On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:33:02 GMT, "Steve"
wrote:

[top posted for your convenience]

First of all, I have to say that looks more substantial than I would
have suspected. Consequently, you should be able to have some fun on
that without as much worry over robustness as you might have on a post
War Craftsman offering. Although not easy to determine from the
pictures, I would guess that the fittings might be consistent with
those later lathes.

Traditionally, from that post War period, Craftsman lathes, certainly
from the '60s on, used a 3/4-16 thread on the drive shaft with a #1
Morse taper for both drive shaft and tailstock spindles. Most modern
threaded accessories (chucks, faceplates, etc.) have a 3/4-16 version
available.

Similarly, there are #1 MT accessories in most configurations (most
other lathes use a #2 MT--not an important consideration in
determining the "value" of your lathe), such as spur centers, cup
centers, live centers, collets, etc.

The only serious things to worry about are broken parts, most
particularly the headstock casting, the tailstock casting, the banjo,
and the toolrest. Bearings are probably off-the-shelf from any good
bearing supplier.

The banjo looks suspiciously like the more modern Sears banjo and I
suspect you might be able to modify one to work should you break
yours. I believe the post in the toolrest is 3/4" and like the spindle
parts, should be available from aftermarket vendors (don't take my
word on any of this).

However, if you wreck any of the other castings, I would recommend
trashing it (unless you want to use it as the foundation of your newly
inspired museum) and getting something more modern. I can't imagine
you'd ever be able to get replacement parts, particularly without the
model number. Sears lives and dies by the three digit manufacturer's
code at the beginning of the serial number, and without it they won't
even talk to you. In my opinion, those parts aren't going to be
available in any event.

Have fun. Find some local turners. They'll be able to get you over a
lot of humps.

First let me thank those who helped me get the pictures on my post. As I
expalined in my previous post. My father in law gave me a lathe that
belonged to his father. I can't find a serial number on it so I am having a
hard time tracking down the origianl specs to see if I can get parts and
accessories for it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here are some
pictures of my lathe and that of the 1935-36 Craftsman lathe.

Thanks,

Steve

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...964/lathe4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...964/lathe3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...964/lathe2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...964/lathe1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...35-36lathe.jpg


--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net

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