W F & J Barnes lathe, what do I do with it? (2025)

Hi all,

This is my first post on this forum.

I have a W F & J Barnes lathe that I am helping a friend figure out what to do with. I'm trying to figure out what it's worth if anything. I listed it on CL, but I think I've listed it too high. Someone offered me $150 for just the legs, but it seems sad to demolish something so old.
I don't know any other real details, other than it was my friends dad's who passed away a long time ago. It's been sitting in the garage unused for probably 30 years. It still turns on and runs, but I didn't try to actually operate it. It looks like it's been modified, but I am guessing.

I appreciate any insight someone could give!

Send it .....

Send it to me freight paid and I'll tell you what it is worth!!

Ray

Sadly, parting it out with the legs going first is probably the best way to go. That lathe was likely foot powered at one time with the counter shaft added later (you could get it either or both ways).

These old girls are not really of much interest or use although some people have them and do some useful work on them.

It is not uncommon to buy then in this condition in the $150 to $250 range depending on location and the interest of the buyer.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Ed

PS.. Just love foot powered machinery Foot Powered Machinery

rockcombo said:

you should not have to much trouble selling it for a reasonable price in this area , there are ready buyers , it's just that your craigslist ads have been very optimistic on the pricing . you have listed it too high and most people that know about these lathes wouldn't have even made the effort to look. I almost posted your first craiglist ad over here for laughs because it was so outrageous .
whoops sorry , I was thinking of the guy who keeps posting the 1900s Blunt lathe on spokane craigslist for 8000.00 and now 5500.00 , you where high , but not that far in dreamland
Brice

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Phew! Glad that wasn't me I had mine @ $1000 OBO because I really just didn't know.

rustytool said:

Sarita33, Do know if it is a #5 or a #4 1/2 ? Should say on the brass gearing chart on the left leg. Greg.

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Greg, it is a 5. I tried to send you a pm a few hours ago but it's saying I have no sent messages (?) Did you get it?

I've had a barnes #5 for sale, fairly complete, only 3 of the back gears, only one face plate, no steady rest, but all in working order, which I finally broke down and sold just the legs from as someone was willing to pay more for the legs than I was asking for the whole lathe. I'm focusing my efforts (very slowly!) on a 4 1/2 which I have that has all the treadle components.

Parting out a lathe is a hard choice, and I'll be honest with as complete as that one appears to be, i'd be hesitatnt to part it out.