Phil you are spot on with your identification. Both lathes are indeed...
...South Bend model A's, 9" (22.86 cm) swing with 3.5' (3 m) long beds. Here's some additional information on South Bend Lathes:
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9" Workshop Lathes
9" X 3' Model A Horizontal Drive
As early as 1914, South Bend Lathe™ manufactured standard industry 9 inch lathes. In the early 20's, smaller lathes for students and apprentices were introduced, including a 9" Junior lathe, Catalog No. 22. The hole through the spindle, horsepower, and other overall dimensions where the same as the Workshop model, and prices, in 1931, were around $300.
In 1935, the first Workshop lathe was presented in catalogs, along with the standard 9" Series O lathe, and the 9" Junior lathe. It came equipped with a countershaft drive, standard change gears, and a manual apron. Eventually, the Junior lathe line was dropped. And by 1939, the first Workshop lathe became Model C, and South Bend Lathe (TM) added a Model A and Model B Workshop lathes with the following units:
Model A lathes have full quick change gear mechanism for threads and feeds; also automatic apron with friction clutch for operating power cross feeds, and power longitudinal feeds.
Model B lathes have independent change gear equipment for threads and feeds, also automatic apron with friction clutch for operating power cross feeds,
and power longitudinal feeds.
Model C lathes, which were manufactured for about four years before the introduction of the Model A and Model B, have independent change gear equipment, lead screw and half-nut power longitudinal feeds and hand cross feed.
The catalog number is a portion of the number located on the index plate on the gear box of the lathe. The code designation is included in the serial number, which is stamped between the flat- and v-ways on the tailstock end of the bed.
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This South Bend was just brought into the shop but it's been in my family since it was new.
..It was purchased by my Dad, brand new in 1948. As you can see it's been stripped down to lighten it up while Cameron and I moved it and now I'm cleaning it up prior to installing it out at the old shop.
Dad sold it to my brother in the early 1970's.
You can see it's been lightly used all these years with the manufacture scraping marks still very clear on the bed ways. After Dad sent it to my brother he replaced it soon thereafter with...
...this same model South Bend. While he didn't buy this one new, it was still extremely well cared for by it's previous owner and then by Dad and eventually by me. My brother has no need anymore for the 1948 lathe so it's come to me. I'm a bit sentimental about such things so you can well imagine why I don't want it to leave the family. BTW, the above lathe is seen here with an extra tail stock on the bed. That's where I'm storing the tail stock for the 1948 lathe while I clean it up.
Any long time readers here might remember that Mr Johnson had an almost identical South Bend lathe that was still in the shop when I purchased the property...
...remember??
Jim you asked earlier if I used the lathe much. It's use varies with what's going on out in the shop. I did use it quite a bit when restoring the old Walker floor jack for example...
... remaking old worn out parts...
...and repairing damaged parts...
...or cleaning up parts. It's handy to have around and if you have space for it I think you'll find it invaluable.
Now about you not having any experience operating them...
...there is this publication, published by the South Bend Lathe Works consider by many to the "bible" on care and operation of lathes, particularly South Bend lathes. It's been reprinted numerous times so finding a copy is not difficult. As a bonus posted on YouTube:
"How to Run A Lathe"
"Action, Use, and Care of Single Point Cutting Tools, No. 1"
...you will
many original instruction movies produced by South Bend which illustrate many, many different operating technics and procedures.
There are also more modern YouTube videos:
...and
Tubalcain has
dozens of terrific instructional videos. Here are a couple:
All these videos combined with the manual and you can teach yourself a great deal.
One last item is once I get the 1948 lathe cleaned and set up I'll be selling the second lathe as I don't have a need for two of them. Here's your chance Jim, for that dream to come true!
Thomas
Dennis
