Atlas/Craftsman Serial Numbers and Bearing Dates (if applicable) For Database Entries

[mvagusta]

A few days ago I picked up a Craftsman 101.07301 6x18 lathe for $40 off of Next Door. It looks like it has never been repainted and what is left of the paint is the original Craftsman blue. See the photo of the inside of the gear cover, it is pristine. Because of the badge on the gear cover I think it is a 1939 model. The only Craftsman catalog image with that badge is 1938 and this lathe has a back gear, which the 1938 model did not have. Serial# 4187. The compound slide is odd ... it is blocky, a lighter shade of blue, and looks like it came off a Mk II. I don't know why there is a hole drilled in the front of the gear case, either. I have no history and no record of when it was purchased.

 

[wa5cab]

Mvagusta,

Best guess as to year of manufacture is 1941. I agree that the compound slide is from an Atlas MK2 Model 10100 from the second or later year of manufacture, as the early 10100's were still painted gray. The other things that are missing are the tailstock ram lock handle and maybe the rest of the lock - can't tell from the photos. And the entire countershaft assembly. Originally, the countershaft assembly was the same as the version 2 618 assembly. But the third 618 version, which was made from about 1940 until 1974 will also fit and work fine.

AFAIK, the Craftsman 101.07301 was the same from 1939 until mid-1957.

 

[mvagusta]

Thanks for the info. It's also missing the change gears, faceplate, live and dead centers, and a tool post. Still, the price was right.

 

[wa5cab]

Yeah, I forgot to mention the rest of the change gears. Unless you've already done that, it might be worthwhile going back to whomever you got it from and maybe to whomever that individual got the machine from. Ya never know!

I would recommend, however, buying a decent quality 0XA quick change tool post kit, plus at least three additional Turning & Facing holders. Over the years, I have ended up with 7 0r 8. But 2 is the bare minimum. Otherwise you aren't much better off time wise than with a Lantern Style.

 

[Grader Johnny]

10f v54 down here in New Zealand am unsure on dates was missing some change gear bushings and sleeves but managed to make some up.

 

[wa5cab]

My best guess as to date of manufacture is mid 1942. Only thing obviously missing are all of the belt and gear covers.

Otherwise, aside from the paint on the right leg, it looks pretty good for the age.

 

[Grader Johnny]

My best guess as to date of manufacture is mid 1942. Only thing obviously missing are all of the belt and gear covers.

Otherwise, aside from the paint on the right leg, it looks pretty good for the age.

Thanks Wa5cab. Seems in good age to me and as for the covers from what I have found it’s all there as it’s a vertical countershaft? I could be wrong

 

[wa5cab]

You may be correct on the belt and gear covers - the lighting in the first photo is not too good on the left end.

And I deleted the note that I had pasted in about the bearing dates as there are none on the babbit bearings. Habits are sometimes hard to break!

 

[Grader Johnny]

Sorry for the bad photo here’s another

 

[wa5cab]

OK, in this photo, I can see the cover over the change gears on the left end of the headstock and over the back gears. And there does not appear to have ever been a motor belt cover on the vertical countershaft 10".