Atlas Craftsman Metal Lathe Resource CD

I have been working to purchase some basic tools to allow me to perform basic metalworking.  One of the first items I purchased was a Craftsman Atlas Metal Turning Lathe Model 101.07403 Catalog number 2079 12x36-inch metal lathe.  One of the biggest challenges I faced after I bought the lathe was finding a good source for information about the lathe, its operation, and the various parts and attachments for it.  In my search for information I was able to obtain the following documents that I have compiled into a single CD that I am offering to sell to others that may also need this information.  The CD is Windows compatible and contains files prepared in PDF format along with a number of photos in JPEG, BMP, and GIF format which should be easily viewable.

Atlas Press Co. "Manual Of Lathe Operation and Machinists Tables" (276 Pages!) This is a PDF copy of the 1937 "Manual of Lathe Operation" published by the Atlas Press Co.  The manual indicates "This manual of Lathe Operation has been prepared to provide fundamental and concrete theory, as well as operating procedure, for students, apprentices and vocational schools".  The manual is written around the 12 inch diameter swing Atlas back geared metal lathe but it also covers the six inch, ten inch, and twelve inch models of this lathe that were produced under both the Atlas and Sears "Craftsman" brand names and later under the "Clausing" brand name.  The manual contains information on all aspects of machining, including background on lathe construction, shipping, set-up, operation, and methods.  This basic design is the same for virtually all manual lathes made up to the present.   Newer lathes will have much more complex gearing, although easier to setup, and may be more robust in their construction but the basic operation doesn't change appreciably until you enter CNC lathe operation.  Even then knowledge of the basic layout, tool selection, drive speeds, tool feed rates, material setup and support, etc. all are necessary to the safe and productive use of any lathe. Some topics covered in the manual include: Lathe Set-up Metal cutting methods Cutting tools (types and uses) Machining of various materials Holding work Drilling & Boring Threading & thread cutting Attachments (types & uses) Woodturning Machining Tables

South Bend Lathe Works 39th Edition  "How to Run a Lathe"(128 Pages) This is an extremely high quality scan and PDF conversion of the 1940 39th Edition of the South Bend Lathe Works book “How to Run a Lathe”.  The book is 128 pages in length and the book was carefully disassembled to allow me to get excellent full-page scans of every page in the manual.  I.      HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LATHE The Tree Lathe; Early French Lathe; Maudslay Lathe; Modern Bench Lathe; Modern Standard Change Gear Lathe; Modern Quick Change Gear Lathe; Tool Room Lathe; Lathe Drives;  The Size of Lathe; Types of Lathes for Various Classes of Work; Features the Lathe Should Have II.      SETTING UP AND LEVELING THE LATHE Setting Up and Leveling the Lathe; Lacing and Splicing Belts; Shifting Belts; Adjusting Belt Tension; Oiling the Lathe  III.      OPERATION OF THE LATHE Principal parts of a Lathe; Operation of Headstock; Spindle Speeds; Operation of Carriage and Apron; Operation of Tailstock; Power Carriage Feeds; Notes on Lathe Work IV.      LATHE TOOLS AND THEIR APPLICATION Types of Lathe Tools; Position of Lathe Tool; Grinding lathe Tool Cutter Bits; Cutting Power of Lathes. V.      HOW TO TAKE ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS Steel Scale; Outside Calipers; Inside Calipers; Hermaphrodite Calipers; Micrometers; Accuracy of a Lathe VI.      PLAIN TURNING (WORK BETWEEN CENTERS) Locating the Center; Drilling Center Hole; lathe Dogs; Inserting and Removing lathe Centers; Checking Alignment of Centers; Mounting Work Between Centers; Cutting Speeds; Facing; Turning; Machining to a Shoulder. VII.       CHUCK WORK Independent Chuck; Universal Chuck; centering Work in the Chuck; Removing Chuck from Spindle; Hollow Spindle Chuck; Drill Chuck; Draw-in Collet Chuck Head, Hand Wheel and Hand Lever Types. VIII.      TAPER TURNING AND BORING Taper Turning with Compound Rest; Taper Boring with Compound Rest; Taper Turning with Tailstock Set Over; Taper Turning with Taper Attachment; Plain and Telescopic Type Taper Attachments; Plain and Telescopic Type taper Attachments; Morse Standard Tapers.  IX.      DRILLING, REAMING AND TAPPING Using Lathe as a Drill Press; Drill Pad; Crotch Center; Drilling Work Held in Chuck; Reaming; Tapping.    X.      CUTTING SCREW THREADS Standard Screw Thread Terms; Standard Change Gear Equipment; Quick Change Gear Equipment; Screw Thread Tables; Tools for Cutting Screw Threads; Use of Compound Rest; Thread Cutting Stop; Cutting Threads; Thread Dial; Screw Thread Forms; Metric Screw Threads. XI.      SPECIAL CLASSES OF WORK Knurling; Face Plate Work; Filing and polishing; Lapping; Machining Work on a Mandrel; Spring Winding; coil Winding; Boring on lathe Carriage; Use of center Rest; use of Follower Rest; Manufacturing Operations; Milling in the Lathe, etc.

Parts List for Craftsman 12-inch Metal Turning Lathe: This is a 300DPI Scanned copy of an original Craftsman Parts list that I converted to PDF.  The parts list that I have covers the following Atlas / Craftsman metal lathes: Model Number Catalog Number 101.07403 2073 (18" between centers) 2075 (24" between centers) 2077 (30" between centers) 2078 (36" between centers) 101.27430 2073 (24" between centers) 101.27440 2073 (36" between centers)

Operating Instructions and Parts List for Craftsman Six-Inch Turning Lathe Model Number 101.21400Eight page PDF copy of the original manual for the 101.21400 Sears Atlas Lathe with description, operation and controls, adjustments, cutting speeds, reading the gear chard, mounting the work; cutting tool bits, indexing, threading, lubrication, and several pages of detailed parts diagrams with parts lists!

Sears Craftsman Owners Manual for Model Number 101.28980 and Model 101.28990 Metal LatheTwenty Four  page PDF copy of the original manual for the 101.28980 and 101.28990 12-inch metal  turning lathe made by Atlas Lathe works for  Sears and sold under the Craftsman name.  Includes sections on assembly, installation, operation and repair parts.  Following is a list of topics from the table of contents: Installation (mounting and leveling), Lubrication, Control and Operation (back gear controls, changing spindle speeds, headstock, quick change gear box, carriage, tailstock, sequence of engaging controls, chucks and faceplates) Maintenance and Adjustments (Preventive maintenance, adjusting gibs, adjusting spindle bearings, adjusting compound cross feed cranks, adjusting lead screw safety clutch) PLUS Extensive Parts Index with 9 pages with exploded diagrams of all parts of these lathes with all parts labeled with part number and description.

Operating Instructions and Parts List for Craftsman Lathe Model Number 101.21270 Six page PDF copy of the original manual for the 101.21270 Sears Atlas Lathe.  Includes complete diagram with parts list, threading chart, and full operating instructions.  Some of the operating instructions include:  Leveling, lubricating, adjusting the compound slide, carriage adjustments, headstock and tail stock adjustments, motor requirements, cutting speeds, back gear operation, tool bits, chucks, threading gears, etc.

Operating Instructions and Parts List for Craftsman Lathe Model Number 109.20630 from Nov 1945Seven page PDF copy of the original manual for the 109.20630 Craftsman Lathe with adjustment information including leveling, lubrication; motor requirements; speeds; back gears; RPM calculation; Setting work; Use of Chucks; Thread gears; Setting up Threading Gears; Cutting a Thread; Parts Diagrams and a Threading Chart!

Instructions and Parts - Atlas - Clausing Corporation  No. 618 6" Atlas Back Geared Screw Cutting Lathe AND No. 12A, 16A Armature Lathe, July 1976 Fifteen  page PDF copy of the original manual for the 618, 12A, and 16A Atlas metal lathes which include instructions for mounting the lathe, countershaft, and motor.  Includes extensive parts diagrams and parts lists, lubrication charts, speed charts and information on setting lathe speed, and wiring information.

Instructions and Parts - Atlas Press Company No. 618 6" Atlas Back Geared Screw Cutting Lathe AND No. 12A, 16A Armature Lathe, July 1972 Fifteen  page PDF copy of the original manual for the 618, 12A, and 16A Atlas metal lathes which include instructions for mounting the lathe, countershaft, and motor.  Includes extensive parts diagrams and parts lists, lubrication charts, speed charts and information on setting lathe speed, and wiring information. NOTE: This is essentially the same manual as above but both are included in case one manual may show something better then the other!

Operating Instructions and Parts List for Craftsman Six-Inch Metal Cutting Bench Lathe Model Number 101-07301 Five  page PDF copy of the original manual for the 101-07301 Craftsman Lathe sold by Sears, Roebuck and Company.  Manual includes:  Description, Operation and Controls overview, Adjustments, Selecting and setting proper cutting speeds,  reading the threading chart, mounting work in the lathe, cutting tool bits, setting the tool to the work, indexing the lathe, threading, using the threading dial, lubrication of the lathe, and complete parts diagram and parts list.

Atlas Lathe Accessories Catalog (21 Pages): The CD includes a 1996 Atlas lathe parts catalog that includes 21 pages with descriptions, catalog numbers, and photos of accessories and attachments for the Atlas Lathe.  The manual includes attachments for 6, 10, and 12-inch lathes.  Note:  This is actually a scanned photocopy of the original accessory catalog but it is still a useful item to have when you own one of these lathes!

Atlas Lathe Accessories Catalog (14 Pages): The CD includes a 1937 Atlas lathe parts catalog that includes 14 pages with descriptions, catalog numbers, and photos of accessories and attachments for the Atlas Lathe.  The manual includes attachments for 6, 9, and 10-inch lathes.  Note:  This is actually a scanned photocopy of the original accessory catalog but it is still a useful item to have when you own one of these lathes!

Atlas Instructions for No. 760 Taper Attachment One page instruction page with info on how to attach and use the Number 760 Taper Attachment .  Document also includes a diagram and parts list!

Atlas Lathe Oil Charts: The oil chart is a huge image of the Atlas lathe that could be printed to form a poster for your shop.  This image shows all of the key locations that need to be oiled on the 12-inch Atlas Metal lathe.  The CD also included oil charts for the various six-inch atlas lathes as well. Atlas Lathe Threading Charts: The Threading Charts include information and settings used with the Atlas Lathe to obtain various threading combinations when threading metal with the Atlas lathe.  There are several resolutions of these charts included and they could be printed large enough to make a poster for your work shop if you wanted.  The threading charts include the huge charts for the 10 and 12-inch lathes and smaller charts for 6-inch lathes! Old Sears Catalog Pages: I have managed to compile a small collection of Craftsman Tool Catalogs that includes Metal Lathes including 1941, 1944, 1948, 1951, 1953, and 1966.  These catalogs are not specific to the Atlas/Craftsman lathe but do show various metal lathes and the later catalogs do included accessories for the 101 Atlas models. Atlas Technical Bulletins: The CD includes Atlas Technical bulletins on the following topics.  These bulletins have been converted to user friendly PDF format. 12-Inch Back Gear Instructions Change Gear Modification Instructions Gear Clearance Instructions Instructions for Leveling a Concave or Convex Lathe. Lathe Identification Sheet Leveling Instructions Lubrication Chart for 12-inch Metal Working Lathe.

Various Military Lathe and Tool Manuals!   TC 9-524:  MANY PAGES Approx 8.2MB in size Headquarters, Department of the Army. Fundamentals of Machine Tools Training Circular No 9-524This is likely the ULTIMATE Military Machinist Manual!   TM 9-3416-239-14&P:  83 Page 1.7MB TECHNICAL MANUAL OPERATOR’S, ORGANIZATIONAL , DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS LIST FOR LATHE, ENGINE , FLOOR MOUNTED : 19 - INCH SWING MODELS 17E5 AND 19E7 ( LEBLOND INC.) (NSN 3416-00-252-7094)   TM 9-3416-240-14&P:  41 Pages 3.5MB TECHNICAL MANUAL OPERATOR’S, ORGANIZATIONAL, DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS LIST FOR LATHE, ENGINE MODEL B-40 (MC ILVANIE MACHINE WORKS) (NSN 3416-00-725-3508)   TM 9-3416-244-14&P:  73 Pages 1.8MB DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY TECHNICAL MANUAL OPERATOR, ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS LIST FOR LATHE, ENGINE, MOUNTED ON METAL CABINET BASE MODEL 25-451-W/25-651 (3416-00-174-9171)   TM 9-3416-223-12:  39 Pages 0.9MB ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE MANUAL LATHE, ENGINE, BENCH MOUNTED, SOLID BED TYPE, 10-INCH SWING, NO. 2 MORSE TAPER CENTER, 1-3/8 SPINDLE HOLE, 110-VOLTS, 60-CYCLE, SINGLE PHASE 3/4-HORSEPOWER, W/ARMY DWG NO. 7550151 BENCH (SHELDON MACHINE CO. INC., MODEL XL) (3416-517-0955)   TM 9-3416-225-12:  38 Pages 1.0MB ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE MANUAL LATHE, ENGINE, BENCH MOUNTED, SOLID BED TYPE, 10 INCH SWING, NO. 2 MORSE TAPER CENTER, 1-3/8 SPINDLE HOLE, 110-VOLTS, 60 CYCLE, SINGLE PHASE 3/4-HORSEPOWER, W/ARMY DWG NO. 7550151 BENCH (STANDARD-MODERN TOOL SERIES 2,000 MODEL 11 INCH) (3416-517-0955)   TM 9-3416-230-14&P:  51 Pages 1.0MB TECHNICAL MANUAL OPERATOR'S, ORGANIZATIONAL, DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS LIST FOR LATHE, ENGINE TOOLROOM MODEL 1530 (3416-00-517-1051)   TM 9-3416-235-14&P:  66 Pages 1.3MB DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY TECHNICAL MANUAL OPERATOR, ORGANIZATIONAL, DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS LIST FOR LATHE, ENGINE: 9-INCH SWING MODEL CL 670Z (SOUTH BEND LATHE) (3416-00-235-0551)   TM 9-3418-200-14&P:  43 Pages 1.8MB TECHNICAL MANUAL OPERATOR’S, ORGANIZATIONAL, DIRECT SUPPORT AND GENERAL SUPPORT MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR SHAPER, METAL CUTTING, HORIZONTAL MODEL CS100 (SOUTH BEND LATHE) (NSN 3418-00-223-0969)

And More... The CD also has a folder that contains photos of various Atlas Craftsman lathes and lathe accessories.  I have compiled these photos for myself to have images to refer to while working on my own lathe and I figure that if I have found them useful, you may find them useful too!