looking to buy metal lathe price questions

G Martin fired this volley in news:dcaefe32-8f58- snipped-for-privacy@h31g2000prl.googlegroups.com:

I know this guy. He's legit... just new to metalworking, and wanting a good deal.

I already cautioned him about short-bed machines, but I'm really not up- to-date on pricing for medium-old iron, being about ten years since I purchased a lathe.

LLoyd

Thanks Lloyd I definetly don't want any of the new imported stuff and shopping around my local area there isn't to many right now. Looked at the small 6" Atlas/Craftsman and a bit to small for my needs I think.

Greg

Old American or European lathes are a wise choice. Bed length that short will be a issue. Especially so if the spindle is threaded, as the center hole is small. Pricing of older lathes are inversely proportionate to their size. Small lathes suffer power and stiffness issues, as well as being expensive. The ideal size for a home lathe is a balance between affordability, price performance and physical size. Older small lathes often use the motor behind configuration and although very nice, consumes a lot of floor space, more than many much larger machines. Although not popular with many, I find taper attachments indispensable. I own

3 lathes and every one of them has a taper attachment. The value of any machine is proportional to the amount of tooling that goes with it. Buying from a machine dealer will result in less tooling than buying private. Do not buy a lathe that cuts less than 40 different threads or does not have spindle speeds less than 90 RPM. Do not buy a machine that does not use common spindle configurations, including the spindle taper. (just talk to Iggy). In my humble opinion, the best compromise is a 12 speed, 13x 40 lathe with a D1-4 spindle and a MT 5 taper. The consumed floor space is close to the same as a smaller machine without the price premium of a small machine. Be prepared to spend $2500 to $4,000 for a fully equipped and tooled used machine in good condition. You will find less expensive deals, but they will rarely meet all the parameters above and meeting these parameters up front is infinitely less expensive than tooling after the fact. Steve

First of all..where do you live?

Pricing differs all over the nation.

In industrial areas..they can be had for very little money

In non industrial areas/states..they can be far more money.

Gunner

"First Law of Leftist Debate The more you present a leftist with factual evidence that is counter to his preconceived world view and the more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot, homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to the subject." Grey Ghost

Personally..Id strongly recommend a Logan 11 x 24 or 36, as long as its in GOOD condition

Or even a bigger lathe. If you have the room..many lathes 11x36 or so can be had. And at that size..even the imports tend to be pretty good. Or even a 13/14/15" lathe. I run across them for $1500 fairly regularly

Gunner

"First Law of Leftist Debate The more you present a leftist with factual evidence that is counter to his preconceived world view and the more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot, homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to the subject." Grey Ghost

Well, I'm in DFW. A week ago I advertised a nice 9x17 Logan, QC gearbox, automatic apron, very good condition, with bench, for $1200. I could have sold it 3 times. It will be gone this afternoon.

There is a pristine Atlas 12" cabinet lathe in Dallas, like new, well-tooled, with new taper attachment, not sold at $2500. I think it could be bought for $1500, maybe less.

That's two local pricepoints that are pretty representative for this area. Metal lathes sell quickly if they aren't junk

Nice American iron sells for over $1000 pretty easily. Even the Atlas 618s can get over $800 if nice and well-tooled. Southbends seem to command a premium, but I prefer the Logans for their tapered-bearing headstocks.

My "Keeper" lathe right now is a 10x24 Enco, built in the 1980s. I sold a Logan to keep this one, good machine. I expect I'll sell it too, and put the proceeds for a new Asian 13x40

I'm on the west coast where soon they will probably ban you from owning a lathe at home! Just kidding they ban everything else out here. I came across a Logan 10' x 24" asking price $800 but have to go look at it to see condition and what tooling he has with it. Does that price seem high?

Thanks Greg

I'm on the west coast where soon they will probably ban you from owning a lathe at home! Just kidding they ban everything else out here. I came across a Logan 10' x 24" asking price $800 but have to go look at it to see condition and what tooling he has with it. Does that price seem high?

Fully tooled in good condition: that's a deal.

Beat to shit and no tooling: walk

Karl

I have a Logan mod 922, 11"x36" Bench Mod. with cast legs. Purchased in '04 for $1850. Reasonable shape and reasonably tooled, 3 jaw, 4jaw, steady rest, face plate, 5C adapter and a few collets. The shipping was a killer from FL. to WA.

Your $800 in good shape with _any_ tooling sounds like a good deal.

I Really like the Logan. They are still in business and can provide a measure of support for their older machines. Must say they are proud of parts but the quality is first class.

HTH rgentry at oz dot net

G Martin wrote in news:cf95d411-b7b9-4d4b-9c43- snipped-for-privacy@n20g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

What state - and how far from Taft, Ca. (Gunner's home base)?

BTW, you DO like cats, don't you?

Central valley Calif just south of Sacramento. That model 200 for $800 has no tooling and the guy has never cut threads with it so I don't think there are any change gears. I just found another Logan 10" x 24" model 815 QC gear box 5 drawers full of tooling ( several chucks, faceplate, steady rest, follower rest, live centers, jacobs chucks ect.) The guy is asking B.O. $750 to low to start?

Greg

I too am on the Left Coast. Bakersfield and Ontario.

How much can you afford? I work as a service tech in machine shops all over So Cal and run into stuff all the time.

You may also wish to contact Leigh at MarMachine..Costa Mesa. He specializes in hobby type used industrial machine tools. A very fair man with good Stuff on hand all the time

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

Drop him an email and see what he has

Or simply call him

He has been overloaded with smaller lathes.

Drop me an email, telling me what you want..and Ill hunt you up something.

gunnerasch at hotmail dot com

Gunner

"First Law of Leftist Debate The more you present a leftist with factual evidence that is counter to his preconceived world view and the more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot, homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to the subject." Grey Ghost

Shusss.....!!! Dont tell him he gets a cat with every purchase

Btw..I have a Hardinge TFB lathe for sale..$2200 obo And it will have a 3 jaw, live center, tool holders etc etc

Nice lathe, no threading

Gunner

"First Law of Leftist Debate The more you present a leftist with factual evidence that is counter to his preconceived world view and the more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot, homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to the subject." Grey Ghost

Well I just missed out on a Logan 815 w/QC gearbox and tons of tooling it sold for $900

Gunner That email address @aol is no good?

if you contact me off the group, I may be able to put you in contact with a guy who has some nicer lathes than that - but they would be closer to Los Angles than Sacramento.

For what it's worth, I paid $1200 for my Logan/Powermatic (12X48) with a couple of chucks and not much else, I added a VFD to drive it and it is serv>> G Martin wrote in news:cf95d411-b7b9-4d4b-9c43-

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Bill How do I contact you off list?

I sent an email to the address you post from - that might work, otherwise, please go to my web site,

and pick up my real email from there - I do that because when I used my real email in newsgroup postings I started getting a LOT of spam - by using an invalid email address, I don't get spam from the spiders that crawl the newsgroups, at least.