1929 South Bend Working Lathe Found but not familiar with these any ID

[bobbuilder440]

Just wondering if someone can help ID this for me and let me know what it might be valued at. It does work but needs oiling and a new belt.

 

[hudstr]

It is what some people refer to as a "Wide 9" with overhead silent chain drive. South bend made many different 9" swing size models over the years so I've seen people refer to these as wide 9" because they are wider and than the workshop 9" models sold during the same time period in the 1920-30's. On the left hand side cover there should be a tag with the model number. If it is missing you can either pay Grizzly $25 to get a picture of the build data card using the serial number (although it just might be a line in a notebook for the really old lathes), or you can figure it out by looking in the old catalogs and identify it by the bed length and features.

Value can vary a lot with location, supply and demand. I'd guess $500-$800 depending on if there is any tooling that goes with it.

 

[bobbuilder440]

It is what some people refer to as a "Wide 9" with overhead silent chain drive. South bend made many different 9" swing size models over the years so I've seen people refer to these as wide 9" because they are wider and than the workshop 9" models sold during the same time period in the 1920-30's. On the left hand side cover there should be a tag with the model number. If it is missing you can either pay Grizzly $25 to get a picture of the build data card using the serial number (although it just might be a line in a notebook for the really old lathes), or you can figure it out by looking in the old catalogs and identify it by the bed length and features.

Value can vary a lot with location, supply and demand. I'd guess $500-$800 depending on if there is any tooling that goes with it.

There is a lot of tooling. Was looking on ebay and it seemed like some of the chucks sell for $200 or so each. Some of the random dies i pulled out and looked up were listed and sold at around $50-80 each and there had to be a box of 20 of those. Plus I didn't even open a lot of stuff. Everything on it seems original-- the electrical switch works etc. I guess was his father in laws who worked as the head machinist / technician for seattles streetlights. passed down to him.

I didn't know where to look for model number so thanks. Was a quick visit with the guy going back to dive deeper into it. is it something I should absolutely make room for in my garage and they're something once you use it youll wonder how you lived without one? or is it not worth giving up that space to other storage?

 

[RoninB4]

-What is most important for machine evaluation is the condition it's in. Bed wear, headstock bearing condition (noisy?), and whether all speeds and feeds function as they should or not. You should also inspect the "back/bull" gear for damaged or missing teeth. Too many examples of this from inexperienced users trying to lock the spindle for chuck removal. Rotate the gears for inspection. Are you buying or flipping this lathe? Location is also important for estimating the price.

 

[bobbuilder440]

-What is most important for machine evaluation is the condition it's in. Bed wear, headstock bearing condition (noisy?), and whether all speeds and feeds function as they should or not. You should also inspect the "back/bull" gear for damaged or missing teeth. Too many examples of this from inexperienced users trying to lock the spindle for chuck removal. Rotate the gears for inspection. Are you buying or flipping this lathe? Location is also important for estimating the price.

location is california bay area. And I would keep it but I have a small garage so I wouldnt want a total project if it is going to need rebuild etc. Or if you think its better to start smaller I would maybe ideally find one that is smaller but free for me is a nice deal.

I messaged a guy on ebay he told me this one is an earlier 9a model and less sought after.

'Because it’s the older version of a southbend 9a. It changes the game. In whole or in parts they are worth less. Never parted out a older southbend so I don’t know how many people are looking for parts You need to be careful using this listing you tagged me on for a price comparison. Because what you may not understand here is my bed was the perfect common length for selling to the market. The bed length is important for the main shaft.You need to search more on the older southbends in whole or parts and see what they did in price.Just shooting from the hip, I would say to keep it whole . And sell it that way. But it’s worth more than 500 - 800. That’s low but I’m guessing a little more than 1k .But I would keep researching older southbend prices.

 

[paulsomlo]

I would value that somewhere between $300 and $500. As far as tooling, in my experience, it's worth very little - generally, what you'll find is that the chucks are worn out and the rest of the stuff is just buckets of detritus. Random "dies" at $50 - $80 each? I'd have to see those, but I'm very skeptical.

If you have tooling that's new in the original box, then yes, the South Bend people will go ape **** over it - it'll bring big prices on ebay. But I've owned two 9" SB lathes now, and my experience is that the chucks are long past their prime and the buckets of stuff that come with it are worth very little, contrary to the seller's estimation.

 

[bobbuilder440]

meant to say taps. large taps made in USA vintage taps. I sell on ebay al the time on certain items like old machinery yeah i dont really know how to price the parts but on taps and dies if they're made in USA in decent shape and like 3/4" or bigger they are prob worth at least 30$ each

 

[RoninB4]

location is california bay area. And I would keep it but I have a small garage so I wouldnt want a total project if it is going to need rebuild etc.

-By reading between the lines of your posts I'll presume that your experience level is not sufficient for rebuilding a lathe. Your small garage would also get filled with components for at least a few months. A South Bend is usually an overpriced, worn out machine that has a devoted following from brand name recognition.

Or if you think its better to start smaller I would maybe ideally find one that is smaller

-Smaller is not always better, some of the tiny imported lathes are almost clumsy to use because your hands tend to bump the controls while operating. I stopped using mine when I bought a larger/better made lathe.

but free for me is a nice deal.

-Free? Yeah that's unlikely to happen. Your budget will usually decide what you should consider. With machinery you usually get what you're willing to pay for if it's in operational condition. Determine your budget and your expectations for the work you plan to do.

I messaged a guy on ebay he told me this one is an earlier 9a model and less sought after.

-After reading your second post I have to ask if your intent is to use or to sell? While I'm quite willing to share my machining experience with others that want to learn, I really dislike helping flippers to make money by estimating the value of items for them. I wish speculators/resellers/flippers would just go play the stock market and stop driving the market price up for those of us that actually use things. It's all too common here and they help nobody but themselves.