South Bend 9" Lathe questions.

[Dugan]

I was offered a 9" south bend lathe as a trade for an item i have. The item im selling is priced at 1000$.

The lathe being offered has the info below.

9 inch workshop lathe 3 1/2 foot bed
444-Z 6 speed Model A, has full quick change gear mechanism for threads and feeds; also automatic apron with friction clutch for operating power cross feeds, and power longitudinal feeds.
Comes with 2 4 jaw chucks, 1 3 jaw chuck, 1 back plate, 1 live center, 1 drill chuck, 4 tool holders,
Needs new belt.


What is the price for one of these lathes ? I might trade but I feel as he will need to add cash on top.

 

[tdkkart]

I would say, in your part of the country, that lathe is only worth $3-500. So maybe 1/2 of your asking price.

If it was in my neighborhood I could sell it for $6-800, but I live in a machinery black hole.

 

[lilredex]

I might pay $100 for that if no teeth are missing from the back gear or QC box. Bought two like that, from a school, for $100 and another from a friend for $400 in much better shape. Might be a little different where you are.

 

[Dugan]

Yea i didnt think they were worth much at all.

 

[DocsMachine]

It might be worth $1K if it had more tooling and was in ready-to-use condition (or at least very nearly so.)

Replacing the belt is a nontrivial process, although just because the original leather belt is a little dried out, doesn't mean it needs to be replaced.

Up here, you could get $500 or so for it, but as others have said, I've seen similar machines go for considerably less down in the States.

And as always, condition, condition, condition. Check the ways for wear, the leadscrews for slop, the spindle for play, the gears for missing teeth, and everything else for cracks, damage, old repairs, rust and so on.

Doc.

 

[zkling]

I'd put it in the ~$600 range. Machine tools are very hard to inspect via picture.

 

[CoopVA]

It's worth about $600-$700 as it sits here... If it runs, is tight and has minimal wear... Like was said before, it's hard to judge by just a picture.

Given that, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay...


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[Whitworth]

It's old, small and flat belt drive. $450 tops

If it intrigues you and you want a start in metal working, your $1000 would go further with a little searching. I would shy away from it as it is small and old technology. You'll be spending more time and thought compensating for the lathe's shortcomings than it's worth, even if offered $$ on top of the lathe.

Gary

 

[A_Pmech]

You can get a LOT more for $1,000 than that old thing.

 

[Dugan]

It's old, small and flat belt drive. $450 tops

If it intrigues you and you want a start in metal working, your $1000 would go further with a little searching. I would shy away from it as it is small and old technology. You'll be spending more time and thought compensating for the lathe's shortcomings than it's worth, even if offered $$ on top of the lathe.

Gary

I already have a mill, I would love a lathe since I do a lot of custom hotrod/mud truck stuff. But I dont have the room at the moment haha.

 

[cruzer75]

That would make some great custom parts for rods and trucks. Question is what is for sale in your area for 1k? A lot of parts were made on these old machines that work just fine!

 

[Tim338]

I think $1000 may be a little high. I think its a $750-$800 machine. Don't let the worn paint, dried oil scare you off. Check the bull gear, back gears for missing teeth. Check the bed close to the head stock for wear. Run it through all the speeds, check all the feeds and if you like it get it. Those are great little lathes capable of good work even with a little wear. The nice thing about SouthBend lathes is that parts and accessories are easy to get and lots of online support to learn about them.

 

[Kirbot]

If it's not too badly worn out...... It's probably in the $500-600 range.
Really all comes down to condition though.

 

[John in OH]

Three conditions usually determine the price of older lathes:

1) Condition - smooth gears, tight bearings and minimal bed wear = higher price
2) Tooling - chucks, faceplate, tool holders, centers, and attachments = higher price
3) Location - west of Chicago or south of Richmond, VA = higher price

In the case of lathes, small size is not necessarily a negative. Small lathes in good condition are usually in high demand by hobbyists. I've been to industrial shop auctions where small, older, lathes like this one, in good condition, easily brought $1,200. And at the same auction bigger, older, lathes with an 18" swing and 8' bed didn't receive even a single bid.

This lathe is probably in the $500-800 range.