I can't stop the tool madness. Anyway I went and looked at this SB lathe today, it's not under power. I'd bet it came from Los Alamos National Lab and I know nothing practical about lathes other then what I've read. Here are the pics, asking $1700.
South Bend 9" Model A help
- Thread starter 930dreamer
- Start date
OP
I could be wrong, but that almost looks like a 10". Appears to be in pretty fair shape. The taper attachment is a nice find. They sell for upwards of $500 on ebay. Price seems a bit steep unless it comes with tooling not shown. I paid $700 for my 9" model A that was it a bit better shape then that.
Still a solid machine that looks to have a lot of life left in it.
Still a solid machine that looks to have a lot of life left in it.
I wouldn't buy it if you can't spin it and hear it. From the paint scheme was it assembled from multiple lathes?
It has a taper attachment, its an A model as it looks like it has both power longitudinal and cross feed. Its a relatively later model I think as early versions had a single tumbler gear box. Here is a post over on PM that says the two tumbler was first used on the 9 in 1939
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...th-bend-lathe-quick-change-gear-boxes-129310/
I see a lot of wear on the carriage ways near the head stock. A typical high wear area, whereas i see low wear on the tailstock ways right next the the headstock. In your second batch of pictures the first picture shows what appears to be a fairly good "lip" or "ledge" where the carriage has worn down the center of the inverted v way.
For 1700 bucks I wouldn't buy it. However, prices for used machinery are extremely location dependent. That said, even in my area where stuff isn't available like it is in the rust belt, I'd call it over priced.
b
It has a taper attachment, its an A model as it looks like it has both power longitudinal and cross feed. Its a relatively later model I think as early versions had a single tumbler gear box. Here is a post over on PM that says the two tumbler was first used on the 9 in 1939
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...th-bend-lathe-quick-change-gear-boxes-129310/
I see a lot of wear on the carriage ways near the head stock. A typical high wear area, whereas i see low wear on the tailstock ways right next the the headstock. In your second batch of pictures the first picture shows what appears to be a fairly good "lip" or "ledge" where the carriage has worn down the center of the inverted v way.
For 1700 bucks I wouldn't buy it. However, prices for used machinery are extremely location dependent. That said, even in my area where stuff isn't available like it is in the rust belt, I'd call it over priced.
b
WhoWhatNow
Well-known member
To me it looks like the plate says 13 inch. Are the ways dug up or is that the original hand scraping?
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Edit to agree with the last poster that it looks like a ten or a 13
http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend/page4.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend/page4.html
Agree, 13" model A with the taper attachment. Given condition I think the price is a bit high. Check the ways near the head stock for wear. If it can catch your finger nail I'd probably pass. Based on the bed wear marks it looks like it was used to repeatedily turn long shafts.
Do you know what phase motor is on it?
You see that quite a bit in safety shops and schools. The different colors represent different controls and moving parts that may be dangerous.
Do you know what phase motor is on it?
You see that quite a bit in safety shops and schools. The different colors represent different controls and moving parts that may be dangerous.
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rlitman
Well-known member
Yep, no way that is a 9. Belt tensioner is all wrong. Could be a 10a or 13. I couldn't make out the plate.
HORDERofTOOLS
Well-known member
I agree on the 13", that I know of, the 9" never came with a cast base with a underslung motor, and the 10" had a lighter base.
Around here its about a $750 lathe at best,if it runs good. Its definitely worn well on the ways, crummy toolpost, no steady or follow rest, not sure what if any other chucks or faceplate, tailstock centers or chuck included? all that could raise price.
These days 9" lathes bring much more that the bigger ones...this one cant be compared to the 9" or even the 10" for price.
I buy and sell machine tools on the side, so this is just my 2 cents...
Around here its about a $750 lathe at best,if it runs good. Its definitely worn well on the ways, crummy toolpost, no steady or follow rest, not sure what if any other chucks or faceplate, tailstock centers or chuck included? all that could raise price.
These days 9" lathes bring much more that the bigger ones...this one cant be compared to the 9" or even the 10" for price.
I buy and sell machine tools on the side, so this is just my 2 cents...
OP
No GJ at work so the cell will have to do. It looks exactly like the 10" tool room precision on the UK Lathes site. The multi color pieces are odd and no doubt it has wear near the chuck. The seller has never seen it run so he probable bought it at auction for pennies on the dollar. He's a machinist by trade for whatever that's worth . A lot of uncertainties with the no power factor. Only tooling is on the apron. Thanks all!
Steinmetz
Well-known member
In view of the overall condition, i'd personally have heartburn at $1700. I also see a collet chuck, a knurling tool and a drill chuck. Are those included and what else is in the deal?
OP
Just the tooling in the apron, this looks like a heavy 10?
Zooming in on the photos of the quick change gearbox tag, it states 13" (upper left). For that size machine, the price becomes more reasonable.
If your seriously considering purchasing the machine, i wouldn't let the fact that its not under power scare you away. It will make inspecting it slightly more difficult and time consuming. You'll want to take a magnetic base and an indicator with for inspection. A through inspection of all the gears needs to be made. You'll be able to spin it by hand to check the auto feeds and such. Head stock play should be measured using a 2 ft soft bar (brass/alum) with approx 75 lbs of force on it. Measured movement should be .0007-.0010". This procedure is for a 9", but i would assume it to be similar for the 13". If it was ever used in production, you might find the tail stock to be wore in the areas that it rides on the bed rails lowering the center line.
I would also consider cleaning and re lubing all moving parts should you buy it.
Edit: Search for the second set of chuck jaws. The ones installed are for large diameter turning.
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OP
You are correct 13", I missed that while looking at the pictures. Thank you.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
There's a fair amount of wear on the tailstock way, shown in picture 7 of your 1st post. And the scraping on the adjacent v-way doesn't look right - too deep and the pattern just doesn't look right to me. Not worth $1700, maybe $800. I think your assertion is probably right - bought at auction for next to nothing.