A little about me. I live in Central Texas, an hour above Austin. Any one in the area, please let me know. My user name is "Oliver 2-44" as I have a 1965 Oliver 2-44 loader backhoe at the farm that I keep running/using. I had several machine shop classes 40 yeas ago, and have been around shops and working with machinist all my working years in the Hydro Power and Dam Maintenance area. It's ironic, but because I knew the Hydro Equipment I've had machinist repair tiny governor parts, to 12 ft water wheel, babbit bearings, etc. But, I've on had my hands on a machine a few times over those years. Usually just to clean up a bolt or emery polish a shaft. so I really am a newbie at setting up and running the lathe.
Now that I'm recently retired, I recently purchases a 10x36 Atlas QC54, serial# 090699 to use for my Antique Garden Tractor Hobby, Farm Projects and Everything else. I need to build a new stand for it, as its came mounted on a piece of office furniture. I know it's not a heavy duty lathe, but it will get me started. Before I brought the lathe in the shop I took a spray gun and a gallon of thinner and cleaned everything thoroughly. Then I used the Atlas lube chart to re- lube everything. Over time I probable need to learn to adjust the carriage gibbs, center the tailstock and any other adjustments.

Recently I was trying to setup a small engine PTO Pulley in the lathe to machine the clutch surface on the back side of it. While doing this I backed the cross side off the screw. I've read it should re-engage by pulling the cross slide towards the front and cranking the handle. But I'm having no luck doing this. I don't know the specifics about the split nut arrangement, but It almost seems like the split nut is closed and not letting it re-engage. I've tried it with the nut open and closed with no success.
I'd appreciate any help with how to fix this. also any suggestions of a stop or something I can use to gauge so I don't do this again.
Also does anyone have a source for an On/Off switch that will fit in the opening on the lathe. It's currently wired to a residential light switch mounted on the side of the cabinet. If that or a similar switch is not available, I would also be interested in any recommendations for a good machine switch. Can I use a Forward/Reverse drum switch on this original motor?
Any pictures of lathe stands welded metal or wooden would also be appreciated.
I'll have more questions as I learn more and I also need to start buying & making some tooling for my lathe.
I have a general manual, but a parts manual with exploded view of parts would also be healpful
Thanks.
Now that I'm recently retired, I recently purchases a 10x36 Atlas QC54, serial# 090699 to use for my Antique Garden Tractor Hobby, Farm Projects and Everything else. I need to build a new stand for it, as its came mounted on a piece of office furniture. I know it's not a heavy duty lathe, but it will get me started. Before I brought the lathe in the shop I took a spray gun and a gallon of thinner and cleaned everything thoroughly. Then I used the Atlas lube chart to re- lube everything. Over time I probable need to learn to adjust the carriage gibbs, center the tailstock and any other adjustments.
Recently I was trying to setup a small engine PTO Pulley in the lathe to machine the clutch surface on the back side of it. While doing this I backed the cross side off the screw. I've read it should re-engage by pulling the cross slide towards the front and cranking the handle. But I'm having no luck doing this. I don't know the specifics about the split nut arrangement, but It almost seems like the split nut is closed and not letting it re-engage. I've tried it with the nut open and closed with no success.
I'd appreciate any help with how to fix this. also any suggestions of a stop or something I can use to gauge so I don't do this again.
Also does anyone have a source for an On/Off switch that will fit in the opening on the lathe. It's currently wired to a residential light switch mounted on the side of the cabinet. If that or a similar switch is not available, I would also be interested in any recommendations for a good machine switch. Can I use a Forward/Reverse drum switch on this original motor?
Any pictures of lathe stands welded metal or wooden would also be appreciated.
I'll have more questions as I learn more and I also need to start buying & making some tooling for my lathe.
I have a general manual, but a parts manual with exploded view of parts would also be healpful
Thanks.
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