Atlas lathe, never used only admired.

[cijuanni]

Life imitates art.

Like the rockumentary spoof of Nigel Tufkin and his guitar that has never been played.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/P-NgeXl-PPA

"This lathe is Pristine ....Immaculate ....Awesome ....and Perfect !!!! It has taken me over twenty years to collect all the tooling and accessories that go with this lathe .... my pride and joy ! I got it from the original owners who said he only used it twice .... me on the other hand I have never used it....just kept it in my heated shop admiring it and always buying extras for ....I think I was addicted to it ...ha ha .... I have spent over $3000.00 on it over the years and now because I am down sizing and moving I have decided to let it go . The pictures will show you the condition and value to it ....there is some original poster lubrication charts and manuals and other items that are not in the pictures but, they too will go with the lathe ....Please no low balling whatsoever ....it is truly worth what I am asking for it and more ....It is museum quality .... Thank You .... You will own the nicest one out there if you purchase it !!!!!"

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/5902560325.html

[tyrone shewlaces]

My first lathe was an Atlas of that vintage. It didn't take long before I didn't want to use it anymore. Compared to what I got after that one, it was a piece of crap. Of course mine was beat up and worn out badly, which I'm sure was most of the reason it didn't perform well whatsoever. But they were built to be sold at a low price - materials and design resulted in a lathe with comparatively low life built-in. For home use Atlas would probably be just fine. That one looks pretty darned well-outfitted. I'd much rather have what I've got now, but for the right guy that's probably not a bad deal. I wouldn't pay any more than that for sure - pretty much top dollar without gouging, IF it's in as good of condition as claimed.

Oops wait a minute. Mine was a 12", not a 618. That's way more expensive than any 618 is worth.

[tincture500]

Where is it located. City?

[cijuanni]

Where is it located. City?

Don't you see the CL link???

[mattthemuppet]

I saw that. No objection to the collecting for the sake of collecting, but he's a bit optimistic on the price

I do like my 618 alot, especially compared to what I had before, but if I could get $3000 for it I'd sell it in an instant and buy a bigger/ better/ newer lathe.

[Mcgyver]

I hope with all the proceeds he goes and buys a camera

[steve45]

My first lathe was an Atlas of that vintage. It didn't take long before I didn't want to use it anymore. Compared to what I got after that one, it was a piece of crap. Of course mine was beat up and worn out badly, which I'm sure was most of the reason it didn't perform well whatsoever. But they were built to be sold at a low price - materials and design resulted in a lathe with comparatively low life built-in. For home use Atlas would probably be just fine. That one looks pretty darned well-outfitted. I'd much rather have what I've got now, but for the right guy that's probably not a bad deal. I wouldn't pay any more than that for sure - pretty much top dollar without gouging, IF it's in as good of condition as claimed.

Agreed! I picked up a 6x18 for $400 and it was junk. My second lathe cost 3 times as much and was 10 times as much lathe!

[flylo]

There's no motor & not that many accessories as it appears, like all the change gears are counted seperate in a box instead of on a rack. 4 drill chucks, the quick change tooling. I have original motors new in Atlas boxes, should be worth $500 each if that lathe is worth that. I have the same thing with more goodies, collets, drawbar, etc. Don't offer 1/2 his price unless serious. I once bought the last 6"x21" square head still shrink wrapped on heavy cardboard, brand new & thought I could sell it for a bunch, think I was lucky to get $800 maybe less. I bought my 618 for $148, I didn't have 2 singles as it was $150 well tooled & love it but understand it's limitations & have bigger lathes for bigger jobs. Go on the Atlas forum & they hold 1.25 millions you know .0000000125. Just ask them boys. I have $500 says it won't sell for that, any takers? This should be in the Humor section LOL!

[JCHannum]

The 618 is what it is. I have seen a lot of good work done on them, and a lot of lousy work done on much better lathes.

If the lathe were pristine, which it is not, and fully equipped with Atlas accessories, which it is not, it would command a premium price but I would still consider $2500 over optimistic. I did have a very well equipped 618 with just about all accessories, including the bed extension. It was in excellent condition, I think I got $1200 for it.

[DS_park]

Where is it located. City?

If the CL map is accurate, the lathe is actually about 20 min West of Portland where HWY 26 changes to two lanes. Also a really good place to drop back to the 2 lane speed limit....

As my wheeling and dealing father-in-law always said. The value of something is exactly what someone is willing to pay for it at the time of sale. Add to that how badly the seller wants or needs to sell.

[KiddZimaHater]

Wierdo..
Why would he buy all of that tooling, and (supposedly) NEVER USE the lathe?
Something's fishy.

[pinstripe]

Yep. What are the odds that both owners basically never used it? This isn't a two-dollar impulse buy at the checkout.