TFS: How to Buy a Lathe When You Don't Know How to Use One

A different approach to lathe buying. Maybe you have never used one before, but have seen many videos showing you how to use a lathe or a good buying guide. But what does all that mean? Here's a simplified version and a secret to finding out if it's a good buy or one to walk away from.

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[davidschwartz]

I bought my first and only lathe (1936, 13" round top Le Blonde, ) as a rescue project, it was laying in pile of parts on the garage floor at the end of an estate sale. Several daughters and husbands had disassembled in their deceased fathers basement gunsmithing work shop. A local scrap dealer had offered to sending some employees over on Monday to pick it up as a favor. He estimate it would bring $50.00 in scrap cast iron weight. It had also had a pile of attachments an tools, many devices were custom made for doing something. I offered them $500.00 for it but I could have gotten it for $50.00 if I as goin to save it, however, I do have a conscience. As and example it had 6 spindle chucks and a BXA Aloris tool holder and pile of tool holders to fit which at that time I had no Idea what they were at that time. I got a great deal but had to work for it. I spent the next 6 months Cleaning, refurbishing and painting. The only thing I had to buy was 2 oil cups that had gotten smashed somehow. I certainly enjoyed the time spent on this project and at this time life I would not want to part with my Le Blonde. One other thing, I forgot to paint the steady rest like the one in you video 🤣

[BuildSomthingCool]

Hi Justin, Thanks for the shout-out and putting me in the category of Mr Pete, This Old Toni, and Abom 79. Great Video! Now go out in your shop and Build something cool

[stephentayler]

You have hit the nail on the head with buying a lathe. I have 2 mini lathes and a milling machine, None of which is anything like standard anymore. I couldn't have anything bigger than the mini lathes, but they can stand a lot of improvement and boy have they had it. But I uses all the machines regularly and they do earn their keep. I have though just acquired a tig welder and while I have dabbled with stick welding and just about got by with it, The tig seems a better way for the most part. And I must say you have been a big help in getting started. A friend and myself are both just about in the same level of ability at the moment and your videos for beginners have been absolutely invaluable Many thanks Justin

[phillipchambers]

Thanks for the Video & Info. I've been wanting a Lathe & a Mill for years, and plan on getting one in the next year or two. No, I've never ran one, but I will learn. 25 years ago, I didnt know how to Weld, and I went out and a bought a Miller Syncrowave 250 Tigrunner Water Cooled, a Millermatic 250 Mig, and a Lincoln Procut 55 Plasma Cutter. I hired a Welder of 20 years to teach me to Weld. In one short month he had me Tig'ing Beer Cans together. 25 years later, I earn my living Welding & Fabricating. So, if you have the want to, some IQ, and a little bit of cash, (for the Equipment) you can learn anything that you want.

[TheAussiePirate]

What? A useful, honest thorough discourse on how a newbie can successfully find second hand machinery?
Where’s the waffle? Where’s the sensationalism? Where’s the clickbait title? WHERE THE HELL IS MY OPPORTUNITY TO HATE ON THIS VIDEO.

Good job man. A lesson in what constitutes informed, reasoned content.

[Shocker]

I dig it man. Looking forward to some lathe stuff. You're one of the few i follow on YouTube for one reason.... you're honest.... keep up the good work.

[donnyo]

I got fed up of looking at useless machines that were overpriced (biiiig problem in the UK). Having restored a couple of classic cars I can spot a BS make over a mile away! I ended up doing my own thing - I bought a mini lathe to learn on. I broke it, fixed it, broke it again, fixed better and so on until I could make stuff without breaking it and the whole process only cost me a few hundred quid. I then decided to buy a largeish Chinese lathe but figured that they are not as solid as the proper toolroom stuff (Which I have neither the money for or the space for) so I got one a couple of sizes bigger than I needed (325mm swing by 1000mm between the centres and weighing 760Kg). I've now made lots of parts etc and have not broken anything - result! Just another way of doing it that worked for me. Great video by the way.

[gregsmith]

Thxs for sharing I ended up with an antique giant with a flat leather drive me happy just staring at it 😁

[jeremyshields]

Timing. I just bought an Atlas series 3000 1 week ago to restore. Brushing up with Tubilcain and long time follower of ABOM79 for inspiration. MrPete has great videos on this Lathe. Thanks for the vijeho. Keep your.... I will let AvE explain.

[Adam-bi]

Yep. Always gotta check that wiring out. I learned that one the hard way too myself on a used Zubal I bought. Another “bonus” (like extra tools) is any original documents like manuals, cabinet diagrams, etc.

If all else fails: take a pessimistic friend with a dial indicator and a mag base to keep you from pouncing too soon.

[danweiss]

Great information at the right time in my life. I’m also not a machinist. I am a woodworker by trade/custom furniture. And it’s time in my life to get a little metal lathe to make parts to keep my old equipment running! In the wood shop.
Thanks

[JustGuyMetalworks]

Oh man, where were you in October? lol You pretty much nailed it on the "shady character" department. I bought a 1936, Atlas 10-D as my first lathe. Still using it but had to make some new parts for it just to get the manual feed working. So, long story short, paid $500 (against my better judgment) and I'm still fixing it 7 months later lol. Thanks for the video man, I know I've definitely learned something.

[brianp]

Man, I watch all those guys all the time and I had to go to a welding channel (ok, a phenomenal welding channel) to get a really insightful video on buying a used lathe under 10 tons for my hobby shop. I suppose it is fair since I do get some useful welding tips from Abom and Tony ;-)

[jasonchaney]

Dude, I have the exact same lathe. And didn't know a thing about machining before getting it. This is all great information. I'd like to say it's info I wish I'd had before, but my lathe came at a price I couldn't refuse. FREE! It's not perfect, but I wasn't walking away from that.

[georgedennison]

Here's something else about those old Craftsman lathes, (& table saws, planers, etc).

If they have those dual arbor motors, or if you find a solo motor, they make great bench grinders/buffers. For <$30.00 you can get some quality extension, which come in threaded grinder style or tapered buffer style.

The motors come in ½, ¾ & 1 hp versions. The models after the grey, (gold, typically), have an integrated On/Off switch on the side of the base. The base is a beefy cast iron unit.

Don't know why some Craftsman tools came w/ dual arbor motors since there was no use for the 2nd arbor. I think there was in the lathes.

Even newer table saws, (70-80's vintage), have dual arbor motors. They're a stamped steel base, Emerson motor, but still work.

I've bought $50-100 table saws, just for the motor. A bit of parts sales at killer, qck sale prices makes for a free grinder/buffer motor.

I've blanked on the name of the company that makes/sells the extensions; they are well known online for plating & anodizing supplies... Caswell.

You step up to a 1hp buffer/grinder, look out... it'll eat metal & tear your fingers/hands/arms off. Don't take it lightly.

Treat it well, & it'll get your stuff done as well as a $1000.00, er $1500, now, Baldor.

Hope this helps someone.

GeoD

[themotofixery]

Thumbs up for abomb79! And TOT! double thumbs up! Buying a lathe is money well spent! One of the most useful things you can have in your shop

[joearledge]

A year ago, I didn't even fully understand what a machinist was, I didn't know what an endmill was, or the difference between a router and a mill.... 6 months ago I bought my first cnc mill with no idea what I was doing. I got a tormach 440 brand new. My previous professions died, so here I am teaching myself(via YouTube and other stuff) how to make stuff and break stuff in my garage lol

[donpollard]

My lathe - a LYLAK (painted machinery green), was purchased in 1988 from a friend, and was stored on an open shed (recessed back a bit) and was loan to a gunsmith and a sport hunting bow and arrow type guy. I don't know where it was stored, but it needed attention when I got it back ... it sounded like the contactors needed serious attention (heavy whirring noise) ; it was actually the drive belt to the change pulleys. To change the belt involved major disassembly around the pulley area, so I used a Link-belt and adjusted its length. The difference? Bliss - runs like a new one, doesn't slip, cost around $100 Aus/$75 US, and was worth every cent. I used a grease gun of the push on variety in the oil holes, I think I needed to repair or replace my oil can!, but it is lubricated.

[jamesgulrich]

I have that exact same lathe. I bought it about 15 years ago from a woman that had lost her husband a few years earlier. 600 bucks and she gave me two wood lathes and a belt sander and a couple of motors too. It had a homemade quick change, three and four jaw chucks, lots of tools and plenty of dirt and grime to go with it. I still use it all the time. Nice score! That's a great machine except I notice you are missing the belt guard. Don't worry about that. Mine rubs and I have to leave it open or it will drive me nuts!

[CutlassOutdoors]

Awesome video! This is exactly my problem right meow. I’m trying to get a lathe and have never used one before. That’s a surprisingly complicated endeavor.