindle drive belt can be changed without pulling the spindle.
More powerful motor as standard.
Larger spindle bore.
Flame hardened ways.
Tapered roller bearings in spindle: probably easier to obtain than the single source Logan bearings.
More feeds and threads.
Greater swing over cross slide.
Wider bed.
More cross slide travel.
Spindle drive belt can be changed without pulling the spindle.
More powerful motor as standard.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2013
- Messages
- 4,302
what he ^ said. The Logan is more like a light 10, the Clausing more like a Heavy 10, but a modern version.
Humph, well since you put it like that, it seems there's really isn't much of a choice to be made is there, ha. It's kind of funny though, but I think that my biggest hang-up with the stinkin' Clausing is the way the machine looks...my shop is a joyous space that is setup primarily to try and turn some passions into profits, or at least enough to cover the rent and justify keeping the space anyway, and is subsequently full of old (oddly enough almost unanimously American stuff from the1930's-50's) beautiful machinery that's all been mechanically rehab'd to be reliable and accurate, but not much further than that, and if I can make this Clausing happen it's going to be the fancy new pariah with its square shoulders and stamped steel looking exterior. It's funny how attached some of us can become to the supposedly soulless-by-nature machines and tools we surround ourselves with, but to me anyway, the likelihood of that bond and its strength seems to be inversely proportional to the machine's age/quality with heavy smooth old machines becoming trustworthy revered friends and the tinny throw-a-way tools today their contrary foe....
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2016
- Messages
- 2,995
I get that, some of the late vintage iron looks very modern. I have a 1978 (43 years old) Logan / Powermatic. It is legitimately vintage USA, but lacks the cool art deco styling of older machines and could easily be mistaken for an import until you try to move it (about 3x the weight of a similar sized import).
Last edited: