Old lathe too cheap to pass up.

[PowerDubs]

Hi guys.

Garage journal is bad for my wallet!

I've bought soo much stuff because if this place that I never knew existed.. and in a few cases, that I don't even know how to use! This is one of those cases.

I find myself looking at the tool section of Craig's list quite a bit. This popped up last night and even though I don't know how to use it, or have a need for it.. I figured the price was low enough to learn on.

What can you guys tell me about it?

 

[bonneyman]

Yes, the forum is bad for your wallet health.

I don't have a lathe, but have been looking at them. And I hear that South Bend made/makes good ones.

 

[bczygan]

That is a totally useless tool.
You've made a horrible mistake.
But I'm willing to help you out of your predicament.
Please send that piece of junk to the following address...

Actually,
Get on the Yahoo Groups South Bend Lathe group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/southbendlathe/conversations/topics

 

[zkling]

Told ya so. Did you have to pay "full price"? I think I have that one in one of my catalogs, I will have to look. It is a basic non quick change under drive machine, but they made a few odd balls, of which I think that was one. Good deal nevertheless.

 

[yaidunno]

That appears to be a very nice South Bend 9" lathe. No gear box but still an extremely useful piece of equipment. Be sure to read up on proper lathe operation. You'll be making chips in no time. Have fun!

 

[OccupantRJ]

Here is some reading for you. Have at it.

http://www.americanmachinetools.com/how_to_use_a_lathe.htm

 

[chevydyl]

dude nice score i bought a 12 atlas this summer and have been making money with it at my ther job, its freakin awesome to have check out you tube, guy named tubelcain makes great instructional vids for beginner lathers lol. heres my greatest accomplishment, my one boss told me i could build a puller for some valves in a mud pump we have, the other boss wanted to buy one, he spent over 2000$, i still made my tools and charged em in hours equivelent to 250$, minus 35 for the materials, 4140 TGP tool steel, very very very strong, so mine was just a couple rods threaded at both ends, one to thread into the valve, the other for a nut, i machined a 3/4in thick 4x4 piece of steel to sit on the head, tighten the bolt and it pulls the valve out....the puller boss A bought was a HUGE slide hammer, there was a couple problem valves and guess what, it broke the hardened heat treated hooks of that tool, so they installed my puller and used it according to my instruction.....POP, guess what happened....the valves came right out....and i then had to turn my head sideways to walk out of the doors hahaha

forgot to mention i spent 750 on the lathe, i have about 1000 into measuring devices and tooling......get ready to spend spend spend. chinese is ok for some things, but others absolutely not, like measuring, Starrett only, or B&S, couple others are good too, i have some starrett that are over 100yrs old and are great tools still, my starrett machinist level i got used over 70yrs old. the indicator is the only thing i bought new, Starrett, and i made a tool holder for the compound so i could use my 4 jaw chuck with perfect accuracy... PS my wife hates that i bought it, says i spend more time in the garage with it then i do in bed with her lol

 

[Steevo]

Join the hobby machinist forum at:
http://hobby-machinist.com
They have sub-forum specifically for South Bend machines.

 

[John in OH]

I love lathes!! You have a nice, basic, SB machine there. Short on bells & whistles, but you can do a lot of good useful work with this unit.

Go and IMMEDIATELY buy the South Bend bible, "How to Run a Lathe" as it will give you 95% of the information you'll ever need for home shop lathe operations:

http://www.youroldtimebookstore.com/category-s/1993.htm

Go to the "Shop Equipment" section of this site and search for the booklet. Cost ya about $8 and it will be the best $8 you can spend for a lathe education.

 

[PowerDubs]

Thanks guys. I look forward to learning how to use this.

I figure for the $299 I paid for it, I won't have a problem getting rid of it when the time comes.

 

[larry_g]

Congratulations on the new lathe. Here is where your location is important. You may have an expert on here just around the corner willing to help you out.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Jawn]

Around here, those don't go cheap. I've been wanting one tho... I keep holding out for a good deal on a nice SB 9A or comparable larger lathe.

 

[rsanter]

You did good, that machine will get you around $800 - $1000 or so if you sell it.

The bad news is that once you start down that road of machine work you will need a bigger garage

Bob

 

[zkling]

Are there any other numbers on the tail stock end of the bed? Maybe something with a few letter in it?

 

[chevydyl]

My atlas 12in with a qc gear box was restored with a bunch of tools and a 3 and 4 jaw for 750.....you gotta find the right deal. I was told I shoulda paid 1700 or so. Mines in nice shape for being from 58-68. +1 on the how to run a lathe book. Its a generic book for atlas crafstman an sb. But youll want the sb one so it pertains to your machine in the fine details you have work cut out for you making sure everything is true. The most important thing is a SOLID LEVEL surface. Im not talking carpenter level. It MUST BE leveled with a quality machinist (spirit) level. My lathe came with the cabinet underneath, and in my garage i had to poor a 3in tall pad onto exsisting floor to set my lathe on and then drilled 6in deep and used anchors to SOLIDLY secure the lathe, vibration is a killer and will turn shotty work...it will tell you all this in the book. If its not level you will cause premature wear of precision machined surfaces.....also +1 on hobby machinist forum they are a great help

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Thanks guys. I look forward to learning how to use this.

I figure for the $299 I paid for it, I won't have a problem getting rid of it when the time comes.

I knew I smelled some suckage.....

 

[sasquatch12]

You got a good deal at that price, did you get the gear covers with it?

 

[bczygan]

Your lathe was produced between 1937 and 1940:
http://www.wswells.com/photos/serial_no/SN_info_3.JPG

HTRAL (How to Run a Lathe) by South Bend is available for free here (Different editions):
http://www.wswells.com/data/htral/htral_index.html

Info here:
http://wswells.com/

 

[3xpendable]

This probably go's without saying but. BE CAREFUL! Don't be the guy that gets a new toy and losses a body part getting wound up in that thing. Gloves, loose clothing or getting complacent can get you seriously hurt. Make sure all chucks,tools and gears are clear before turning it on. Keep an eye out for long chips or twist of steel grabbing you it will take the fun right out of it lol

Nice find I hope you get tons on enjoyment from it. Make sure you post some pics of your first project.

 

[383 240z]

Biggest thing I can tell you mind your chuck key, its either in its holder or in your hand. NEVER leave it in the chuck. That will be when your paying close attention to what your doing, or measuring, and turn it on. Death and destruction will soon follow. Keith

 

[bigcaddy]

Biggest thing I can tell you mind your chuck key, its either in its holder or in your hand. NEVER leave it in the chuck. That will be when your paying close attention to what your doing, or measuring, and turn it on. Death and destruction will soon follow. Keith

This is mucho important!! I've yet to make that mistake and i'm extra cautious so it doesn't ever happen.

You should look into making or buying a spring loaded chuck key. They can be a bit of a pain to use but they eject themselves from the chuck if you take downward pressure off of them.

Its better to curse at that damn chuck key that keeps falling down then having a broken hand/wrist/arm or destroyed gear/way/bearing

 

[PowerDubs]

Here are the other numbers I can find on it-

 

[iajonesy]

Nice snag there. I would also recommend covering the open headstock area asap,too prevent loss of fingers on your left hand. Those old SB lathes are great and will last forever if lubed and kept clean. The sites mentioned in previous posts will be very helpful and if you need any parts,that's where you'll find them. Many SB parts will interchange and that is a good thing. Have fun and be safe. It may be a small lathe,but it can hurt you.

Mike

 

[zkling]

Ok, if the 92457 is the only number on the end of the bed, that would coorlate to a 1938 Workshop 9" model C lathe underdrive. Not a common setup. I'm fairly certain the bench is quite a bit newer. You are missing a few covers on the left hand side, but still good deal for what you got. As others have mentioned, get a copy of "how to run a lathe" by SB and also get a lube chart and the proper oil for that before you put it into service.

 

[chevydyl]

Oil yes. Make sure you get NON DETERGENT oil. The cleaners in regular sae 30 have a hay day with with the bronze bushings and whatever else. If you can get way oil thats a plus. Its not readily avail where I live. Make sure you always leave a nice film of oil on the bed ways and the tool rest ways.I always wipe the old oil off the ways before i do any work then apply new oil to them. Use the lathe wipe it down and then re oil the ways for when its not in use. Lube the bearings for the spindle in the headstock before everyday of use. And if you use it heavily one day oil it a few times throughout. I might be overdoing it but when you look for part for a 60yr old lathe whats the cost of oil mean lol. Most wear is caused from under lubrication or the lathe being out of level.