Photo Index - Sears | Craftsman - 101.21400

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Sears | Craftsman
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
Atlas Press Co., Kalamazoo, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Metal
Machine Size:	6x18
Submitted By:	Mike Fendley

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	101.21400
Date of Manufacturer:
Serial Number:	010628
Last Updated	1/6/2021 5:53:05 AM

Comments:

Atlas 6” metal lathe tagged “Craftsman” but with 1x10 spindle threads. Model # 101.21400. Tooling is as follows: Jacobs armature chuck for spindle; Jacobs brass jawed armature chuck for tail stock; 3 jaw chuck with both sets of jaws; 4 jaw independent chuck; lantern tool post; 0XA tool post with tool blocks; all change gears in handy aftermarket 3D printed storage box; steady rest; follow rest; forward-off-reversing switch; face plate with lathe dog; 2 different styles live centers; MT2 and MT1 dead centers; MT2 spur center: 1/4” and 3/8” capacity MT1 drill chucks; milling cutter draw bar; and a 5/8” Gear wrench with ratchet lever - attached to modified tail stock nut. This lathe was given to me as partial payment for restoring a 1934 Atlas 9” metal lathe that I completed with all tooling and stand. The 6” lathe however, was a basket case, rusty, parts missing and broken. Most of the tooling I acquired online. A friend of mine asked to restore it for me since his 6” was still on a boat coming back from India. We both machined two missing parts, repaired the intermediate shaft tower, replaced the broken cross feed and compound feed handles with chrome plated steel handles about the same size as he originals. The lathe was de-rusted, painted green on the outside and red on the inside, and all exposed parts polished. On many 0XA QCTPs people have ground away part of their compound, or ground away a corner or two of their 0XA tool post. My friend came up with a better solution. In making the T-post to hold the QCTP, he off-set the post in the T! No grinding on lathe or tool block. A great solution! I added the taller lock nut to the tailstock with a “levered” ratcheting Gear wrench. With the tall nut the wrench is captured and can’t leave the lathe. To lock or unlock the tailstock you merely flip the little lever to change direction. The motor pulley (along with the motor) was missing so I machined a new pulley from files off the internet and wired the 1/2 hp motor for forward and reverse. (I would rather have used a 1/3 hp, but the 1/2 fit and I had it on hand.) Both steady and follow rests were given new brass jaws. The cast iron legs I picked up at a garage sale years ago (before I got the lathe) for $20. They were from a 1939 Porter-Cable wood lathe but fit perfectly for the Atlas 6. I also mounted the new Grizzly mobile base to the entire set up to make it semi-mobile in the shop. Step down on the two foot levers by the head stock end and it pops up level with wheels off the floor. I added a used Kennedy tool box underneath for all the tooling and some turning stock. If I ever end up in a nursing home, the lathe is going with me! I’m still looking for the mica under cutter for this lathe as I do a lot of armature work. I have a milling attachment for a 10-12” Atlas and a 9” follow rest that obviously won’t fit this 6” but will be used for trading stock in the future or for a Mica Cutter.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front with all tooling
Source: Mike Fendley

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Photo 2:

Comments: Armature chucks
Source: Mike Fendley

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Photo 3:

Comments: Off-set T post for 0XA
Source: Mike Fendley

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Photo 4:

Comments: Corner clears compound
Source: Mike Fendley

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Photo 5:

Comments: Ratcheting locking wrench
Source: Mike Fendley

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Photo 6:

Comments: Back side
Source: Mike Fendley

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