Gunsmiths & Machinests - your comments please considering a Logan Lathe

[pertnear]

I'm an amateur & would like to take up machining as a hobby. I need some advice on a lathe I found near-by on Craigs list. There is no model number & not a lot of info. Would this work for gunsmith hobby work (i.e. barrel work)? Is it way too old or too big? Is Logan made in USA & good stuff?

Your comments are most appreciated....TIA

https://waco.craigslist.org/tls/5828859300.html


(https://waco.craigslist.org/tls/5828859300.html)

[truck]

I would think it is too big for gunsmithing and according to what he wants in trade, it may be overpriced.

Logan is a good machine and made in the U.S.A..

[Der Gebirgsjager]

It's a hard question to answer. You and the seller need to establish a dollar value for the lathe at which he would be willing to sell it and you to buy it. Trading for a hot rod or a pick up is just kind of nebulous as to value. The next bit of advice would be to take along one or two machinists to look at it with you. Since you are admittedly an amateur you'll need an expert to spot anything that isn't right. You'll also need to know if there are any accessories or tooling that come with it, and if not, what is missing that you'll need to acquire from another source, and since it's not a new machine if such items are available at all. Things like 3 and 4 jaw chucks, drill chuck, back plate, steady rest, tool holder, etc., etc. I would not say that it is too large if you intend to do barrel work. If the price exceeds $4,000 you might start looking at a new machine from Grizzly. Welcome to the trade/hobby--hope it works out for you.

[country gent]

For $4000,00 or so dollars a very nice 13X6- monarch gap bed lathe with gear head and guick change gear box can be purchased, it may even have taper attachment and digital readout on it. Also for about that money a hardringe solid bed 8X24 can be purchased and bothe these have close to an 1 1/2" hole thru the spindle. If there are any equipment jockeys in your area stop in and see what they have on thier floors and prices. Also keep in mind moving a bigger machine can get involved.

[skeettx]

Craigslist says
good working Logan lathe is a 12 inch swing $2000
Not bad!
Mike

p.s.
READ THIS
https://waco.craigslist.org/tls/5828859300.html

[M-Tecs]

If you are doing rifle barrel work the size is about right. For me I would want 1 3/8 thru the spindle and 32" between centers minimum . Age of the machine is not really important but wear is. Spindle bearings and bed ware are the biggest concerns. Some of the old variable speed machines used vacuum tubes that can be an issue.

http://www.sterlingmachinery.com/10168/Logan+2500/

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-and-history/logan-lathes-they-good-value-113114/

http://www.lathe.com/faq/index.html

[Slam'n Salmon]

I bought a 13x36 clausing lathe with taper attachment from a reseller out of a high school for 3500. It has seen little use but some abuse. 3phase 220 but I bought a rotary phase converter for about $500. Realy nice tool for $4000 1 5/8 through the headstock so you can put a barrel blank through. The smaller ones make you work between centers.

Goes down to 40 rpm nice for chambering

[samari46]

My first lathe was a 6"x20" from craftsman. Just barely was able to cut doen a heavy 22rf barrel for my 10-22. After that little episode the realization that at one point I'd need a lathe with a bigger hole in the headstock. Since i'm in what is called the oil patch here in louisiana I figured that it would be easy to find a lathe that would suit me. Man was I ever wrong,I found exactly one lathe on a side road and asked around for directions. Gent told me 5 grand and what you see is what you get. Ciovered in rust as it was out in the open and the wires looked like they were pulled from the junction box. Ended up getting a Jet 13x40 gearhead lathe and stand tool box two chucks,some tools,faceplate, steady and follower rest and a lantern tool holder. Think I spent close to 2 k getting more stuff so's I could actually use the lathe. Last time i used it I had bought some aluminum 3' round stock from the junk yard to make up into barrel vise bushings for my barrel vice (Brownells) I made about a dozen bushings with 1/2"pilot holes and split them on one side. Frank

[tim338]

Logan is a great lathe however this one looks like a import to me. Did Logan outsource some of their machines? I know Southbend did. My concern would be parts availability and accessories. A more common machine may be easier in the long run.