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  1. #1
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    Default Help identifying old " Advance " Lathe

    I'm hoping somebody here can assist with the identification of this old lathe I'm considering for purchase. It appears to be at a relatively fair price for a working lathe. It was advertised only as an Atlas metal lathe. I haven't actually viewed it yet so only going from the photos. The seller is away from home so can't answer any questions plus he doesn't really know a lot about it. I'm going to inspect it this week, probably on Wednesday. The countershaft assembly certainly looks to be similar to the Atlas / Craftsman 6 style. There appears to be a name plate under the headstock on the front of the bed but I can't make it out.

    My main concern is the primitive tool mount and apparent lack of calibrated protractor guide for the compound slide. It comes with both 3 & 4 jaw chucks, faceplates, some screw cutting gears, cutting tool bits, drill chucks, etc and an assortment of spanners. Providing it all works and there is no obvious damage or excessive wear it is fair value for the asking price, (I think). Obviously the headstock end guards are all missing so I'll need to do something about that. Any thoughts or comments welcomed. What do you think would be a fair price to pay?
    Whole lathe.jpgTool Carraige.jpgGears.jpg
    Last edited by Grahame Collins; 18th Jun 2018 at 03:26 PM. Reason: Title changed at request of the OP

  2. #2
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    Default

    hi I would say that is a very basic lathe , I think these were sold through a large US chain store - Sears or similar. Depends on what your are planning to use it for and how much space you have . Myself, I would look around for something else. There are many many lathes around , more than you think.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    hi I would say that is a very basic lathe , I think these were sold through a large US chain store - Sears or similar. Depends on what your are planning to use it for and how much space you have . Myself, I would look around for something else. There are many many lathes around , more than you think.
    Thanks for your post morrisman. As a retired Metalwork teacher I am fully aware that it is a basic lathe. I am also aware of the sales chain through US markets for Atlas / Craftmaster Sears etc. I was hoping someone could identify the actual model.
    There are lathes around but not many 240 V single phase. If I wanted to drive for a few hours to Forster Tuncurry I could buy a Sieg Hi-Torque for half retail price. I know I can buy one of 3 Hercus 260s currently available from Gray's Online for a couple of hundred bucks, but I don't have 450 V 3 phase power (mistake when building shed remote form house), and changing motors will just add to the cost and trouble.

    For my basic purposes this lathe will probably suffice and it is compact and 240 V single phase. As I'm old school I can probably make it do what I need it to.

  4. #4
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    Default

    while the photo is blurry, I am sure I can make out the name "Advance" on the name plate of the lathe in the first photo.

    I had one of these. they are small but relatively capable with small stuff, but do have imitations with the size. this one seems abit more basic in that I cant see that it has any half nuts, and the talistock base seems different. Check the headstock bearings for play , as these required constant oiling to prevent wear.

    ....actually just looking at some images of my old Advance, mine didn't have the half nuts (some better optioned models did) but mine had the same dog type clutch lever on the left end of the lead screw as pictured on this one pictured above.

  5. #5
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    Default

    If the lathe has a full nut, I'd suspect the leadscrew to be very worn, even with limited use. Does it come with any other chucks or accessories.

    Three phase really is no issue these days. I'm a sucker for old machines but even I would buy an import before I went for that boat anchor.

    Best of luck either way, I would say that lathe has about $300 worth of usefulness including a margin for nostalgia.

  6. #6
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    Default

    I also looked at the pics (before reading beyond the original post) and spotted 'ADV' on the nameplate and automatically assumed Advance as well, as I know that there were similar lathes so branded, though I haven't personally seen them in the flesh.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

  7. #7
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    Have a look on Lathes.co UK website; Atlas lathes
    There is a large listing of your lathe to look through.
    Hope this helps,
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  8. #8
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    Well thanks to all for your input. I would agree with Zsteve's identification that this is indeed an Advance lathe and not the Atlas as described in the ad.
    Thanks for the tip about the bearings.
    I'm about to do some reading on it as suggested by KBs.
    Caskwarrior, the lead screw appears to be in OK nick from this picture, Lead Screw.jpg, but I won't know till I look at it. As per OP it does come with both 3 and 4 jaw chucks, tailstock drill chucks and some extra change gears (not many) and basic tooling.

    Depending upon my investigation, I will determine if it is actually worth the ask price (starting price). I don't need it to be anything special so I'm not needing to be overly fussy.

    Does anybody have experience with the Sieg SC3 HiTorque? SIEG SC3/400 HiTorque Lathe

  9. #9
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    A question for Caskwarrior: What do you mean 3 phase really is no issue these days?

    It is if you don't have it in your shed because you stupidly decided not to do it when you had an electrician on site running underground cables to save a few bucks 15 years ago. The way I see it you either need to hook 3 phase up to the shed (huge cost) or buy suitably powered and mounted single phase motors to replace existing.

  10. #10
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    Sorry glivo I should have been clearer, single phase to three phase Variable Frequency Drives are available from China at such a low cost that any old three phase motors can now be run at Home. If you search for Powtran here there are numerous threads.

    They are easy to set up, although they involve mains voltages so be careful etc etc.

  11. #11
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    Default

    Also interestingly I haven't seen a square form leadscrew like that before.

  12. #12
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    Default

    Thanks for that. I'll investigate.
    Perhaps the square form thread is to reduce the wear factor from having the full nut mechanism permanently engaged.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    Also interestingly I haven't seen a square form leadscrew like that before.
    That's because the square thread form is excellent for transmitting thrust but a right b*tch getting a pair of half-nuts to engage nicely.

    I like square threads, they're easy to cut but only for fully engaged nuts.

    PDW

  14. #14
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    Thanks Pete that makes absolute sense, also look what came up in warrandyte today.

    https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F273305409557

  15. #15
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    Default Vfd

    Interesting.
    That is pretty much the exact same machine with a few extra bits like the steady and the milling attachment. It has obviously been mounted onto the stand with a different motor and a home made countershaft assembly. Id say the motor needs a new start up capacitor if you have to pull the belt to start it. It doesn't appear to be as well preserved as the one I'm looking at and I'm nowhere near Warrandyte. It will be interesting to see how the bidding goes if at all.

    I've found a guy selling 2 Fuji FVR E11 for $100 each. Maybe worth buying one of those and opening up the lathe possibilities.
    Last edited by glivo; 18th Jun 2018 at 03:11 PM. Reason: Additional information

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