Is this lathe any good?

[mattthemuppet]

and $4k + fees is a lot of money for a resto project with no tooling. For a restoration I'd rather put that kind of money into similar sized piece of American iron, be nicer to look at when you're done!

[nickel-city-fab]

Judging by the pic they are asking at least 4x more than what its worth, and no they won't ever get that much for it. But because its govt surplus they won't care, and it'll go to scrap for $300.

[I make chips]

I have to agree with the personal inspection before buying. It looks like a nice low time machine but storage has rusted it up badly.
Here's the pic I lightened up which makes the rust quite visible.

[doctor demo]

It is not really a $ 4000 dollar lathe ,the bidding starts at that price plus a 7.5% premium, and you have to load it yourself.

Steve

[754]

It mihht be a 16 inch swing , but 3 1/8 spindle bore would be very big..

[Ringo]

the specs don't sound quite right,,,,,,7MT taper, 7 1/2hp, 3 1/8 bore, no way that is a 14 x 40 ???

[The Metal Butcher]

the specs don't sound quite right,,,,,,7MT taper, 7 1/2hp, 3 1/8 bore, no way that is a 14 x 40 ???

Yes, of course there is.

Here is a machine that probably has the exact same headstock. Notice the specs are the same. 7.5hp, 3 1/8" bore, 7MT in the headstock. Identical speed range. That's about the smallest size lathe you can buy with that size of spindle bore, but if all you are doing is through bore work, why bother with a big lathe?

https://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/gh-...d-lathe/321910

[Ringo]

I gotta go see that thing.

[wierdscience]

MSC owns Enco and they are still selling that lathe new-

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/64280274

BUT, as others have stated, take a close look before jumping, those ways look pitted.

[Mcgyver]

its an Enco not Emco, house brand of a a budget distributor and afaik made in china. They might be perfectly serviceable for someones intended use, but you are not looking at a medium or high end lathe.

As for value? No one can say unless they've inspected it. The only way I'd buy without seeing a machine is if it was such a rare, best of class machine for such a low price its still worth it even if it turns out to be a complete worn wreck.

I guess I'm spoiled with how much comes up around here, but i'd be under 2000 cdn and wouldn't want it for free if that was all rust (even scrap takes a lot of time & attention....I have no aspirations to compete with the people in the beat up pickups scurrying around on garbage day picking up scrap metal)

[RB211]

Pass

[Ringo]

I'm going to look at it this morning

[The Artful Bodger]

It is not an EMCO and I am pretty sure it is not a government disposal deal either.

[Richard P Wilson]

No, it doesn't seem to be a government sale, but cheques have to be made out the City of Savannah.

Be interesting to hear what Ringo says when hes seen it.

[OaklandGB]

Well....from the main pic, it does appear to have little or no wear from use. Knobs don't have the "finger rub donuts" around them. The back shield has no spatter or chip "chips" and the base is clean like new. No apparent wear on the foot brake either. Seems a bit odd that it is stored but unused though.

Problem is if this is truly an unused machine, it has clearly not been stored well. Reminds me of a pole barn warehouse without climate control, and the cheap plastic drop cloth they put over it a few years ago, shredded and is hanging off it. Leaves the exposed ways etc. to the heat and humidity of Georgia, leaving them in the rather poor condition shown in the pic. Looks like a little more that just surface rust, but hard to tell from this photo.

Inspect carefully then decide.