Atlas Lathe Serial Numbers

PART NUMBER and Name of Part 3. Model and Serial Number of Lathe voneg acres s— Sample Fe as aN Ordering Parts By Mail conoee ue 40356 9-8 RAM ror-19 NUT ror to' uaThe THES (036703 Be sure to give MODEL ond - SERIAL nonber owe onslete, Igcted et tllatek end of lth bee, PSEEVES NOTE: On Lats without thi lt, MODEL and SERIAL. Here is an image from a reader that nicely rebuilt and restored this Atlas 10 inch metal lathe model V42 with serial number 05140. This is a older version of the Atlas 10 inch lathe, because it has babbit bronze bushings and doesn’t have a pull knob to engage the power cross feed on the apron.


In article <337EEB...@mopac.com>, Jim McIlvaine <mcil...@mopac.com>Identify your Lathe and it
Help identifying this Atlas lathe - The Home Machinist!writes:

>The widow of a retired machinist is interested in selling an Atlas
>Model # 111 S/N 8722 lathe. I had about a 5 minute look at it
>last evening. The lathe appears to be 12' swing by about
>40' between centers. I'm not qualified to properly evaluate condition,
>except that it certainly appears to have been well cared for. Don't
>know whether headstock bearings are babbit or timken. Bed does not
>appear to be what everyone here describes as flat, but has inverted
>V front and rear. Also, this machine has a QC gearbox. Plenty of tooling


>also, including 3 & 4 jaw chucks, taper attachment, set of collets, and
>steel floor cabinet.

(snip)

>... could anyone
>help with the following:
>Any info on age and 'official' specs of this machine?
>Is this an Atlas or an Atlas-Clausing?

ATLAS, CRAFTSMAN, DUNLAP & AA | The Hobby-Machinist

Craftsman 6x18

Model 3160 - Table Saw - Excellent ...

I think this must be an Atlas-Clausing, made after Clausing became part of
Atlas Press Co. Clausing started in Ottumwa IA in the 1930's. I think
Atlas Press acquired Clausing since lathes marked Atlas Clausing then came
out of Kalamazoo (where Atlas was located). This merger occurred, as far
as I can tell, in the late 40's-early 50's. I have never been able to get
more precise information as to when this happened or the nature of the
combining of the 2 companies. In the late 1970's-early 80's the company
changed its name simply to Clausing. Someone at the time suggested to me
they wanted to distance themselves from the low end image of the flat bed
Atlas (and Craftsman). About this time production of the Atlas and
Clausing lathe lines was discontinued. They no longer make lathes in this
country. They import, as they have for decades, the British made
Colchester as well as a lower priced line made, I believe, in Spain.

I have two phone numbers for Clausing:

Clausing Service Center in Goshen IN at (219) 533-0371 or at their
Kalamazoo location at 616-345-7155. Either or both may be able to tell you
the age from the serial number. For some reason Clausing lathes are not
listed in _Serial Number Reference Book_.

I had a Clausing Model 111, made in Ottumwa. At the time it was the top of
the line, having a clutched countershaft as well as a quick change gear
box and inverted vee ways. (I suspect Atlas acquired Clausing originally
in order to upgrade their lathe line). Swing was 12' over the bed, 8' over
the carriage with 36' between centers. Spindle bearings were tapered
Timken, there was a plate on the headstock so stating. 48 threads, 4-224
tpi on the quick change. Spindle nose was 1 1/2'- 8 tpi. Hole through
spindle accomodated a 3/4' diameter bar and it used 3C collets. In a lot
of ways it was a bit nicer than the flat bed Atlas. I don't know what year
the Model 111 was discontinued. Atlas-Calusing continued to develope and
improve their 12' lathe through the 1950's and 60's. By the time they quit
making the 12' in the late 70's-early 80's its features included an L-00
spindle nose, 1 3/8' capacity through the spindle and a variable speed
drive.

I sold mine because parts, in general, were no longer available (half nuts
in particular were worn, I didn't have the skills to make replacements and
this was 1979 so there was no RCM to turn to for help).
I can't recommend for or against purchase. Given all the accessories (even
a taper attachment) though, it sounds pretty good. Maybe one of the
machine tool dealers that frequently contribute here could suggest a fair
price to offer the widow.

See More Results

David Lindquist
David...@aol.com