Southbend 9" lathe

[trackwelder]

There is a southbend 9" lathe for sale locally that I might be interested in. It seems to be complete and in great shape. It has some tooling and the price seems reasonable. The asking price is $650.00 and the owner seems very firm on it. He bought it in the 70's and used it a few times. The bed is 3' long and I was told it was made in the thirtys. I plan on getting the serial number and verifying the date of mfg. What is a good price for this size machine? Thanks for any advice.

 

[vssjim]

You can always resell a Southbend lathe for probably more than you pay for it if you decide like it after you use it and at that price you can't go wrong.

 

[chad s]

Thats a good price. SB (" machines hold very good value. As long as it has a 3 jaw chuck (and a 4 jaw independant would be nice too), and has good ways, you have a good deal.

 

[trackwelder]

It has both the 3&4 inch chucks.

 

[OldCarGuy]

It’s best to have a machinist friend tag along with you when you take a look at the lathe to help determine the shape. The condition of the ways tells a lot how the machine was treated and its’ overall condition. It’s better that the lathe have quick change feed gears. But if it’s that old, it will not. If it doesn’t make sure it has a full set of gears.

Check what voltage. More likely than not it’s 120 Volts. A taper attachment is a big plus. Tooling can add a lot of value. Three jaw and a four jaw chucks along with their wrenches are a necessity. It should have a face plate and center, hopefully one live center. Then look a the type of tool post and holders. Along with the tail stock drill chuck.

Unless it’s junk, I’d say it would be worth the $650.00; but not a steal if it didn't have most the tooling I mention. Furthermore it would be easy to recoup your money if you decide to upgrade..

 

[trackwelder]

No machinists friends on my end as off yet. I have always wanted to learn and figured it mine as well be now. Its a friends father who has it and he never really learned to use it. I looked at it today quick as I didn't have much time, but will look closer at it in the am. Thanks for the advice guys its much appreciated.

 

[ZRX61]

It’s better that the lathe have quick change feed gears. But if it’s that old, it will not...

My 13in SB was built in 1937 & it has them.......

 

[Joe B.]

Where do I find one of these machinist friends? All of my friends just know how to use MS Excel and PowerPoint.

Maybe I'm running with the wrong crowd.

 

[trackwelder]

Here is a few pics

 

[trackwelder]

 

[goodfellow]

That looks like a very old model tailstock -- make sure it has a set of change gears.

 

[trackwelder]

 

[Uncle Buck]

As others have said, the more tooling you can get the better. I would not base a purchase decision on a taper attachment, or QC gears either. QC is very nice, but for this price you can do without it. Personally I would say if it has a few tool holders, 3&4 jaw chucks, a faceplate and a center or two pay the man his price IN A HURRY!and get that baby home! It actually looks like a well cared for machine to me and if you pass I think you will regret it later. Good luck and get to buyin!

Ideally you should get all the individual manual gears with it, but if you are missing one or two don't let that stop you from buying it as there are tons of those old lathes, and parts for them out there.

 

[trackwelder]

I went to look at it in more detail today and nobody was home. Late in the morning my buddy called me up and told me he was at my shop with his father and had the lathe on his truck. I told him I was not sure if I really wanted it and that was why I was coming buy in the morning to look at it better. I have known him since I was a kid and he said play with it for a while if you want it then you can pay me for it. He plans on moving to florida in a few years when he retires and wants to start selling off the stuff he won't use. He even brought me a box full of stanley planes as he knows I use to be big into woodworking. Now I have to convince him that he does not need that huge thickness planer in his garage

 

[chad s]

That is a 30's era machine, my SB 1932 8" Jr. has the same type of gears. I absolutely love my lathe!

 

[OldCarGuy]

From the pictures I’d say the lathe has been taken good care of. And a nice beginner’s lathe to toy around with. I’d work out a deal and pay him what he wants over a period of months. Or have him throw in that old bench vice in the picture...

Besides not having quick change gears, looks as if there isn’t power feed to the cross slide. And the way the feed to the carriage is set up, you’ll have to be careful not to run it against something solid. You’ll either snap something or bend the lead-screw. Not having quick change gears isn’t too much problem to overcome. If there isn’t a chart inside the gear cover, You will need a manual to find the proper gear selection for chasing threads. Missing gears are easy to pick up along with the manual and other parts.

Depending on what type of parts you’re turning on a lathe a taper attachment would come in handy. But here are other ways to turn a taper. The simplest way would be using the compound slide, though you’re limited by the length its’ travel. The second way would be to place the work between centers and offsetting the tailstock.

Before you start running the lathe. Get the manual and other beginner’s books on lathes and study how to run it safely. Understand all the machines pinch points and always wear proper eye protection!

 

[dxdexter]

Looks to be well worth the asking price. I have a sales brochure from 1954 showing a nearly identical model as your picture, so these must have been made for quite a number of years.

What is included besides the lathe?

 

[trackwelder]

It has both the 3 and 4 jaw chucks, center plate, about a dozen or so tool holders, wrenches, bits, two knurling holders and rollers,and a bunch of other stuff. It has a dayton motor that can be wired 115 or 230. That big vise is alreay mine i got it this past weekend. Now I have to figure out where to put it, and wire it up.

 

[Uncle Buck]

It has both the 3 and 4 jaw chucks, center plate, about a dozen or so tool holders, wrenches, bits, two knurling holders and rollers,and a bunch of other stuff. It has a dayton motor that can be wired 115 or 230. That big vise is alreay mine i got it this past weekend. Now I have to figure out where to put it, and wire it up.

I always figured I have plenty of time to figure out the minor details once I get my goodies home!

 

[trackwelder]

I always figured I have plenty of time to figure out the minor details once I get my goodies home!

My problem is I am almost to the door of the garage with tools, cars, and equipment. I gotta get a bigger garage soon

 

[chad s]

It has both the 3 and 4 jaw chucks, center plate, about a dozen or so tool holders, wrenches, bits, two knurling holders and rollers,and a bunch of other stuff. It has a dayton motor that can be wired 115 or 230. That big vise is alreay mine i got it this past weekend. Now I have to figure out where to put it, and wire it up.

With whats included, if it was in my area, Id buy it without thinking twice, even through I have an SB 8". If you can afford it, you should go for it, you may regret it later. That is assuming the ways are in good shape.

 

[trackwelder]

I did decide to buy it and he is pretty sure that he has a machinst box of tools he is going to give me along with some reference books when he finds them.