Collets for Atlas 6" Lathe?
 

Does anyone know if the Atlas Mk2 6" lathe can take collets? I don't
know any of the specs of my headstock.

If it is possible, where would be a good source for a holder/drawbar,
etc.?

Thanks,
Joe

Collets for Atlas 6" Lathe?
 

Joe,

I believe that the spindle nose taper is a Morse #2 taper, for which
commercial collets are available up to 1/2" capacity.

In Canada these are available for about CDN $12 each. I believe that
the magazine HOME SHOP MACHINIST has an Ad for same. I don't remember
the price, though.

These collets are threaded 3/8-16UNC in the back and can use a piece of
3/8 threaded rod for a draw bar. A better draw bar can be made from a
Grade 5 3/8" bolt which are available in lengths up to 8" in farm-type
hardware stores. Draw bars made from these bolts last MUCH longer.

The draw-back (love that pun!) of this type of collet is that they
cannot pass long work pieces through the body. But for semi-finished
work pieces they work very well with superb accuracy (concentricity).

I've used a set for over 10 years until I sold the lathe. I still use
the collets in a small dividing head and to hold cutters in the
EMCO-MAIER vertical milling head, now mounted on a separate X - Y
table.

They are good value for the money.

Wolfgang

Collets for Atlas 6" Lathe?
 

Collets for Atlas 6" Lathe?
 

According to Daniel A. Mitchell :
wrote:
Joe,

I believe that the spindle nose taper is a Morse #2 taper, for which
commercial collets are available up to 1/2" capacity.

[ ... ]

Yes, I think their spindles were all M2. Such collets are available, bt
have the limitations you describe.

One can also get a Bison (or similar) collet chuck to fit this lathe.
This allows the popular 5C collets up to one inch capacity to be used.
Stock over 1/2 inch or so will not fit throught the lathe spindle,
though smaller items can pass clear through (unlike the case with Morse
collets).

Or -- it is possible to use 3C collets for up to 1/2" through the
spindle. You would require a hollow drawbar with an internal thread to
match the collet's external thread, and a proper nosepiece to adapt the
3C collet to the Morse taper No. 2. But I believe that this was
available from Atlas -- and from Sears when they sold this as the
smaller "Craftsman" lathe.

Good Luck,
DoN.

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