Old Craftsman Metal Lathe - useful for knife making??

Col Defender

Col Defender

Joined
Nov 11, 2011
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Hi all.I have found an old Craftsman Metal Lathe in the back of a shed. It can be mine if I just crawl over all the junk that is in the way and wrestle it out of there. I don't seem to be able to get a picture up but it is small and mounted on a table. It has an external 110v motor which drives the lathe with a stepped pulley and an unguarded belt. I'm wondering whether to go for it. I have no machinist training, don't know if all the bits and pieces and accessories are there, don't know how to run it but could learn I suppose.

Do you guys think I should try to grab it and figure all that out later? And to what degree would it even be useful in knife making?

All ideas, serious and humorous are definitely welcome. Thanks.
 
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It looks very much like the picture in comment #2 just above though I cannot say for sure that is the exact model. Might be fun to play with! :-)
 
Yep, if it looks anything like the photo, go for it. Price is right anyway. I'd expect it to be comparable to HF's mini lathe in the $400 or so price range. I don't know if you can cut threads or not - don't see the gears for it, but do see the thread dial... I think anyway.
 
I'd take it. Dunno if you can use it for knife making but I'd get it just to have it!
As the man says "he who died with the most tools, wins!"

Although your children will probably curse your name whilst cleaning out the crap in your shop.
 
Heck yea, turn thumb studs, pommel nuts, make neat stuff. Grab it.
If you don't want it send it to me:)
 
A.McPherson said:
I'd take it. Dunno if you can use it for knife making but I'd get it just to have it!
As the man says "he who died with the most tools, wins!"

Although your children will probably curse your name whilst cleaning out the crap in your shop.
Click to expand...

Thank you. And your comment about my children being unhappy with me is most apt. What I am doing is cleaning out the junk in my recently departed father in law's shop. Huge mess with a small treasure scattered here and there. :)
 
My in laws are thinking about selling their house now, and quite frankly I'm looking forward to raiding their garage!

:p
 
I have that same one in the picture. Late 1940s manufacture.
Despite no indicators on the toolfeeds, Its a great little machine if you are just freehanding work or getting by on measurements, and trial & error.
Even if you dont end up using it, I think they are popular & Its worth a few bucks.
Mine was missing most of its gearset to move its carriage, But managed to extrapolate the measurements & hobbed up a set of aluminum gears. (Its originals were diecast zinc, so mine are probably more accurate & last longer anyway...)
 
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I'd be all over that. I want one for making wood pins, but that's pretty specialized. Some folks use a lathe for handles to some extent (wa handles).
It is probably worth 300-400 depending. Maybe more.
 
I don't know how fast this one will go but I use a Craftsman wood lathe for finishing edges on leather work, sheaths etc.

Working on a sheath prior to wet molding:

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On a folder belt sheath:

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On a belt:

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We use this on almost every leather project we make. Whether simple or fancy. Ladies spur straps

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A BBQ outfit for a fellow BF member:

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TK Steingass knife.
 
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