Hey guys, been a while but just stumbled into something and need some opinions

[Sudsy]

I have an opportunity to buy some interesting vintage stuff. It's a friend of a friend type thing so I don't want to screw the guy, yet I don't want to over pay.
Three items I can't figure out the value of
An Atlas Machinist lathe
A Proto upper tool chest, dancing girl label (missing the handle to the middle drawer any way to find a replacement ?)
A Herbrand upper tool chest

There's a lot more stuff, like a box of Proto wrenches, another box of Herbrand and Thorsen sockets, a Snappy cart, a lot of old saws and hand tools......  and I've only been able to get to half the stuff.
I plan on cleaning up the lathe and boxes and selling them to help finance all the rest. Love to keep them but I just don't have room for them in my shop, no possible way. (Already have 30 lbs of #### in a 5 lb bag)

So whaddy think the lathe and each box are worth ?? What should I offer without being an ******** ??

[Sudsy]

Lathe motor

[oldgoaly]

You might check ebay on how much others have sold for. The Atlas lathe is nice but not worth lots of money.  The "tooling that comes with it and the "condition of the lathe" is very important. Need to do a couple of simple tests like making some cuts and measuring for accuracy.  The lathes are light weight which for many is just right, I have a 6", 10" and a 12" so I have some experience. Most the members are far better on pricing than I am, I squeak when I walk. cheap too! Bought the 6" not working for a 100$ around 1995, 10" was 450$ running and with some basic tooling, 12" was 800$ with lots of good stuff like extra chucks, milling adapter, steady rest, Quick change gear box, tool post grinder and in unused condition, many thing were still in the Atlas boxes. Good luck with the deal!

[amecks]

I watch values on Atlas lathes only because I own one.  Oldgoaly's assessment is about right.  I bought my 6" for $200 with a worn bed but lots of extras. But I would say in fine working condition, value up to $600, maybe more.
Al 

[Sudsy]

I squeak when I walk.

LOL, now that's funny

There are no working belts, just one that's rotted, so I'm not going to be able to do any more than hand spin the head stock and check to see if the motor works

Might be worth an investment to possibly save some headaches, do you know what size belts it takes ?

[oldgoaly]

Do not know the sizes off the top of my head, parts lists and operating manuals in pdf are on line for free. Many use a cog / link belt, repair belt cause you have to take the main shaft loose in the head stock to get the main drive belt on.There should be a data plate on the ways of the bed facing the back side. They made 2 different headstocks, TH-xx Timkin head is the better to have. The other is a bronze bushing which works well but not as sturdy can show more wear.
If you can not run it, look for wear marks on the carriage and bed ways. The ways were surface harden once it gets worn thru the 1st few thousandths it wear quickly also the screw threads and brass nuts on you carriage adjustments should be smooth. If worn it will jump in the worn spots, there are some replacement parts out there, but can add up to more than what you paid for the lathe. Does it have a set of change gears? these are a type of pot metal along with the drive gears look at them for missing teeth and wear. You will hear some say those gears are for toys but most of the smaller china lathes have plastic ones that fail.
I won't mention some of the other noises I make, but some snaps and cracks scare the cats and dog. Many times people have mentioned those noises. I compliment them on how good their hearing is, they reply no you are just loud.

[Sudsy]

Great stuff there, thank you
 I'll be heading over in a bit (or possibly in the morning) so I printed out those things to look at to bring along

[Lostmind]

My opinion is it all looks like space hogs. If you can get it for scrap value it might be worth your time and effort.
Nothing looks to be in " Good " condition.
Very tough to sell heavy stuff needing work.

[skipskip]

spend a few minutes looking for prices of "lathe legs".


It will be enlightening, as  they often are worth more than the lathe.

Skip

[Sudsy]

Wow, very enlightened
If I break this thing down, clean and sell the parts, I'll get at least double what I would cleaning it up and selling the whole unit

[skipskip]

Wow, very enlightened
If I break this thing down, clean and sell the parts, I'll get at least double what I would cleaning it up and selling the whole unit


thats how I pay for my old tool  addiction

[Sudsy]

Just checking - this is it right ??

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/51/3440.pdf

[oldgoaly]

looks like it.

[lptools]

Hello, Sudsy. Full sets of lathe gears also do well on the open market. Keep an eye open to see if the guy had any spares. Regards, Lou

[Sudsy]

Here's today's haul, have to go back tomorrow for the rest and for the lathe
A lot of Proto and SK with some Thorsen, Williams, Snappy, and Gilliam (which I'm not familiar with)









This set doesn't belong in this box:



A pretty good set of auto body tools