Logan 922 Lathe

Got a shot at an old Logan lathe. Probably from the 1940s. Flat belt drive with 220v motor. He says it’s a 11 inch swing and 36 inch centers and supposedly lots of extras. That’s about all I know at this point.

Curious what you machinist types out there have to say about this. Too old? Too new? Good machine? Bad rep? Asking price is, in my best Dr. Evil voice, One THOUSand Dollars.

Aaaannnd….GO!

 

Oh I dunno. I have 2 junk drill presses that make me angry every single time I use either one.

Going to look at it after work tonight.

 

I picked up a Wards Powr-Kraft (made by Logan) about a year ago. I am learning and will never be a precision machinist, but damn it is handy. There is a company Logan Actuator that sells parts... www.lathe.com

Here is my machine. Photo Index - Montgomery Ward | Powr-Kraft - 74TLC-2130 | VintageMachinery.org

 

Looks nice JW. Thanks for the lead on the Logan parts.

The one I looked at doesn't come with nearly as many extras as I thought. Has the collet clamp (?) holder thing but no collets. It would use 5C collets. It does have a quick change tool post and the original lantern style, or parts of it, are in the box. Also has a turret style tail stock.
It's not under power so I couldn't see it run. 3 phase motor. Has some wear on some pins on the apron and quite a bit of backlash on the cross feed. About .045 which in my mind is a lot. Maybe not. I dunno.

I really like to hear it run. Old dude says he paid 1800 for it a thousand years ago and never ran it. He wants a grand. I'll probably walk away. There seems to be a lot of work there and a lot of unknowns without hearing it run. I dunno. I may have a second look at it. It is about the perfect size for what I think I want but that's about all I can give it for now.

 

I think it would be a good size but that backlash.... some machines are an easy fix, others are not.

The Southbend I borrow is a bit too small of a swing once you get the tooling on it. For a jeep it is good to be able to turn the drive shafts and tie rod. You would want a steady rest, 3 jaw, and 4 jaw chuck.

Don't forget you han do some horizontal milling with a lathe that has a big swing.

 

So, the old dude is going to power up the lathe for me and he also just bought some other tooling that he will include. Not sure what he bought. A coworker is running the in between for us. They are neighbors. So, the story isn't over yet. Not sure when the next chapter will be written though.

 

I grew up with a 1940’s Logan 800 (825?) series with a standard-change (wood box with stacks of gears). Later we picked up another with a quick-change. They are good small lathes, as long as they aren’t worn out. They use a bronze bush in the headstock. There should be no play at the chuck/spindle. Check the ways, especially closer to the headstock end. Some of that crossfeed slack may be able to be adjusted out. How many chucks? 3 jaw, 4 jaw, reversible jaws?
Ditch the 3 phase motor for simplicity. The more tooling, the better because you can spend more on that than the lathe itself.
-Donny

 

I have a Pow R Kraft lathe that I love. It’s loosey gooosey, but with care gets most things done. I’m currently using it to make Dana 300 intermediate spacers but that is far from precision. Make sure the bed ways are true, I’d recommend a 3 jaw Chuck , a rotating center. The more tooling the better. Tooling is ridiculously expensive.

 

Owner couldn't get the lathe to work but has since got it running, purchased additional tooling to sweeten the deal. Doesn't make sense to me to buy extra stuff for something you're selling but he's an old timer and seems like a good guy. He still wants to offer the whole enchilada, now for $100/month until it's paid for or he dies. Whichever comes first. The lathe, a Bridgeport he immediately described as "worn out" and the 3 phase converter. And some lessons. And he gets to come over and use the stuff a couple times a year when he wants to make something.

Hard to pass on this deal. But I really have no space that I want to give up for the Bridgeport at the moment. What a pickle. It's a sweet deal I think. He originally offered it all to me for 3200.