I have been asked some questions on Atlas Lathes frequently by people visiting my site.  Below are answers to those question most frequently asked, as well as other useful information for Atlas owners.

Atlas Lathes Over the Years

    As with any product the Atlas lathes changed over the years, and not all parts are interchangeable.  If you are buying used parts, be sure to take extra precautions that the parts will fit your model.  From my research and conversations the following are some guide lines for interchange ability.

Parts from lathes of the same general vintage

    Some parts from similar models of the 10 and 12 inch lathes are interchangeable, with the following exceptions.

1.  The 10 " bed is narrower both on the inside and outside dimensions so the headstock, tailstock, carriage, and steady-rest will not interchange.

2.  The Loose Change Gears are the same between 12" and 10" models.  Later models of the lathes had slightly thicker gears, than for models like my early 30's lathe.  The extra thickness consisted of wider shoulders at the hub.  So used gears may have to be shimmed out with washers or have the shoulders faced off.  The associated bolts and spacers may also have to be modified.  Otherwise the gears are interchangable between the 10" and 12".

3.  Babbit and roller bearing models use the same parts for the back gears and pulley with minor differences, that are easy to figure out.  There are differences in the parts that position the spindle in the area of the far left hand headstock bearing.

A.    In the Babbit model there is a spacer on the left side, and a ball bearing thrust bearing on the right.

B.    In the roller bearing model there is a different type of spacer on the left and a plain collar on the left that holds the small back gear and pulley in place.  This collar is held in position with setscrews and is moved to the right as far as it will go.  The spindle is held in position by the roller bearings.

C.    The spindles are different only in that the roller bearing model has an add-on collar at the chuck end.  A Babbit bearing spindle can be used if the small pin at the change gear end is removed and a collar turned for the chuck end.

    Parts between different models may or may not be interchangeable, so care should be used when attempting this.  I would be sure to try the parts being purchased fit before you buy them.  Whole assembles will probably exchange (such as an entire headstock).  As far as I know the back gears on the spindle, the spindle, and the other parts on the spindle are pretty much the same for all similar swing models over most of the entire model range, and generally interchange able between the 10 and 12 inch models.  Still make sure before buying.  Some minor modifications may allow you to use them on your lathe.

Motor Pulley

    Several people have asked me about the size of the double pulley that came for mounting on the motor.  These pulleys apparently disappeared with the motor as the lathe has changed hands over the years.  The two pulley diameters are (measured at the outer rim of the groove): 2 inch (smaller pulley that mounts toward the motor) , and 4.5 inches (larger that mounts away from the motor).  The pulley groove dimensions and spacing are the same as for the matching countershaft pulley.

Determining the Type of Headstock Bearings in Your Lathe - (Added 12/10/1998)

    Atlas produced lathes with two types of headstock bearings.  One type was the more common tapered roller bearings, and the other was with bearings made with poured Babbit metal.  Babbit is a soft metal resembling lead.

    In general the roller bearings are preferred.  They provide a longer lasting assembly and are also much less work to maintain.  They also can safely be used at the higher speeds than the Babbit, which can overheat and score if care is not taken, or the lathe is used for extended periods at these speeds.  Babbit like any soft metal can easily be damaged by careless operation or handling during the removal of the spindle.  Proper adjustment and oiling are critical.  A properly adjusted Babbit bearing in good condition will hold the spindle more securely and with less vibration, than a roller bearing an thus provide a better finish to your workpiece.  This is similar to how South Bend headstock bearings are made.

    One important factor in an considering an older lathe with Babbit bearings is that if they are damaged in any way, the only recourse to repair them is to pour new bearings in place on the headstock and remachine the surface!!!  Damaged roller bearings can simply (if somewhat expensively for good replacements) be replaced.  Also if the Babbit surface is damaged it is quite likely that the spindle surface is also.

    Thus the bearings both have their tradeoffs.  My preference is for the roller bearings.

    You can determine the type of bearings used by looking at the top of the headstock in the area of the bearings.  A lathe with roller bearings has a bearing cap that is a solid part of the headstock casting, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

    A lathe with Babbit bearings has a split bearing with a removable cap, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Atlas Lathe Break-Away Leadscrew Bearings!! (Added 03/26/1999)

Parts Sources

New Replacement Parts

    Atlas was bought by Clausing several years ago.  Clausing now sells replacement parts.  You will need the model and serial numbers.  On my lathe the model number is on a plate on the back of the bed, and the serial number stamped on the bedways at the tailstock end.  Clausing will be able to send you a drawing and parts list for your particular lathe.  They also have a book on the use and care of Atlas lathes available for about $20.  This covers the later lathes only, but still has useful information for the older lathes.

    Another difference is in how the change gears are setup.  This is discussed below.

    For those of you with Babbit bearing headstocks - The Babbits are not replaceable, and the shims are no longer stocked.  The above book does not have any information on this type of bearings, but the South Bend book on lathe maintenance discussed below does.

        Clausing has a Web Page at <http://www.clausing-industrial.com/index.htm>
        Their phone number is (219) 533-0371.

Used Parts

 Both of the used parts sources below advertise in "Home Shop Machinist" and have good reputations.

Meridian Machinery - They sell used equipment and parts for a variety of machines.
        They have a Web Page at <http://www.mermac.com>

Sorbel Machinery - They also sell used equipment and parts.
        They do not have a Web Page.  Their address is:
            93 Garry Rd.
            Closter, NJ
            07624
            Phone: 201 768-9645

    The popular US hobby machinist magazines "Home Shop Machinist" and "Projects in Metal" also frequently have individuals who post adds for used parts in the For Sale sections.  I have not dealt with any of these.  So can not personally recommend any of them.

Back Gears

    The earlier model lathes have the back gears bolted to the back of the headstock.  Some less expensive models were sold without theses gears.  The spindle has just the regular pulley mounted on it.  The spindles however are the same as those in the models with back gears, as is the pulley.  If you can get a used set of back gears, you should be able to just bolt them on.  There are two that go on the spindle and two that are on a carrier that bolts to the headstock.

Belt Covers

    My lathe originally came with no belt covers, just two small shields that covered the top of the back gears.  The later roller bearing headstocks of the same period replaced these with a full hinged cover over the top of the lathe.  With my lathe this cover bolted onto the back gear carrier with out any other changes (other than longer bolts) needed.  I highly recommend this if you can find one.

Important Caution for Babbit Bearing Models!

    The South Bend book states that a lathe with Babbit bearings should not be used at speeds greater than about  1200 RPM!!!  This limits the top speed of the Atlas to the 1270 RPM speed.  Do not use the 2072 RPM setting!

Useful Books

Lindsay Publications

    Lindsay Publications sells reprint of early 1900s books on machining.  These cover topics that are useful to those of use in the home shop.  We seldom need information on CAD/CAM machining, but do on manual machining as in the type practiced earlier in our century.  Some of the ones that will be of the most use for a lathe are described below.  One caution is that being reprints these books do not always meet modern safety standards in their recommendations.  So use sense when using the material in the books
 

1. If you have a Babbit bearing lathe (of any type) Lindsay Publications sells a reprint of the South
        Bend Lathe Companies maintenance instructions for the lathes from the 40s ("Keep Your Lathe
        in Trim" I think is the title) for about $3 or $7.  The maintenance book covers the care and
        adjustment of Babbit bearings., as well as other parts of the South Bend lathes.  There is plenty
        of useful information that applies to Atlas Babbit bearing lathes as well.
2. They also carry the operating instructions books for both South Bend and Sheldon lathes  These
        are good books to learn the operation of any lathe.
3. They also have a wide variety of other machining related reprints available, including casting,
        milling machine operation, use of shapers, and many more.  I have always had prompt
        and mistake free service from them.

Clausing

    Clausing sells a book on operating a modern Atlas Lathe.  Most of the information will apply to any roller bearing model.  Except for the Babbit Bearing care most will also apply to these models.  One exception is in the area of the threading charts and formulas.  Newer models had both a 32 and 16 tooth gear setup for the reversing carrier.  The charts are all based on this arraignment.  The older lathes had only the 32 tooth gear.  This makes most of the book's chart information useless for the older lathes.  From what I can tell from several parts sheets I have the 32/16 tooth gears cluster (all one cast part, with the gears stacked) could be adapted to older lathes, and thus the charts used.  I have made up a chart for the older lathes as described later.

Magazines

    In the US there are several "standard" magazines for the home machinist and Live Steam enthusiast.  Three of these "Home Shop Machinist", "Projects in Metal", and "Live Steam Magazine" are published by Village Press.  All are 6 issues per year.
    "Home Shop Machinist" and "Projects in Metal" come alternate months giving you a issue of one or the other each month to read.  These cover various metalworking topics each time, and carry many interesting projects for the hobbyist to build in his or her shop.  "Projects in Metal" tends to carry projects that are completely described in one issue.  "Home Shop Machinist" generally carries multi issue series projects on anything from miniature internal combustion engines to clocks to using jigs in the workshop.  Both have shop tips and advise in each issue.
    "Live Steam", of course. caters to the stationary steam, traction engine, steam locomotive, and diesel locomotive hobby.  The railroad topics vary from "G" gauge to full size, with 3 ¾" gauge to 15" gauge the most frequent

    Village Press has a Web Site at <http://www.villagepress.com/>
 

    The other popular magazine is "Modeltec"  this is a monthly magazine and deals mostly with steam and model railroad related topics.  The majority is large scale locomotive models in the 3 ¾" to 15" range.

    Modeltec has a Web Site at <http://www.4w.com/modeltec/>
 

Useful Information for Atlas Lathe Operators

    Below are links to two useful charts for Atlas owners.  The first is a chart relating belt position to spindle speeds.  The second is a Threading Chart for older Atlas lathes with just the 32 tooth gear in the reversing carrier.  This chart has been updated with information from a factory chart.

Click here to see the Spindle Speed Chart

Click here to see the older lathe Threading Chart (Added 12/11/1998)

Click here to see the newer lathe Threading Chart (Added 12/20/1998)

Link to new Clausing/Atlas Tools info page for Atlas Machines.

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