Atlas Sphere Lathe

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Does anyone have a manual for the Atlas Sphere 5" lathe. I have just bought one off ebay and would like to get hold of a manual iff possible. I have checked lathes.co.uk and they don't have one. The lathe is the same as the atlas 10" lathe. When I bought it I did not realise how big the lathe was but I have it in the shed and working.

It was a bargain and I cant wait to start using it but I need to get a new tool post for it. My small toolpost's don't fit on the lathe

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Manual Required

[Robert DoddsParticipant @robertdodds43397]

Mike,
Atlas carried various other names including Craftsman See
http://cholla.mmto.org/machining/lathe/
for a deluxe version with q/c gearbox and
http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/t/h/thib9564/Atlas_Lathe.htm
Both sites have several links to parts lists diagrams etc.
I have used a Tee bolt in the compound slide slot to secure a Myford Q/C toolbox on my Atlas. The only extra I needed was a 3/8 raising plate to get the tool up to centre height.

Bob D

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Thanks Robert

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I bought one of these (branded Acorn) in the 1970s and I'm still using it. I wouldn't swap it for the overpriced Myford. In fact Myford s seem to have based their lathes on the Atlas design but reduced in size.

I have a copy of the "Manual of Lathe Operation" published by Atlas but can't scan it for you as it amounts to about 250 pages. It is very useful if you can find a copy.

There are a few second hand copies listed here

Mike Kern, formally of Acorn Tools, used to sell spares in the UK. Don't know if he is still trading but you could try telephoning him on 01344 883417 (evenings)

If you have any specific questions please ask.

Russell

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

There is also (I think) a copy of that manual listed on Amazon.co.uk.

Thought that looks interesting when idly browsing yesterday, but I do not use an Atlas machine.

link

Edited By V8Eng on 05/07/2012 21:27:25

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Thanks eveyone for your help. I spent yesterday afternoon making swarf and everything seems to be working ok.

I think I may have got myself a manual for the lathe and the website that Robert gave me had the speed and feed tables that i was looking for.

John, I have sent you a PM about the photo's.

Once again thanks everyone for your help. i am sure I will be back asking questions soon

Mike

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I do have a few pics of some mods I did to mine to make it even better, not build articles, but

How about putting them in an album here? I'm sure lots of people will be interested.

Russell

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Could somebody take a picture or a sketch of the end of the TDI as I have found that mine is missing.

I will try giving Mike Kern a ring to see if he still does spares

Thanks

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Bogstandard2

We accpet avatars as long as they are not offensive or don't infringe copyright.

regards david

[websnailParticipant @websnail]

I too have the "Manual of Lathe Operation" published by Atlas, my copy dates from 1937, iss1 and cost 1 Dollar. Great book. It came with my Atlas lathe.

Edited By websnail on 06/07/2012 21:41:31

[Robert DoddsParticipant @robertdodds43397]

Mike,
If you haven’t got the full manual take a browse through this site
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=51&tab=3

It has over 100 Atlas downloadable docs and there is a 62 page threading supplement on the 10F which has lots of gear setups and thread details.

Bob D

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by Mike Wainwright on 06/07/2012 18:38:42:

Could somebody take a picture or a sketch of the end of the TDI as I have found that mine is missing.

I will try giving Mike Kern a ring to see if he still does spares

Mike used to list both the complete TDI and all the parts in his spares list so you might be lucky. If not PM me and I will take some photos and give you the dimensions.

Russell.

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Thanks Russell

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

after a day of playing with the lathe i have 2 more questions

The lathe came with a Watson 4 jaw chuck but no chuck key. I have found that it is a 9/32" hex. Does anyone know if there is a chuck key available for this or where I would get a T handle wrench for this.

2nd Question. I have been trying to setup the change gears so I can have the auto feed working but the gear on the leadscrew seems to be stuck. It was working before I stripped all the gears off it. I setup the change gears with clearance but it seems to be solid when I try to turn it over my hand. Any ideas. I have managed to break the 20T change gear while trying to turn it over. I need to buy or make another couple of these as they are used in most set up's

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

I have just won a manual for this lathe on ebay for £4.69. I hope it is the right one.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Sorry – no information on Watson chucks.

John is right about the key on he leadscrew. It just needs a bit of "jiggleing" to free things. The gears should slip on and off the leadscrew easily. They are a light press fit on the bushings and it is easiest to make a stepped mandrel to fit in them to press them out..

You should have two 20T gears in the set. Have you managed to contact Mike Kern? He used to list them.

The gears are made from Zamac and are not too fragile if used correctly. When setting up the gear train use a piece of paper between each pair of gears to give the correct clearance. I haven't broken one in 35 years of use. The only real problem with the Zamak parts is if you have a very early model with a die cast top slide.

Russell.

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Thanks John and Russell

I am going to wait until the manual arrives before I do anything else on the change gears.

Cant seem to find anyone that sells a 9/32" Allen Key so I am going to make a new Chuck key. That should keep me busy until the manual arrives.

I am going to try to contact Mike tonight to see if he still has any spares for the lathe.

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Just spoken to Mike Kern and he is posting the parts I need tomorrow and he is including exploded drawings of the lathe as well.

He believes that one of the gears in the gearbox has lost a tooth and jammed. He has the right hand gear but not the left. Anyone taking bets I have damaged the left gear.

Anywhere I don't mind. I like my lathe and have found it has powered cross feed as well. I would have paid more for the lathe so if I have to buy a few spares then I have lost nothing.

Thanks for the information about Mike

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Glad you're sorted and to hear that Mike Kearn is still in business.

Russell.

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Sorry to be back again but after speaking to Mike Kern I need to strip the reversing gearbox down to find out which gear has jammed.

Has anyone striped down or removed the reversing gearbox from the leadscrew. I have the manual and the parts list now but I cannot see how the gearbox is detached from the leadscrew.

If anyone needs to contact Mike Kern I have his email address.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

No problem. Just remove the right hand leadscrew bearing and you should be able to slide the leadscrew out of the gearbox and then remove the gearbox.

Bon chance!

Russell.

[Mike WainwrightParticipant @mikewainwright87512]

Thanks John and Russell for your help.

Managed to get the gearbox off the leadscrew and found no damage to the gears. The change gear end of the gearbox was stuck in the bearing.

Hopefully a clean up in the lathe and everything should be working.

Thanks again for your help and assistance with this problem.

Mike

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