Atlas Lathe Serial Numbers

Atlas 10' Model D the original 1936 model with integral 'Vertical-type' countershaft drive fastened to the back of the headstock and bed. In this form (apart from power cross feed 10-F introduced a year later) the lathe had reached almost its final evolutionary form and was to continue largely unchanged until 1957 - and the introduction of the heavily revised '12-inch' model. According to dates scribed on the races, it was manufactured in 1951. My lathe is serial number 32068 (the number is stamped on the top surface of the ways, right above the right lead screw bearing and support. Just for the record, the date stamped on my left spindle race is 8-14-51, and the date on the right spindle race is 5-10-51.

Atlas lathe, 10 inch headstock, motor, cover, atlas craftsman lathe tooling lot. Atlas 10-12 Craftsman Lathe Lantern Style.

>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.

Cached

(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?

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.

The Atlas Lathe - MMT Observatory

David Lindquist
David...@aol.com