free metal working lathe

stickman · #1 07-24-2007, 09:07 AM

I might have a chance at getting a free metal lathe.The only problem is I have to move it myself .Dose anybody know how to move such things?

cerndog · #2 07-24-2007, 11:34 AM

How big is it?

My dad has one that's 10 feet long and is so heavy he can only lift one end at a time with a crane!

I think he drug it over pipe rollers to get it into the shop.

Hopefully yours isn't that huge- usually a crane and a truck with a low-bed trailer can haul heavy equipment over a long distance.

mc

stickman · #3 07-24-2007, 01:53 PM

mc, thanks for your response .Its about 6-8 foot long I think its a southbend.

from what your describing it looks like it could be expensive .

sbirkes · #4 07-26-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickman

mc, thanks for your response .Its about 6-8 foot long I think its a southbend.

from what your describing it looks like it could be expensive .

I also came by a free one. I ended up taking is apart down to 4 or 5 basic pieces. The bed and stand were still too heavy for me and my son to lift. We made ramps to get it from the truck to the shop. Scary business. Was worth it.

brianh · #5 07-26-2007, 05:44 PM

If it is a south bend 9" lathe 2 preferably 3 strong men can get it the back of a pickup I got one at a high school auction its heavy but manageable.

Take as many accessories off that you can before moving the chuck and tool rest come off easy enough.

If it is bigger than that dismantling it will be an option.

stickman · #6 07-28-2007, 10:28 AM

brianh and steve, I was talking to my neighbor (who has a machine shop in his basement)and he said setting the lath back up after taking all that stuff off can be tricky. any thoughts ?

Bob_in_TN · #7 07-28-2007, 02:23 PM

First, that thing is very top heavy. It will do a flip before you know it.

You can take off the chuck and tool rest as already stated.

Don't take anything apart that disorientates the bed from the chuck, if you don't have the tools to realign.

They can be quite heavy, also check power requirements, I've seen free things get very expensive.

Good Luck, and reread my first sentence.

sbirkes · #8 07-29-2007, 10:44 AM

I agree with the alignment problems. But I had no problems. I didn't take the bed off of the base and I believe that helped me out. Getting the head and tail stock back aligned wasn't a problem.
Also as to the top heavy flipping problem: yes, my lathe had outrigger type wheels on the base so that made the base more stable. Also having the head and tail off lowered the center of gravity a lot.

stickman · #9 08-04-2007, 11:52 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I've been on vacation from work and they might give it away before I return.Poor timing ,oh well if its there when I get back great if not it was'nt ment to be. there was also an old sears band saw also so maybe I will come away with something anyhow.A band saw would be very handy.