Metal Lathe

Bill · 2010-09-28T03:23:16+00:00

Since you folks have helped to cultivate me into a "tool junkie", I have the following question. Which, if any, of the metal lathes/mills on the following page would you buy, and why (what would you make?)? I assume at the very least one could make some cool drawer pulls, though I think that it would be difficult to justify ownership on that. made a center punch and a screwdriver handle on one in h.s.So just barely knowing how to use a lathe, I haven't much of a cluewhat to do with a mill. I'm interested though. A hadtobe "50 year old" beautiful metal lathe sold for auction here for about $400 last week. Probably weighed 1 T or more. If I had the means to get it home I would have made a bid. I made an extra trip back to the auction that day just to see it go. I think the brand name label started with a 'K' and it definitely said "Cincinnatti and Indianapolis" underneath the brand name. It's gone. Just the leftover ramblings of a tool junkie... : )Bill

Sep 28, 2010 26 Replies

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Bill 15 years ago

Thank you. That doesn't make them sound too valuable. They are all currently residing in a fancy antique tool chest which could quite likely get in my way of getting the bits. It has lots of drawers, some side-by-side, and a slide out cover which buckles down,and a mirror. It's exactly like this one I located on Google if you can follow this long link:

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the one in the picture appears to be in better condition. I was only after the bits and metal stock anyway! Maybe my wife would love to see the toolbox in the living room? :) No, seriously!

Bill

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Michael Kenefick 15 years ago

I suspect the 50 year old metal lathe may run extremely well, even today. Yes, if it is broken it would be harder to get parts. Yes, if it is broken it may not be the right machine. But I think you should consider it if possible. Also, owwm.org has added a metal working posting page. Ask a few of those folks about the one you saw. See what they think.

Mike in Ohio hilliardman on owwm

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Bill 15 years ago

I will look. Thanks! -Bill

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Bill 15 years ago

Here's a much better view of that "tool box" I was describing. Evidently, it's holding just what is was designed for...

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tomorrow...

Bill

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Nova 15 years ago

Check to see if it's a Gerstner tool chest.

See:

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Bill 15 years ago

$139. The auctioneer even said it "looked like" a Gerstner. With it's content: several calipers, cutting bits, blanks, and other small miscellaneous stuff, it went for $140 + 10% (buyer's premium) + 7% sales tax. I was prepared to bid but turned away when the bidding got to $100. I don't even own a lathe--but I figured there was enough there to get me off to a good start! : )

Each item I encounter like this leaves me a little wiser. For instance, last week I would not been able to tell the difference between a machinist's toolbox and a loaf of bread...and that's just a run of the mill bit.... %)

Bill

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Steve 15 years ago

Check Craigslist. Somebody in the Indpls area has listed a South Bend lathe under the rather opaque title, "10." There are several smaller metal lathes listed as well.

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