Relic Southbend

[longlivepunk]

So I just recently started working at a machine shop, and in the yard is an old Southbend lathe, it's perfect for what I was looking for for my garage, and apparently works. Unfortunately it's been sitting outside for a long time:

https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1379456_10151892724524581_789713009_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1385711_10151892724374581_1384145360_n.jpg

Still considering seeing if the boss will sell it to me. Could get it running and use it for a bit then tear-down and electrolysis? Not sure. What do you guys think?

 

[Hawk]

If he will sell it cheap enough, I would say buy it. Even if you end up parting it out cleaning it up should be a learning experience.

 

[TheGrooveking]

GRAB THAT THING! I've use a few of those over the last 25 years and they all were great.

TheGrooveking

 

[scaron]

+1 if he'll let it go for cheap, grab it and see what you can make of it. always surprised by what people just leave sitting out in the elements, not even a tarp?!

 

[justanengineer]

Let me post this here for your perusal and inspiration. +1 on saving classic American iron. That would look beautiful in your shop with a fresh coat of paint and realistically, there arent many other brands as well supported in terms of parts and knowledge as South Bend.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/south-bend-picture-gallery-153748/

 

[chris fresh]

My recent LeBlond purchase isn't that rough,but i'de scoop that thing up.Maybe because of the condition and surface rust,it will work in your favor as far as price.

 

[zkling]

If he will sell it cheap enough, I would say buy it.

See how much it will actually cost to acquire it. Looks like it fell over and damaged the apron longitudinal feed wheel. If you can get it cheap it may clean up well. At best it could be a good metal working machine. At worst a wood or polishing lathe.

 

[ihatelaramie]

We had one similar to that sitting outside at work, along with a huge LeBlond, both in slightly worse shape. I was mildly interested in the South Bend, but with no wheres to put it, one of our welders snagged it for scrap value, which isn't a bad deal. If it doesn't work, he gets his money back. If it does, well, then he's gonna need to learn how to run a lathe.

 

[ZRX61]

Serial # will be on the tailstock end of the bed. You can usually date then to within a week or 2

 

[454ragtop]

Might want to first inquire as to why it was left outside uncovered at a machine shop? Seems unlikely it didn't have some problems to get that fate.
Good luck, Jim.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Still considering seeing if the boss will sell it to me.

Considering the condition, he should let you have it for scrap value. It weighs about 1700 to 1800 lbs., so a fair price would be whatever the scrapyards in your area are paying for one ton of scrap cast iron.

It looks like a 13" swing, with a 6' bed, which is a very nice size lathe. 5' beds were far more common on the old 13" South Bends. Probably 1940s vintage.

Along with all the rust and the broken handwheel on the carriage, the belt tension lever is broken, but the broken piece is sitting on top of the quick-change box, so it can pretty easily be welded or brazed back together. Generic handwheels that will work on the carriage are available from McMaster or Grainger, or you can find OEM take-offs on eBay.

Parts and support for that vintage lathe are no longer available from South Bend/Grizzly, but take-off parts are plentiful on eBay, and a few people make some of the soft parts for restoration (felt wipers, rawhide oil wicking, etc.).

 

[sloppy]

I would say yes try and get it..

 

[Tim338]

My South Bend was that rough or a little worse and I brought it back to life. I say get it and have some fun.

 

[G_P]

Might want to first inquire as to why it was left outside uncovered at a machine shop? Seems unlikely it didn't have some problems to get that fate.
Good luck, Jim.

Definetly ask. It may have been just replaced with a newer machine and damaged while being moved.
But it could also have a major problem and that's why it was retired and dumped outside.

If it works and you can get it cheap snag it before someone else finds it!

Sent via carrier pigeon

 

[Steinmetz]

So I just recently started working at a machine shop, and in the yard is an old Southbend lathe, it's perfect for what I was looking for for my garage, and apparently works. Unfortunately it's been sitting outside for a long time:

https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1379456_10151892724524581_789713009_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1385711_10151892724374581_1384145360_n.jpg

Still considering seeing if the boss will sell it to me. Could get it running and use it for a bit then tear-down and electrolysis? Not sure. What do you guys think?

It looks like it was abused even before it was unceremoniously consigned to the weather. It may have been worn out before it was discarded. Even if you get it operating again, you may never be satisfied with the work it produces. although it's up to you, I'd pass on that one.

 

[rsanter]

If it was a running machine and if you can get it cheap enough then grab it and do some learning
Pay less than half what it would be not rusted

Bob

 

[A_Pmech]

Mmmmm Rust!

I wonder if the spindle even turns?

The nice thing about South Bend lathes is they're so damned simple. An average guy can have one blown completely apart in a few hours. If you want to learn all about lathes, have the bed ground and fit the carriage, cross slide and compound by scraping. Then rebuild the spindle and do the necessary mechanical repairs and you'll have an operable machine. Finally, machine a new lead screw from precision ground all-thread and you'll have a basically new machine.

The cost? Probably $3,000 or so for parts, materials and grinding of the bed.

Time? I'd guess about 500-750 hours more or less.

 

[longlivepunk]

Might want to first inquire as to why it was left outside uncovered at a machine shop? Seems unlikely it didn't have some problems to get that fate.
Good luck, Jim.

I'm not too worried about that, this isn't a small shop, we have 2 Mazak and 1 large Kingston CNC lathes, 1 Mazak and 1 Johnford CNC mill, 1 huge Kingston manual lathe, and 5 more large manual lathes + 3 manual mills (not sure of the names) as well as a notcher, grinder, computer-controlled band-saw, etc. None of the manual lathes are smaller than about a 9' bed, and all of the machines are heavily-built and fairly new. Sadly the Southbend just wouldn't be of use to them anymore for the work they do.

The nice thing about South Bend lathes is they're so damned simple. An average guy can have one blown completely apart in a few hours. If you want to learn all about lathes, have the bed ground and fit the carriage, cross slide and compound by scraping. Then rebuild the spindle and do the necessary mechanical repairs and you'll have an operable machine. Finally, machine a new lead screw from precision ground all-thread and you'll have a basically new machine.

I don't think I'd be going to that extent, none of the work I'd be doing on it would need to be overly precise, and I have access to the machines at work on my own time provided I know how to use them. I'd probably just get it freed-up and running at first, then when I have some time I'd clean it up and make it look good. If I was ever looking at having the bed ground or anything I'd probably just sell it, make a bit of cash and look for something else.

Thanks for the input, guys! I'm going to see what he says and maybe try to just trade some overtime hours for it, or see if I could get it for free to haul it away A guy can dream, right???

 

[stuk4x4]

I own this model and it came from a NAVY shipyard and was pretty abused, about 2hours of cleaning and scrubbing it was moving quite well. It is an accurate enough machine. Plus has alot of great features, if you get it for the right price you may be surprised how much time you put in it and how long you keep it!!
Good luck
Walt