south bend lathe questions

[hotroddeuce]

I got this couple years ago finally dug it back out, before I get to far into it cleaning ect. is there tooling out there for this? I am going to get my nephew here to look over electrical to see if we can fire it up to see how it runs if that's a converter for single phase on back? he's a electrician but has not seen it yet, another thing is the cross slide I believe its called (feeding tool deeper into work) has a lot of slop in 5 1/2 turns I will post pix of it,motor and this slop and tooling is main concern right now everything else seems pretty tight. Is it worth getting this ol girl going again?

 

[hotroddeuce]

here is electrical pix. paper work was stuck in there also.

 

[hotroddeuce]

here is the cross slide, can see where there is a bushing or so coming out of the casting slides back in after 5 1/2 turns thoughts on a fix on this? I have not disassembled anything yet if I stick a screwdriver in between the washers and bushing when I can it wont turn at all.

 

[cvairwerks]

Looks like it's a 3P machine, so you would need either a phase converter or a VFD that will take single phase and make 3P for it. The item you showed is the reversing magnetic starter. 1.5HP single phase motors are cheap and you could change over to one for about the same cost, if you don't have 3P available in your shop already.

Before spinning it up or moving anything more, get a copy of the manual and lubricate everything. It's hard to tell if it's a roller bearing or a babbit bearing head stock. If it's babbit and you run it with no lube, it could inflict damage to the babbit material.

As to the cross slide, it may be missing a lock screw. You would need to look at the parts breakdown to know for sure.

Tooling and most parts are available, though some are hard to find and would most likely be used. There are a number of forums that cater specifically to the South Bends and are the best sources of information as to cleaning it up and making it operate at peak performance.

 

[Provincial]

Because that machine has a taper attachment, the cross feed is more complicated than an ordinary machine. It appears that the anchor for the cross slide feed screw is either damaged or missing a part. You will need to get a parts diagram for that machine in order to determine what parts should be there. Your serial number should lead you to the proper manuals.

The taper attachment cannot be left engaged while the anchor for the cross slide screw is clamped tight. Otherwise, the two systems will fight each other and damage something. This is probably what happened to your machine. The proper manuals will tell you how to operate this system.

 

[hotroddeuce]

^^ Thanks I have been reading up on the VFD's as I don't have 3Phase. I will get a manual and go from there and search around for southbend forums it diff. needs a good clean up as been sitting for quite awhile even before I got it, seems my best bet is make sure I can get everything cleaned lubed and tightened up before I worry about the motor

 

[Bob-B]

Your machine has a taper turning attachment which has a different cross feed screw than most. Take a look here. http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1617/17785.pdf

There's a boat load of info here on SB's in general
http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1617&tab=3

 

[hotroddeuce]

Thanks for the links looks like I may be missing a couple parts, not sure if I am ready for another project like this have way to many already need to sit back and think hard about this one may just look for a turn key one.

 

[Maui]

I’d just swap out the motor that’s on it for a 1 1/2 hp single phase motor. It is easy to do.

 

[tombell572]

Depends what you're looking for. It's definitely a project--lots of rust removal. It can be done but it will be time-consuming. If you need machine to make parts now, probably not for you. It has a short bed lathe--if you anticipate turning long pieces of work between centers, may be a problem. How much tooling other than the chuck mounted on it would you get? A taper attachment is nice and expensive if you buy one separately but how much taper turning do you anticipate? S/B's are nice machines. Time and effort can bring it back and produce a lathe you'll be proud of, but what are you after?

Tom B.

 

[bugnut]

Very good advice posted by all. First thing I would do is see if you can get the chuck loose, plenty of videos on you tube and advice on the internet on how. If you can't get it off, you have to decide if the chuck will work for your applications or if you want to replace parts so you can change workholders.
This is a good old machine which can be repaired, if the rust is just surface and not at all damaging then it will make it easy.
Good Luck

 

[hotroddeuce]

Thanks for all the advice I may just turn it loose and find one that's ready to go with tooling. I would just need one for small parts so this one would be nice but have to many other projects, I have a '34 roadster that has been calling my name for the last 5 years to get it done..

 

[lafester]

That thing is very cool! Problem is nobody is going to want to give you much for it in it's current condition. I would at least take off the taper attachment and sell separate. That way you might get enough to buy one ready to roll.

 

[KatanaKid]

Where can I get info on the value of this South Bend And it’s value

 

[cvairwerks]

Value is going to depend on condition, accessories and location. The better the condition and better tooled, it's going to go for way more in an area with it hard to find good machines. Poor condition, little or no tooling and in certain areas of the east coast and it's going to have to be cheap to sell.

Good condition, no tooling, it will run somewhere between $500 and $2500, depending on location for example.

 

[JimNC]

Where can I get info on the value of this South Bend And it’s value

Sold mine for $1,000in NC, had more tooling included than I see in your pic, but didn’t have the legs.

Practical machinist website is a good resource.

 

[bmwrd0]

If you have room to store it, hang onto it, and pick up a good running smaller lathe to start with. It might be a project, but it is a worthwhile one.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have a 1945 16X120 South Bend. This lathe does everything I want, for now.
I have drilled out corroded perch pins and made mufflers and fuel tanks for old flywheel engines.
I think that South Bend is well worth saving. Only you will know when you get into the restoration. Enjoy.
I am watching a MONARCH 16X48 (?) lathe. It should be coming on the market in a few Weeks.

 

[930dreamer]

http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend/page4.html

If you decide to sell it let me know.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I’d just swap out the motor that’s on it for a 1 1/2 hp single phase motor. It is easy to do.

I wouldn't. VFDs are easy, cheap, and give you features that a single phase doesn't have like instant reverse, power braking, and speed control. Why ditch a motor made to last a lifetime that is already in place for some modern ****?
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@OP, South Bends are an extremely common and popular lathe. While I haven't shopped for anything, I'm fairly confident you could source every single part for that lathe. Tooling will be easy. The problem with the handle slop will become apparent when you tear into it I'm sure.

 

[Maui]

I wouldn't. VFDs are easy, cheap, and give you features that a single phase doesn't have like instant reverse, power braking, and speed control. Why ditch a motor made to last a lifetime that is already in place for some modern ****?
-------
@OP, South Bends are an extremely common and popular lathe. While I haven't shopped for anything, I'm fairly confident you could source every single part for that lathe. Tooling will be easy. The problem with the handle slop will become apparent when you tear into it I'm sure.

VFDs don’t always play nice with these older 3 phase motors, especially at the lower speed settings. The good ones aren’t cheap either once you get up there in hp ratings. And who said buy a newer motor? I have an older 1 1/2 hp capacitor start motor that I brought back to life sitting on the shelf ready to run right now. On my local Craigslist there is an older Baldor single phase 1 1/2 hp motor in beautiful condition for sale for $60. Everybody can approach this whatever way they like, but if it were me I’d just swap it out. It should be relatively easy to do.

 

[ZRX61]

Grizzly Tools have all the records from SB & also a **** ton of NOS parts. I got parts for my '50's Heavy 10 from them.
They will send you a copy of the original build sheet etc for a few $$.