Old Metal Lathe

[UpperTinicumFarm]

Good Day All,
We have had an old Metal Lathe in our shop for as long as I can remember. My Grandfather picked it up from somewhere and it's been stored in the corner collecting dust ever since. Now after 40 some years we have decided it no longer belongs on the farm. I have some pictures attached, it's in great shape and literally just moved it outdoors under cover this morning. It is a "The Rahn-Carpenter Co." Cincinnati O. U.S.A. We have a bunch of tools, bits, chucks, and accessories that have sat with it. It's been retro fitted with a Delco Dayton Ohio electric motor. We are looking to sell it, but we really don't have an idea of what it is worth, or where to post it. I figured here was a good spot, at least to get a conversation going. So please hit me up, i'd love to have a discussion on this relic of the past.

 

[jCarroll]

Good Day All,
We have had an old Metal Lathe in our shop for as long as I can remember. My Grandfather picked it up from somewhere and it's been stored in the corner collecting dust ever since. Now after 40 some years we have decided it no longer belongs on the farm. I have some pictures attached, it's in great shape and literally just moved it outdoors under cover this morning. It is a "The Rahn-Carpenter Co." Cincinnati O. U.S.A. We have a bunch of tools, bits, chucks, and accessories that have sat with it. It's been retro fitted with a Delco Dayton Ohio electric motor. We are looking to sell it, but we really don't have an idea of what it is worth, or where to post it. I figured here was a good spot, at least to get a conversation going. So please hit me up, i'd love to have a discussion on this relic of the past.

When you write the FOR SALE ad I suggest you include "loading is available" if you are able to provide that.
Keep the "cutting oil" pump oil can - it was your grandfather's.

 

[Steve in VA]

When you write the FOR SALE ad I suggest you include "loading is available" if you are able to provide that.
Keep the "cutting oil" pump oil can - it was your grandfather's.

Good advice.

 

[super99]

Why is it that people come on here wanting to sell something, asking for values but can't even put what state or country they are in??

 

[DanielW]

That's a solid-looking lathe. But unfortunately they don't seem to bring much around here. And yours doesn't have a self-centering chuck (unless there's one on the shelf I'm not seeing), nor steady rest, nor thread dial, and it has the lantern-style toolpost. Although that lathe would work just dandy as-is, most folks buying any lathe will want to have those changed out. And most folks buying old lathes shy away from heads on babbitt and flat belts (even though they'd do just fine for them).

I bought a 1950's McGourlay lathe sitting at a local yacht club not that long ago. About the same size, a little newer (double V-belt drive), but it also had the original lantern toolpost and only a four-jaw chuck. But it did have a dandy steady rest and a lot of good tooling to go with it. I got it for $200. I think that was a good, but not a 'sensational' deal. It probably would only have fetched $500 at the very most if the seller really held out for a higher price. And I've seen others at auctions go for scrap price (or less).

It's unfortunate, because that lathe would probably work dandy for many decades to come. But most folks wanting a home small-scale shop lathe will pickup on of the many Craftex/Busy-Bee style ones that are everywhere and have with forward/reverse/multi-speed, self-centering chucks, and modern toolposts. Loads of new and used ones are available cheap, and (rather unfortunately) those cheap lathes do just dandy for most folks at their home/farm shops.

I'd suggest listing it for $500, but being very flexible on price. Make sure you clean up, show and describe the ways as being in good condition (assuming they are), as that's a key thing folks are going to look at. A good place to post for sale and find out other thoughts on value (and history) would be vintagemachinery.org. Lots of info about the Rahn company on there. And folks on that site are obsessed with this kind of thing.

 

[Fawteen]

Not worth a great deal. Depends largely on the condition of the ways and the chuck(s). Doesn't appear to have provision for change gears for threading.

If the motor runs, the ways have no major dings or pitting, the chuck(s) are usable after disassembly/cleaning/lubrication, the saddle and crossfeed work and the compound is tight, perhaps $300-$500 to someone looking to get into metal lathe work cheaply.

I was GIVEN a similar unit (Seneca Falls Star 30), put a fair bit of work into making it reasonably usable, added several accessories (steady rest, 4 jaw chuck, forward/reverse switch) and when I was ready/able to move up to something a bit more modern I sold it for $300.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Where is it?

 

[urbancase]

i have 2 lathes older south bend and a newer lebond, i would be in the 500 dollar camp. going to take some work to get it were it should be.

 

[used red MN]

Why is it that people come on here wanting to sell something, asking for values but can't even put what state or country they are in??

I also agree on why the location quite often requires the act of “ turnip squeezing”?? It appears “an” (as in one instance) Upper Tinicum Farms is located in Black Eddy, PA.

 

[DPittman]

My son in law would drag it home in a heartbeat but he has no place to stuff another piece of hardware in his hoard.
I’m thinking that might be a “what the market will bear” piece

 

[Ray,IN]

Not worth a great deal. Depends largely on the condition of the ways and the chuck(s). Doesn't appear to have provision for change gears for threading.

If the motor runs, the ways have no major dings or pitting, the chuck(s) are usable after disassembly/cleaning/lubrication, the saddle and crossfeed work and the compound is tight, perhaps $300-$500 to someone looking to get into metal lathe work cheaply.

I was GIVEN a similar unit (Seneca Falls Star 30), put a fair bit of work into making it reasonably usable, added several accessories (steady rest, 4 jaw chuck, forward/reverse switch) and when I was ready/able to move up to something a bit more modern I sold it for $300.

Those old belt-driven lathes weren't much good for cutting accurate threads due to inherent belt-slippage. That appears to be made in the early 1900's. Unless he finds a collector it isn't worth much today.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Those old belt-driven lathes weren't much good for cutting accurate threads due to inherent belt-slippage. That appears to be made in the early 1900's. Unless he finds a collector it isn't worth much today.

They don't use the belt for threading... that's why it has a brass tag with a threading chart to select the appropriate change-gears for the desired thread pitch.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

They don't use the belt for threading... that's why it has a brass tag with a threading chart to select the appropriate change-gears for the desired thread pitch.

Right the belt just turns the head, gears determine the thread pitch.

 

[37 chief]

Good Day All,
We have had an old Metal Lathe in our shop for as long as I can remember. My Grandfather picked it up from somewhere and it's been stored in the corner collecting dust ever since. Now after 40 some years we have decided it no longer belongs on the farm. I have some pictures attached, it's in great shape and literally just moved it outdoors under cover this morning. It is a "The Rahn-Carpenter Co." Cincinnati O. U.S.A. We have a bunch of tools, bits, chucks, and accessories that have sat with it. It's been retro fitted with a Delco Dayton Ohio electric motor. We are looking to sell it, but we really don't have an idea of what it is worth, or where to post it. I figured here was a good spot, at least to get a conversation going. So please hit me up, i'd love to have a discussion on this relic of the past.

I would say around $300, and take $250. Stan

 

[greenmech]

I would try Face Book Market Place. Start out high, you can't ask more later. Ron MN

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

I'll start the bidding at $1!

Do I hear two?

Mike

 

[Mark-Ia]

Too bad you put it outside even though you covered it. Moisture is hard on a Metal Lathe.

 

[CEP ACB]

The "Old Woodworking Machines " website has a section for old metal working machines.
and also a classified section.
It's similar to this site but instead of tractors they collect machines , you can get more in your barn.

Making sure you're not a bot!

 

[timcasbolt]

I would try Face Book Market Place. Start out high, you can't ask more later. Ron MN

Starting out high chases away the informed buyer. Then all that's left are the tire kickers.

 

[Ray,IN]

They don't use the belt for threading... that's why it has a brass tag with a threading chart to select the appropriate change-gears for the desired thread pitch.

So the belts don't power the turret speed?