South bend lathe

[05wrangler]

Ok guys, I normally make a post on here before a pick up vintage tools and get your opinions on them. So I'm looking at this south bend lathe, I don't have a model number yet but I know it's a 10", 240v three phase, he's asking 900 for the lathe and 950 if I want his convertor with it (witch I do) what do you guys think? This would be my 1st lathe

 

[Techie1961]

I recently sold an almost exact same lathe that we had in the family for many years. It will be a handy lathe for you but don't expect to do anything heavy with it. It is a decent lathe though and the price seems good.

 

[05wrangler]

I don't mind having to light cuts and going slow as it would just be for making parts and things for my hobbys around how much do you guys think it weighs?

 

[zkling]

Very hard to evaluate a machine tool via pictures, especially small pictures. It looks good, but it might be a fresh repaint on a otherwise worn out machine. What, if any tooling is included?

 

[AndyA]

It looks like it's missing the tool post. You can get a chinese quick change toolpost and a few holders for around $200.

I see a 4-jaw chuck installed on the lathe, and a live center in the tailstock. Does it have any other tooling? (3-jaw chuck, drill chuck for tailstock, steady rest, follow rest, taper attachment, faceplate, drive dogs, dead centers, etc, etc). You'll probably want a 3-jaw chuck.

Quick change gear box is a plus.

If the condition is good, $950 is reasonably priced. I paid $500 for a good condition 9" south bend with minimal tooling.

 

[05wrangler]

Sorry for the bad pics, all it says it's just the 4 jaw bison chuck

 

[zkling]

If it's in good mechanical condition, just a 4jaw and live center that's a fair price IMHO. Tooling it up is going to be $$$. You are going to need a tool post and a tail stock chuck at a minimum to get started. You'll probably want a 3 jaw eventually, and a steady rest.

 

[05wrangler]

Tomorrow morning he's sending me the model number because he works nights. I'm hoping it won't weigh so much I can't get it loaded

 

[ZRX61]

I loaded & unloaded a '53 Heavy 10 using a cherry picker. Rented a trailer from UHaul. Heavy end to the front of the trailer.

 

[454ragtop]

Looks like a Heavy 10, good size starter lathe, with a decent sized spindle thru hole. Take a look here for tips on evaluating http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html also take a look at the article "In praise of klunkers" at the bottom of that page. With that cast iron pedestal, I'm going to guess the weight at somewhere around 1000 lbs, give or take. Engine crane, or make some outriggers and skids to bolt to the base and roll on pipes, shouldn't be too bad to move. But be careful, lathes are inherently top heavy, and will want to go belly up if you're not careful.
Good luck, Jim

 

[05wrangler]

Looks like a Heavy 10, good size starter lathe, with a decent sized spindle thru hole. Take a look here for tips on evaluating http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html also take a look at the article "In praise of klunkers" at the bottom of that page. With that cast iron pedestal, I'm going to guess the weight at somewhere around 1000 lbs, give or take. Engine crane, or make some outriggers and skids to bolt to the base and roll on pipes, shouldn't be too bad to move. But be careful, lathes are inherently top heavy, and will want to go belly up if you're not careful.
Good luck, Jim

Great read! Thank you sir. Unfortunelty the guy won't answer so he may have stood me up.

 

[rsanter]

Does not seem like the price is far off of what it is worth. But then again the price being high or low also depends on your area. If it is in good shape I don't think you are getting screewed but you are not getting a smoking deal either

Bob

 

[05wrangler]

I'm located in Indiana, the catalog number is CL187R and S/N of 7631RKL13, to my understanding means it has a thread nose type spindle and a 4 1/2 foot bed

 

[DenisG]

I'm located in Indiana, the catalog number is CL187R and S/N of 7631RKL13, to my understanding means it has a thread nose type spindle and a 4 1/2 foot bed

The "L" in the serial # relates to the larger spindle - 2-1/4" x 8 tpi. The smaller spindle 10" lathes were "K" type with 1-1/2" x 8 tpi nose.

If you get collets, it's easier to find the 5C collets that fit the L-type - "Heavy" 10. The the K-type ("Light" 10) uses 3C collets with a smaller size range and they are a little more hard to find.

 

[sasquatch12]

The price of lathes varies greatly all over the continent. If you feel it is in decent shape and are happy with the price, and anything that comes with it,,, "BUY IT".

Your'e posting responses surprised me, as when i usually see the question posted you asked, there are ALWAYS a couple of posters claiming that price is way to high, as they just bought one or two loaded with accessories, for like $100 to $150. !! Lol

 

[05wrangler]

Well he sold it already during the time I was trying to set.up a time to meet! Guess when I find another one I'll post it up again lol. Pretty bummed thought we had a deal working out

 

[Fretters]

Well he sold it already during the time I was trying to set.up a time to meet! Guess when I find another one I'll post it up again lol. Pretty bummed thought we had a deal working out

There'll be another turns up. You tend to find a missed deal can sometimes work in your favour. The next one that turns up could be an absolute gem for little difference in price. Plenty of tooling with a machine is always something to look for too. You can do the basics of turning with little kit, once you have the lathe, but tooling and accessories can greatly enhance the scope of what you're able to do if you choose. Tooling and accessories can be a good chunk of money to buy separately.

 

[pb57]

You wont find heavy 10's very easily and if that was in good shape that was an awesome price. Paul

 

[justanengineer]

Try getting out to a few auctions or visiting a few of the local shops, you'll likely be surprised at the difference in the prices between reality and Craigslist. JMO but that machine was about 1.5x its local value and a rather antiquated machine at that, definitely not something Id want in my shop unless dirt cheap. Being so close to SB there are a TON of newer SB lathes in the area, and there are night/day differences in "the same" machine from 1950 vs 1970. I saw an early 80s 9" at auction last summer sell for $400 with every option, loaded with tooling, and in excellent shape, I'm not a SB guy but that one hurt, I'd have owned it if I had more room (lack of room gives me cheap SOB syndrome) and didnt have my Clausing. Also, not sure what else might be left but I looked at an auction at the old coke plant in Indy a couple months back, Indy schools auctioned one of their shops and sold 7-8 of the newer style 12-14"x36-48" Turnado lathes and a similar size Leblond, all top quality modern machines in very nice condition. I was hoping theyd have tooling but they didnt, so we didnt stay for the sale.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Sorry you missed the deal. The one thing to look at on these older lathes like this is the amount of wear near the head stock end of the lathe. A simple straight edge (a good brand of ruler from a square made by Starrett or B&S, etc is good enough). That end of the lathe is typically heavily worn on lathes that do not have hard ways.. For the average klunker lathe for the homeowner / hobbyist not a bid deal.. Tooling and related items are fairly easy to find and relatively cheap (eBay is full of them). There is a whole forum dedicated to the SBL products.. many good people and lots of sage advice there, amongst folks that have parts, tooling, etc. for sale http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/

I have a SBL 10K bench lathe that is in great shape, and used it earlier this week in a repair project for a wheel replacement on one of my suitcases...

Keep your eyes peeled on Craigslist, classifieds in the Star, auctions.. I'm sure you'll find others. I saw some this past year for sale from an IPS auction, and again at an auction at the aircraft maintenance facility at IND..

Good luck..
Dennis/Greenwood

 

[05wrangler]

thanks guys! how do I find these auctions?

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I always look in the newspaper classifieds for local auctions. There is also municipal auctions that are online, I use that is for the northeast, only problem all the good stuff seems to be 8 hours away. I did get a great deal on a army truck from my TWP. Depending on where you live some auction houses have online auctions.

 

[justanengineer]

thanks guys! how do I find these auctions?

www.auctionzip.com lists a good portion of them. Keep your eyes/ears open in the local paper, on craigs. and on bulletin boards around town for others.

 

[zkling]

www.auctionzip.com lists a good portion of them. Keep your eyes/ears open in the local paper, on craigs. and on bulletin boards around town for others.

They still have those? A number of weeks ago I stumbled upon an estate sale on my way to a friends house. Little advertisements and it was tucked away in the neighborhood. I asked the people running the sale where they advertised and they said the local paper. I was just didn't know that was still a thing.

 

[ZRX61]

You wont find heavy 10's very easily and if that was in good shape that was an awesome price. Paul

I sold mine for about $3k

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

www.auctionzip.com lists a good portion of them. Keep your eyes/ears open in the local paper, on craigs. and on bulletin boards around town for others.

2x to Auctionzip.. They typically have the most, but I also look in the paper and keep my eyes peeled when I do to go auctions to see what advertisements they are sharing onsite.

 

[rebiltit]

Hi

Look for the serial on the right end of the front weigh. Then go to this website.

http://www.wswells.com/serial_number.html

rebiltit