Jon, I have essentially the same model Atlas Lathe, except mine has a
42" bed, is in clearner, wear fee condition and has the more desirable
rear drive. I paid $1240 for it on eBay, and another $200 or so to have
it shipped from Chicago to the Boston area. I also have complete
specifications and a service manual for the machine, so fee free to
post any specific questions that you have or email me at
.

The 12" Atlas is, in my experience, a much better machine than the
Grizzly or any of the smaller Chinese lathes, plus replacement parts
and accessories are easily available on eBay. It's not as rugged as a
South Bend, but comparable to a Logan. It's perfect for the home shop,
although a little light for doing serious tool and die work with a hard
steel.

Drawbacks include the slip clutch on the feed screw being difficult to
adjust and somtimes slips when doing transverse cuts using the power
feed but other than that it's a wonderful machine that more closely
compares with a South Bend than it does with a Grizzly.

On the positive side, it employs replacable Timken roller bearings in
the headstock, has a conventional 1-1/2 x 8 headstock thread, a #3
Morse taper in the headstock, and a #2 Morse taper in the tailstock.
The flat bed isn't a problem for me, and can be inexpensively reground
if it ever becomes needed (which it probably won't). All in all, I like
it very much and have never regretted buying it over one of the small,
Chinese lathes.

Hope this helps. Harry C.