Mitchell lathe value

[grim_d]

I'm probably going to be acquiring a few machine tools soon with the intention of passing most of them on.

Would be interested to know the group's opinion on the value of this old lump as it may make or break the sale.

I know Mitchell's are not particularly well regarded which is why I ask, it's also that awkward size of lathe that's too big for a home workshop but too small for big work.

Condition appears good, hasn't done any work in probably 20+ years but kept oiled and covered. I've bought machines from him before, they are always decently maintained and honest.

17" swing with gap bed.
Imperial
3 jaw with both sets of jaws, 4 jaw, faceplate, fixed and travelling steady.

I get the feeling the chucks would almost equal the value of the machine.

 

[Seadog]

That looks like a very nice machine.
Woodhouse & Mitchell were quite highly regarded.

 

[pressbrake1]

Unfortunately it’s a Mitchell not a wood house and Mitchell
It’s a older machine with the English pattern bed
Long bed versions have some value but short ones don’t sell at auction even without reserve

 

[pressbrake1]

Ps what’s the distance between centres?

 

[grim_d]

That looks like a very nice machine.
Woodhouse & Mitchell were quite highly regarded.

Not the same maker sadly! Same surname, similar locations...that's about where it ends!

 

[grim_d]

Ps what’s the distance between centres?

48" AFAIK

Unfortunately it’s a Mitchell not a wood house and Mitchell
It’s a older machine with the English pattern bed
Long bed versions have some value but short ones don’t sell at auction even without reserve

So it's value is zero?

 

[pressbrake1]

£500

 

[pressbrake1]

You’ve got to think how cheap a nice 17” lathe can be had for

 

[grim_d]

It'll be staying where it is then. Possibly worth selling the chucks and tooling and scrapping the machine, would make more. Be a shame though.

 

[pressbrake1]

Probably not
Not a heavy machine and some old non cam lock chucks are not exactly exciting
So I take it you’ve bought it

 

[Stupoty]

Nice looking spindle bore size.

Stu

 

[Keith 66]

Well its in much better nick than my late father in laws Mitchell, Its been a good machine but its going to get weighed in now.

 

[grim_d]

Probably not
Not a heavy machine and some old non cam lock chucks are not exactly exciting
So I take it you’ve bought it

Come on. There's easy £500 there in Chucks/Dickson toolpost and scrap!

No I haven't bought it.

I'm only really interested in the 540 in his collection but I'm taking the lot if we can come to an agreement on price.

Nice looking spindle bore size.

Stu

3" I believe

 

[skotl]

So even though I'm now on my second lathe I'm still only 2% of an "expert".

Can someone please help me understand what is wrong with this lathe / the manufacturer that effectively makes it worthless?

Genuinely interested and clueless in equal measure...

 

[pressbrake1]

Not trying to bid you I’m trying to tell you reality of it
A old four way toolpost might be worth a few pennies and old plain back chucks are fodder as well

 

[pressbrake1]

So even though I'm now on my second lathe I'm still only 2% of an "expert".

Can someone please help me understand what is wrong with this lathe / the manufacturer that effectively makes it worthless?

Genuinely interested and clueless in equal measure...

Maintenance shop grade lathe
Not pleasant to use
Not cam lock
Twenty five years ago dealers put them in the scrap

 

[grim_d]

Not trying to bid you I’m trying to tell you reality of it
A old four way toolpost might be worth a few pennies and old plain back chucks are fodder as well

Bid me if you want, save me dealing with it.

I believe you that the machine itself is relatively worthless, I didn't expect much more because it's a Mitchell.

Not talking about the 4 way, there's a Dickson there too.

Plain backs chucks have worth to those with screwed spindles wasn't terribly long ago I sold a 250mm plain back 4 jaw for £200

 

[pressbrake1]

Wow you’re either greedy or lucky
They’re straight to bin
Buy it and mess about trying to recover monies, I don’t care!

 

[Stupoty]

Maintenance shop grade lathe
Not pleasant to use
Not cam lock
Twenty five years ago dealers put them in the scrap

You have definitely been exposed to tooo much top tier lath availability.

Joking aside the size thing makes it hard to move and fit in someware , it's in that weird size of lath as grim_d said.

Stu

 

[grim_d]

@pressbrake1Maybe it's a location thing, much less machine tools and associated bits floating around up here. You are swimming in this sort of stuff down your way.

Or maybe they are getting rare now because people keep putting them in the bin

If I was greedy or lucky I wouldn't be so poor.

Hah, I don't want it really but if it happened to be included with the sale I'd have to deal with it.

You must care a bit... It's in your nature.