What Lathe To Keep?

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songbird

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I am a retired carpenter and fairly new to machine work, (about 5 years). I have a classing 5914 lathe that I absolutely love and would never part with, but have got into buying small lathes, cleaning/repairing them, then selling them for a small profit to support my machining habit. The problem I have is I would love to keep one as a back up lathe, but can't decide which one to keep. I currently have a 1945 9" south bend model A bench top, a 1948 10" Logan/Montgomery wards bench top, and a 1966 12"atlas/craftsman commercial cabinet model. Easy lathe has normal wear, and each with it's own advantages and disadvantages. They all have QCGBs. You would think the bigger 12" atlas/craftsman would be a no brainier, but the flat ways and "zymak" gears has me worried. All suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks, Jim.
 
I was a wood butcher myself for many years. I have a 12" Craftsman for my small lathe and have been happy with it. I've heard others here say the flat ways are really a none issue and I would tend to agree, as long as everything is adjusted properly. Not a bad position to be in having three to pick from. Mike
 
I've always been a south bend fan myself, if you have a bigger lathe anyway size isn't much of an issue.
 
I've always been a south bend fan myself, if you have a bigger lathe anyway size isn't much of an issue.
 
What about other lathe features? Does your Wards/Logan have the plain apron or the automatic one? Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the South Bend Model A has separate feed for turning and half nuts for threading, I don't believe this is true for the Atlas. The Logan will have separate feed if it has the automatic apron (like my Logan 820).

I believe they all have power cross feed.
 
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Keep the 9" SBL, you won't be disappointed! Next choice would be the Logan lathe.

Don't feel bad, I have five lathes right now and trying to decide which one's to keep to down size. My 9" SBL is a keeper, it belonged to my dad and it's where I got my start in this disease. I'm partial to Sheldon lathes myself. Have two, a 13" and 15".
 
CluelessNewB said:
What about other lathe features? Does your Wards/Logan have the plain apron or the automatic one? Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the South Bend Model A has separate feed for turning and half nuts for threading, I don't believe this is true for the Atlas. The Logan could will have separate feed if it has the automatic apron (like my Logan 820).

I believe they all have power cross feed.
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You are correct, the south bend power feed runs of the key way on the lead screw, the atlas and my Logan runs off the half nut lever, (which I really do not like), but the atlas and Logan has timkin bearings, compared to southbends friction/oil lite/ect. bearing. Also, I do not have the steady or follower rest for the southbend, but have both for atlas and Logan.
 
As long as your bronze bearings are lubricated well they will last a lifetime. Not to worry.

Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
 
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