South Bend Heavy 10

[Nor'Easter]

Hi All-

I figure it's about time to get myself a lathe, as I am tired of having to bother shops for such small projects.

A restored Heavy 10 popped up north of me for $1500, from what I gather from ebay that is a decent price if it is in good condition, which the seller claims.

Any thoughts? Looking to pull trigger today:


This South Bend heavy 10" lathe is one of several that I've restored in order to keep busy in my retirement. The restoration includes a total cleaning, paint stripping, replacement of worn parts, new felts and wicks, and final polish and paint. This 1943 vintage lathe has many more years of use for the new owner. I would consider taking a South Bend lathe in trade ( 13" and under.....in restorable condition).

Lathe features:
- catalog #8187ZN
- serial #137405
- 3 1/2' bed
- 3/4 HP General Electric 115/230 motor single phase
- 5" Cushman 3 jaw chuck
- steady rest
- collet closer
- assortment of collets
- 8 1/4" face plate
- live center/dead center
- forward /reverse switch
- large dials
- sturdy metal cabinet
- rocker tool post
- large assortment of cutting tools
- magnetic base 1" travel dial indicator

 

[Steevo]

$1500 is a steal for a SB heavy 10.
The collet closer and collets are a valuable extra as well.
Fully restored, it is even more desirable.
If you don't hurry, someone will surely buy that out from under you.

 

[Nor'Easter]

$1500 is a steal for a SB heavy 10.
The collet closer and collets are a valuable extra as well.
Fully restored, it is even more desirable.
If you don't hurry, someone will surely buy that out from under you.

I called just as the guy was handed the money...

 

[454ragtop]

See OWWM rule #5. http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=158513
Jim

 

[Nor'Easter]

See OWWM rule #5. http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=158513
Jim

If it was priced at $4000 over what it should be that's null and void.

How's one to know...

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

I guess that makes me a South Bend heavy 1950. (Born in St Joseph Hospital in South Bend.)
My dad was the water boy when they expanded the factory in the 1930s.

 

[bigcaddy]

Hi All-

I figure it's about time to get myself a lathe, as I am tired of having to bother shops for such small projects.

A restored Heavy 10 popped up north of me for $1500, from what I gather from ebay that is a decent price if it is in good condition, which the seller claims.

Any thoughts? Looking to pull trigger today:


This South Bend heavy 10" lathe is one of several that I've restored in order to keep busy in my retirement. The restoration includes a total cleaning, paint stripping, replacement of worn parts, new felts and wicks, and final polish and paint. This 1943 vintage lathe has many more years of use for the new owner. I would consider taking a South Bend lathe in trade ( 13" and under.....in restorable condition).

Lathe features:
- catalog #8187ZN
- serial #137405
- 3 1/2' bed
- 3/4 HP General Electric 115/230 motor single phase
- 5" Cushman 3 jaw chuck
- steady rest
- collet closer
- assortment of collets
- 8 1/4" face plate
- live center/dead center
- forward /reverse switch
- large dials
- sturdy metal cabinet
- rocker tool post
- large assortment of cutting tools
- magnetic base 1" travel dial indicator

Sounds like a great price to me. I have a Heavy 10 and its been great for turning out small parts on a daily basis. I picked it up from a scrap yard years ago for 1000.00 or so and i've slowly been buying accessories for it like a collet closer, KDK tool post and other items.

Mine has some wear on the ways/bearings so i won't be making any space shuttle parts but it works for me.

It should make a fantastic retirement project and parts are plentiful on the second hand market.

 

[Nor'Easter]

I found another a few hours from me- Looks to be in same condition, but $500 more. I sent him an email as fast as I could, we'll see.

 

[Steevo]

FYI, there is one listed near me for $4500, with a crummy wood desk under it, in un-restored condition, and with less tooling included than that one you missed out on.

 

[trackwelder]

Here is a nice one for someone
http://albany.craigslist.org/tls/4970538458.html

 

[Steve from Socal]

Here is a nice one for someone
http://albany.craigslist.org/tls/4970538458.html

They can call that whatever they want, it is a light 10 NOT a heavy 10". The lathe in that ad is a uprated 9" way different machine.

Steve

 

[Nicodimas]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/4995945744.html

Would something like this be a good deal?

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Sorry you missed out on that! I too have a SB Heavy 10 I found on CL for $500. I didn't let any grass grow under my feet picking it up.

As I've said before, with machine tools, a lot of the value is in the accessories it comes with. You can sink a lot of money in a lathe by the time you get a 3 jaw chuck, 4 jaw chuck, steady rest, tool holder(s), indexed tool holders, live centers, etc.

Mine came with no tooling at all and had a 3 phase motor, so I had to spend some $$ before I could even make chips, buying a VFD and some tooling.

Then once you have a metal lathe you find out that 3/4 of the projects you want to do require a milling machine, so you have to buy one of those too and start all over on tooling.

Phil

 

[Lassen Forge]

Sorry you missed that one. The only consolation is that maybe it had bad bearings, a worn out gearbox, and swayback ways... at that price, I'd want to look at it pretty close, hear it run and make some trial chips before I unloaded my wallet... but if it was in reasonably good condition, unloaded my wallet would have been. A heavy 10 is a sweet chipmaker.

However... Before you get stung buying a light 10 thinking it's a heavy 10, spend some time here...

www.practicalmachinist.com

You will find all kinds of posts on what to look for, what the differences are, etc... But be warned..

Then once you have a metal lathe you find out that 3/4 of the projects you want to do require a milling machine, so you have to buy one of those too and start all over on tooling.

There is truth to that.

 

[John in OH]

Nor'Easter, you should include your location in your GJ profile.

Geographic location has a significant impact on the value of these older lathes. For instance, Steevo's $4,500 lathe in Idaho probably would go for around $1,500 in Northern Ohio due to the very large quantity of old machine tools in the Rust Belt.

 

[bczygan]

Every home built has a kitchen with a stove , sink and space for a fridge. And also a bathroom with a toilet and tub.

Every home that has a garage should be similarly equipped.

I don't understand why they don't come supplied with a table saw, jointer, bandsaw, drill press, mill, grinder, lathe and workbench.

 

[Nor'Easter]

I live in Maine. I know the difference between the heavy 10 and what's actually a larger 9. I looked at that exact one and passed immediately.

Seems like these sellers have a terrible time responding to people wanting to buy their stuff.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Fingers crossed he holds his end up, I have committed to buy a SB 14-1/2 4 hours away. 8 Foot total length so I figure it's 48" C-C? Single phase 220, just what I needed. Along with two chucks, a set of 5C collets, and other normal attachments and pieces.

 

[justanengineer]

Fingers crossed he holds his end up, I have committed to buy a SB 14-1/2 4 hours away. 8 Foot total length so I figure it's 48" C-C?

Probably a 6' bed between centers.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Probably a 6' bed between centers.

After looking at it I'd have to agree. Should be a capable machine for my needs for the near future.