New Years Eve Craigslist Score

[Maui]

I picked up this South Bend lathe yesterday after answering a Craigslist ad. It was about a 1 1/2 hour drive to get it, but was well worth the effort. The serial number dates it to 1926 and it is in surprisingly good condition for its age. It has what appears to be an original quick change gear box, which I didn't even know was available back then. It also has the original tailstock, but I had removed it and placed it in the trunk before deciding to take these photos. Breaking the lathe down for transport was a piece of cake. This lathe has seen very little use - the original flaking is still clearly visible on the entire length of the ways. This is my favorite purchase from 2015, and I found it on the very last day of the year!

Maui

 

[lilredex]

Nice find, you are going to like that overhead motor mount, not many around.

If you need a belt (serpentine) without disassembly, have a look here.

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/15209-9-South-Bend-Belt-Replacement?

 

[Jcrapola]

Wow! That is sweet! Now i am starting the new year as a jealous person! New years resolution shot to pieces already!

 

[Warrenator]

Nice! I forget the exact story about the quick change gearbox, but that is a single lever early one and they somehow didn't license that one for long then went to the double lever model. I forget if the single was harder to make or there were licensing issues. Might have a plate on yours that says Flather, that is the inventor. Considered a great gearbox.

 

[Maui]

Warrenator, I've attached a photo of the plate that appears on the gear box. It includes a patent number of 810634. I looked up the patent and sure enough it lists Flather as the inventor. It was granted in 1906. You can read about it in the attached link:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US810634A/en

Do you happen to know what year South Bend first offered the quick change gear box as an option on their lathes? I've never seen a single lever gear box before, and this one seems to be special since it is apparently one of the early ones. I've already tried it out, and it works flawlessly.

Maui

 

[Maui]

Lilredex, thanks for the link. Jcrapola, like so many of us your New Years resolution has been blown to hell already.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Nice looking Lathe, Thanks for posting

 

[Maui]

No problem. Thanks for the replies.

Maui