What's this LeBlond worth??

[Ringo]

There is a LeBlond lathe for sale not too far away.
It is the Regal, 15 x 54?, three phase machine. I know it is 15 swing, but not exact on bed length, I think 54. It is overall over 8' footprint.
This is earlier than the servo-shift model, this has the 4 levers up on the headstock.
I'm thinking this is vintage 1965 or so.
I looked at it, the bedways are pristine. When I say pristine, they almost look like chrome. This is a low time machine.
Here is the kicker, there is no steady rest for it, It is not there.
There is 2 4jaws, a 3jaw, a small faceplate, a follow rest,
And no center rest.
It is 3 hours away driving time.
If this had its center rest, I would be all over it, but the ctr rest is not there.
What should I do?
I hate to think of the price to go to Leblond and outright buy the center rest?
What does that cost?

[sarge41]

You didn't mention the price, but everything else sounds good. These machines in that condition don't come along every day. If the money is not a problem, go buy it When you mention ctr rest, are you meaning the steady rest or the follower rest. Neither is such a big deal. The steady is more important, but can be fabricated. I have made a couple myself. Did you get to run it, and listen to it? That is important. If it is noisy or has any knocking in the machine,beware. In my part of the country, a lathe of your size will bring about $2500.00 to $4500.00 depending on whether it is a dealer or an auction and condition. Good luck.
Sarge41

Another point worth mentioning, what is your experience level. Are you an experienced machinist, or maybe a beginning hobbiest? These things matter.

[flathead4]

There are several on eBay right now for comparison. You say steady rest and center rest. Are you talking a out the same thing? How often do you think you will use a steady rest? In the last ten years I used my steady once to help friend thread the end of a barrel for a muzzle brake.

[Ringo]

steady rest is not there.
it is not powered up.
it is from a school university engineering shop
I'm thinking it might go for $1500
with 2 burnard chucks
1 other chuck is not indentified
follow rest is there

[Rich Carlstedt]

4 to 6 K
Rich

[SVS]

I agree with Rich. Any less is a steal. Ways are shiny because they are replaceable steel inserts. May not be as good as they look. Put replaceable in air quotes cuz you’d have to find/ afford them, install them and then I think, have them ground in place.

Steady rest can be found, built or repurposed from another lathe if you buy the lathe right.

[754]

If not having the steady is a issue for you, time to rethink your needs.
far easier to build a great steady rest than to turn a flimsy wetnoodle lathe into a better lathe.l

[Doozer]

Hey Ken,
Yeah, what is with the steady rest fetish ?
Easy to adapt from another lathe or make one?
Like complaining a new car does not have enough cup holders.
There are a few on ebay if you know what you are looking at.
If I remember our conversation, you have a Logan lathe and a
Craftsman Atlas that you are not really using. Are you going
to upgrade and replace both of them? It seems like a good
move to me.
--Doozer

[Ringo]

Hey Ken,
Yeah, what is with the steady rest fetish ?
Easy to adapt from another lathe or make one?
Like complaining a new car does not have enough cup holders.
There are a few on ebay if you know what you are looking at.
If I remember our conversation, you have a Logan lathe and a
Craftsman Atlas that you are not really using. Are you going
to upgrade and replace both of them? It seems like a good
move to me.
--Doozer

perhaps.
I just dont know how far to bid with it, pay to transport it, wait for both Logan and Atlas to sell and move out.......
acquire phase converter, get a steady rest, and so on, and worst of all, wait for the wife to cool off after getting another machine,,,,,

[Tungsten dipper]

perhaps.
I just dont know how far to bid with it, pay to transport it, wait for both Logan and Atlas to sell and move out.......
acquire phase converter, get a steady rest, and so on, and worst of all, wait for the wife to cool off after getting another machine,,,,,

A lot of negatives there; maybe you should pass and have a happy wife!

[Glug]

This is one of those cases where it is better that people don't know where you are. I am sending a reply via PM.

[754]

The two other lathes might pay for that one..

[Doozer]

A lot of negatives there; maybe you should pass and have a happy wife!

If his wife is the right woman, she would support her man on his decisions.
Got trouble in your paradise ?

-D

[Doozer]

This is one of those cases where it is better that people don't know where you are. I am sending a reply via PM.

Why? Afraid someone gunna steal his lathes?

-D

[Ringo]

That would be my happy wife angle,,,,,2 for 1 !!!