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View Full Version : Old Craftsman 6" lathe questions.


Jesse Phoenix
11-02-2011, 04:47 PM
Here's the Model #101-21400 and the Serial #005406.

It's part of an estate inheritance and curious about this lathe
I had a real nice machinist fella stop by and inform me that this lathe is fully tooled with 3 chucks and he proceeded to run it and show me that everything worked. He seemed fairly impressed almost like a kid in a candy store. We had a good time and some nice conversation.

But was wondering what the opinion might be of what this unit is worth? I'm not a lathe guy so I may be looking to sell. But I am also a bit interested in it's history. It's actually kinda fun just to look at for some reason. Reminds me of a simpler time when a honest days work actually meant something.

aametalmaster
11-02-2011, 07:19 PM
It was made by Atlas for Sears. Check ebay listings for similar models for prices. They seem to sell pretty good...Bob

Jesse Phoenix
11-02-2011, 10:40 PM
Thanks Bob. I'll do that.

aametalmaster
11-03-2011, 06:34 PM
You can also post here in this yahoo lathe group...Bob
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/atlas_craftsman/

AR1911
11-24-2011, 11:52 AM
those are arguably the best of the metal lathes sold by Sears, and still popular today 35 years after the last one was sold. Yours is one of the later ones with Timken headstock bearings. Yours is a bit rough, but they are simple machines and make a nice restoration project if you are so inclined. I have rebuilt several of them for the pleasure of doing so, and sold each at a nice profit. I have one now that I am trying hard not to sell, as it is very nice and unrestored, though not as well-tooled as yours. Yours also is very well tooled, with both Steady and follow rests, extra chucks. Does it have the milling attachment?

Here in North Texas, that would bring $300-$400 as-is. cleaned, painted, and adjusted, with a good motor and mounted to an inexpensive bench or even a nice board, it could bring as much as $800

First post, BTW, pleasure to find you guys