New To Me Craftsman 618 - Everything In Order?

[DaveBarbier]

Hi everyone! I got a Craftsman 618 (101.21400) off Craigslist a couple weeks ago. I posted an introduction and just finished building a bench for it out in my shed.

I pretty much just wanted to get people's thoughts on what I have here. Anything missing, or looking out of place or damaged? I payed $375 for it and it came with about a half dozen more gears of various sizes, I think for threading.

I plan on getting new belts but I'm finding it hard to find. Any resources? Forgive me, I searched a lot but couldn't find anything, maybe I just don't know how to look for these parts yet. I also plan on running it for a bit, making sure it's all good and then disassembling (not completely, but just enough) and cleaning and oiling. Maybe replacing the bearings but unsure if it's needed.

Here are the pictures. Hope having this many isn't an issue for anyone. Thanks for the help!

 

[34_40]

Nice lookin' unit. I'm not much of the atlas / craftsman lathe guy.. but as far as the belt, you should be able to look at or walk into any industrial supply house and ask for a 3/8" X 35" ( I can read it in your picture!) belt. I like using the Gates Green belts. They are 1 tough piece.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

Looks good to me and a great price too! Looks about the same as mine when I got it, although I've been through everything once and I'm now working on a few different bushings. Clean everything up, oil it liberally and then work on each bit as and when you want. The tail stock is a good part to work on first - easy to disassemble, no scary gotchas and you can use the lathe without it

The motor is a little on the weedy side, they came with 1/3-1/4hp motors I believe. The belts you want are 3L width (3L250 would be 25in long for example) and cheap as chips. I've bought some from USbearingsandbelts on ebay who has great prices and service. You can also get 3L link belt, which is what I currently have on mine as I was chasing down vibrations.

 

[DaveBarbier]

Thanks guys! So, 1/3-1/4 HP motors, eh? This motor says 1/6! Any idea if the Century motor is the factory one? I have a spare 1/3 HP motor from an old bandsaw I could use if this is the wrong motor or just not powerful enough for a lathe.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

try it out first - the ability to reverse the motor is very handy at times, so as long as it lets you do the cuts you want, I'd leave it as is for now. Then again, if the 1/3hp bandsaw motor was just as smooth and was reversible, it wouldn't hurt to try it out either

 

[DaveBarbier]

try it out first - the ability to reverse the motor is very handy at times, so as long as it lets you do the cuts you want, I'd leave it as is for now. Then again, if the 1/3hp bandsaw motor was just as smooth and was reversible, it wouldn't hurt to try it out either

True, if it works for what I need, no reason to change it. I could see it being safer too, if something goes wrong like crashing a bit or something then I imagine a 1/3 HP motor could do more damage than a 1/6.

Thanks

 

[mattthemuppet2]

I wouldn't worry about that too much, your belts will slip before you do any damage. That and don't crash anything

 

[A618fan2]

That's a sweet 618 - and a great price too. I think you'll enjoy it.

John

 

[David VanNorman]

You did good for what you paid. That will get you started.

 

[DaveBarbier]

Good to hear guys, thanks! Time to look for belts to order and then clean it up!