Fair price- SOUTH BEND Lathe from old timer

[scratchedup]

I would like to purchase this from a friend of a friend...he's a great old guy (84) but he has no idea of the value of this machine.

Its in an enclosed trailer in his back yard. It is functional.

With research I could probably come up with some time buy with all the fire power on this site...

I'm new and a little late to the machine tool party...this would be for hobby use .

 

[SeattleKent]

Maybe $1,000. Maybe more since there is a lot of tooling included. Maybe $1,500 max.

 

[rsanter]

That looks like a lot of great tooling with that machine.
Plus taper attachment and other stuff.
If the lathe is running and is still tight I would give him $1000 and feel like I got a good deal can see $1500 no problem assuming good condition and tight like I said.
It looks like he also has some metal material blanks or something like that. I would want to try to get those as part of the deal. Never know what you could use them for like pullies, brackets or you can even sell them

Bob

 

[rusty65]

Yeah I agree if the lathe is in good tight condition 1000-1250 would be a fair price. Also it appears to come with a fair amount of tooling and what appears to be a milling attachment.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[Zrexxer]

That's the exact same lathe I learned on about 35 years ago. Given the condition of everything (rusty) I'd say probably more like $750 tops.

 

[scratchedup]

more PICS

 

[DocsMachine]

It's not bad, but it's not as great a deal as you might think.

It's an older Model A, which I believe has plain headstock bearings, not rollers. Check the spindle closely- if there's any wobble or slop, it's a nontrivial job to fix, and the machine's effectively worthless until repaired.

Some of the tooling shown doesn't go with that machine- the collets look like 5C, though it's hard to tell scale. That lathe can't take 5C collets unless you buy a separate collet chuck. The spindle's too small. I also don't see a collet closer anywhere in the junk.

And those Armstrong-style toolholders (on the slide-out tray) need a lantern-style toolpost, which I don't see in there, but which would be hiding amongst the debris. (And are easy and cheap to replace anyway.)

In orher words, the tooling, while good eye candy, and certainly nice to have, is irrelevant if the machine itself is in hard shape. Check the cross-slide and compound for slop in the screw, check the spindle for slop and wear, look for noticeable wear on the bed, etc.

It wouldn't take much of any of that to bring that from a $1k machine down to a $500 machine.

And if you do buy it, before you do anything serious, clean it thoroughly.

Doc.

 

[zkling]

Nice old, well tooled 9" model A with underdrive and long bed. Hard to determine condition from pics. Is it single phase? When was it last ran? Been oiled? Without further inspecting I think ~$1000 would be fair, could go up or down. There is quite a bit of tooling but questionable in condition. It's a nice home hobby machine.

The headstock is plain bearings and the collets for the spindle are 3C.

 

[larry_g]

I'm goingto go in at the higher prices being 12-15 hundred. Assuming that you are getting all that you have shown in the pictures and guessing a few things.

Guessing that there is a complete collet setup there?
Guessing that the steadies are there?

I see a taper attachment, $250
I see a Jacobs spindle chuck, $75
I see a milling attachment, $100+

A fair amount of cutters and drill bits.

So without the lathe ~$500 worth of accessories that could be more. So if you have no machining stuff in your shop this is worth a bit more to you than someone who is just looking to flip it for profit. When getting started in the machining hobby I bought a few setups like this, kept the cream of the crop and sent the rest down the road.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bryanrj]

I am more in the $750 tops camp. If the milling attachment is South Bend, they can go for $200 alone though. I don't think that is a taper attachment, but not sure. Looks more like the mounting bracket that goes onto the rear way to hold a collet rack. But it is not mounted where it should be.

Rust is an issue, but not a show stopper. A lot of TLC will be needed to take care of that.

 

[Whitworth]

It's hobbiest' lathe for small projects and part making. Not very fast at material removal. Precision depends on condition of wear surfaces and rigidity, which that machine lacks.

It's on a nice factory stand. $750, give or take.

Gary

 

[tdkkart]

Start at $750, go to $1000 if you have to.

A gallon of 409 or Simple Green and a scrub brush or scotch bright pad will fix most of it's problems. My Clausing was twice that dirty when I bought it.

I did spot the lantern tool post for the Armstrong holders, it's in the drawer with the drill bits, next to the drill chuck.

 

[404]

Start at $750, go to $1000 if you have to.

A gallon of 409 or Simple Green and a scrub brush or scotch bright pad will fix most of it's problems. My Clausing was twice that dirty when I bought it.

I did spot the lantern tool post for the Armstrong holders, it's in the drawer with the drill bits, next to the drill chuck.

With all due respect to water based cleaner, some charcoal lighter fluid, kerosene, or gasoline would be safer and more forgiving, unless the new owner is going to strip the lathe into individual components for cleaning.

Work outside. Wear gloves.

 

[RPH]

Really gasoline for cleaning? Death wish 2014 in the making. Never use gas for cleaning ! Yes it works but the other suggestions are much safer. One would like to live without scars to use it.

 

[scratchedup]

Nice old, well tooled 9" model A with underdrive and long bed. Hard to determine condition from pics. Is it single phase? When was it last ran? Been oiled? Without further inspecting I think ~$1000 would be fair, could go up or down. There is quite a bit of tooling but questionable in condition. It's a nice home hobby machine.

The headstock is plain bearings and the collets for the spindle are 3C.

110 volt single phase. Not sure when it was last run.

 

[paulsomlo]

It's a 10" lathe, specifically, a model 10k, also known to South Bend fans as a "light 10". It does have a taper attachment and appears to have a full set of 6k collets, which were specific to the 10k model. It's also a V-belt drive to the headstock, which while not super rare, is not overly common. It's seen as more desirable by some, as the V-belts tend not to slip as the flat belts do. The milling attachment is not South Bend, but most likely an Atlas, which while usable, will not bring the stratospheric prices on ebay that can be expected from an original South Bend version. As for the rest of the tooling, for the most part it's the usual detritus that comes in a bucket with most used lathes. The factory cabinet with the underneath motor drive was the most desirable configuration. If the bed is not worn, which means little or no ridge near the top of the carriage V ways, I think a fair price would be $1000, not over $1300.

 

[Danglerb]

Fair price depends on the local market, nobody is going to buy and transport it some long distance.

What I would do is talk with the owner, find out when it was last used, impress on him that you are new to the machine shop hobby and you want to find a solid old machine and put it back to use, then ask what they would like to get for the whole thing.

I would resist making an offer, falling back on "I don't know much about them".

Could be like a lot of old guys he would like to see it taken care of and put back to use more than getting top dollar.

Could be he needs some fixed amount of money and this is what he has to sell.

I'd also be sure about what the "whole thing" is before getting too specific on price.

 

[whitedogone]

1000-1250 minus 250 for cleanup

 

[Tim338]

That is a nice lathe I think at a $1000-$1200 you would be getting a great deal. It looks well tooled, it has a taper attachment, milling attachment, thread dial, etc.... It also has the v-belt pulleys which makes it a 16 speed. If it did turn out to be worn out (I doubt it is) you could part it out and still make money. Buy new oiling felts, and the rebuild book, some paint and you would have a really nice lathe.

 

[Notgrownup]

So are you gonna offer him something?

 

[Outlander]

That's the exact same lathe I learned on about 35 years ago.

^^ this, 30 years ago. Thanks for posting the pictures. Give it a good home, please.

 

[scratchedup]

This is Jack and my friend Chip closing the shed door-

More of belt-

Thanks for all the great help.

 

[zkling]

It's a 10" lathe, specifically, a model 10k, also known to South Bend fans as a "light 10". It does have a taper attachment and appears to have a full set of 6k collets, which were specific to the 10k model. It's also a V-belt drive to the headstock, which while not super rare, is not overly common. It's seen as more desirable by some, as the V-belts tend not to slip as the flat belts do. The milling attachment is not South Bend, but most likely an Atlas, which while usable, will not bring the stratospheric prices on ebay that can be expected from an original South Bend version. As for the rest of the tooling, for the most part it's the usual detritus that comes in a bucket with most used lathes. The factory cabinet with the underneath motor drive was the most desirable configuration. If the bed is not worn, which means little or no ridge near the top of the carriage V ways, I think a fair price would be $1000, not over $1300.

Ah, he would be correct. I was going off memory, had to check the catalog number. It is a light 10" and not a 9" as I previously said.

 

[John in OH]

That is a nice lathe I think at a $1000-$1200 you would be getting a great deal. It looks well tooled, it has a taper attachment, milling attachment, thread dial, etc.... It also has the v-belt pulleys which makes it a 16 speed. If it did turn out to be worn out (I doubt it is) you could part it out and still make money. Buy new oiling felts, and the rebuild book, some paint and you would have a really nice lathe.

+1 !! I would agree with most of the others, reasonably worth between $1,000 to $1,500.

 

[Indexmill]

Hi,

Go here:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/

John.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have a question about this type lathe, can you do woodwork with this or is it strictly for metal...I know it's main purpose is for metal but can it be set up for wood also with the proper attachments? Is it worth having for both.

 

[CoopVA]

I have a question about this type lathe, can you do woodwork with this or is it strictly for metal...I know it's main purpose is for metal but can it be set up for wood also with the proper attachments? Is it worth having for both.

It's designed to turn metal. I suppose you can turn whatever you want on it. You may have to get creative in setting up the differant style of tooling though...


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[Notgrownup]

It's designed to turn metal. I suppose you can turn whatever you want on it. You may have to get creative in setting up the differant style of tooling though...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What I thought but wasn't sure....I want a wood lathe....will get one after I am done with other stuff

 

[Boilerhouse]

Value depends on tooling and lathe condition. The tooling seems to be covered, for guidance on what to look for when buying a used lathe, Mr. Pete on You Tube has a video, also Tony at lathe.uk has suggestions.

 

[Dan Jacobs]

I'd have a hard time offering that guy a low price
Heck I'd pay full price just to listen to his story
The picture of his hand on the Milling attachment is priceless

 

[Dmar836]

Flat ways there, no?
I wouldn't want to stick it to him either. I think I always talk myself into market prices. I can't bring myself to take someone as a sucker to my gain. Anyway, market is likely what these suggestions are without it out, cleaned, and running IMO. Many are quick to assess the value of selling off extras but I'd have a hard time making a buck off this guy.
I'd be honest and just ask him what he thinks he'd like for it. If he says, "$500", give him $1000+. If he says, "$3000", tell him you will put the word out for him.
To me, if I'm thinking in the $1500 range, and I'm not just trying to help the guy out, there are other similar options out there.
Jmo,
Dave

 

[ritzblitz]

I had a 10k with a lot of tooling. 4ft before like yours, colkets, etc. No taper attachment though, and it wasn't a cabinet model with the underdrive. Yours has nice options.

I'm not wanting to burst your bubble here, but I thought it was junk. The 10L is a significantly nicer machine.

After selling my 10k, I went to a Clausing 5941 and sold that too. Eventually ended up with a 10ee. Now we're talking...

If you haven't run a lathe before, then that's ok. Having ran nice lathes at my day job, the south Bend just didn't cut it. It was fine for brass and stuff, but as stated before, it's a hobby lathe, not for heavy material removal.

Id give him 750 tops. If he's your buddy, then maybe a little more. If the tooling wasn't rusty, I'd give more, but everything seems rusty and a bit weathered. Mine was in much better shape, appearance wise.

With all of that being said, you'll be really happy with it if it's your first lathe.

 

[scratchedup]

I guess it will come down to the condition of the main body(?)...flatness/no wobble.

The rust will be a PITA.

Problem is its well over an hour drive out in the boonies of rural Georgia.

Just hate to think of it sitting in that trailer/shed in the humidity....

Indexmill thx for the link...+ seems like I've seen dedicated South Bend restoro sites before.

 

[ritzblitz]

You should be able to level the lathe out to get any twist out of the bed. That's usually a non issue. You've got to see how rusty it actually is. It doesn't look terrible from the pictures, but if the bed is pitted, id walk away unless you can get it cheap.

You can get kits to restore these on ebay. They come with a good book even. I got one for mine and took the apron and carriage apart, it was fun.