Old South Bend lathe

[crazyal]

So I was given an old 9" SB lathe. It's not the one with the gear box, you have to change gears. It's a little rough from being old and lack of use but the bearings feel smooth. I assume that it hasn't had any maintenance done to it and will need that done long before it can be used. I figured welding would be a good section to post this in. It has several bit holders and lots of bits but I don't see any spare gears. Also there's a speed reduction gear by the belt pulleys that has some chipped teeth on it. Not sure if it's worth fixing up, other than the satisfaction of doing so. Is there places where parts can be bought for it. It looks like it was a pretty popular lathe.

 

[MossRoad]

South Bend Lathe Co.

 

[crazyal]

South Bend Lathe Co.

When you go to that page there's another link to Grizzly to order parts but that link doesn't work. Doesn't really say if they are new old stock parts or if they are Asian made parts like the new South Bend lathes.

 

[MossRoad]

When you go to that page there's another link to Grizzly to order parts but that link doesn't work. Doesn't really say if they are new old stock parts or if they are Asian made parts like the new South Bend lathes.

There's a phone number at the bottom of the page.

 

[LD1]

Check the bed/ways first. if they are shot it may not be worth sinking money into

Wheel the carriage up near the chuck. Try to pick up on the carriage to see how much slop is in it. Then wheel it out near the tailstock and repeat.

Slop isnt necessarily a bad thing. Slop can be taken out. What you want is it to be even. If there is alot of slop at the headstock end and none at the tailstock end....you cannot adjust that out. Because if you tighten it up to satisfaction at the headstock end, you will NOT be able to wheel the carriage out very far away from the headstock.

Then you are into alot of time and $$$ to regrind the ways.

IF the bed passes.....compile a list of everything it needs, check availability, and price parts before ordering anything to make sure its even possible and worthwhile.

 

[user.69169]

Old flat belt conehead. Change gears should have been hanging on legs or in wood box. Top half of drive missing. Looks around 1900. Safety system is keeping fingers where dey belong.

Go here.
Antique Machinery and History

Post pictures
Say PLEASE & THANKS and you have more information and good men helping you den you can count.

 

[jmc]

I picked one up just like that in the mid 70's. (It was separated from its change gears too) Bought replacements gears from local dealer running his business out of his garage. He threw in this book and it's full of good info:

 

[jmc]

I picked one up just like that in the mid 70's. (It was separated from its change gears too) Bought replacements gears from local dealer running his business out of his garage. He threw in this book and it's full of good info:

How to Run a Lathe - English Version at Grizzly.com

 

[metalbender]

Had a similar one years ago. Was worn when I got it, didn't have any experience on checking. Try adjusting the carriage lock till it just drags at the headstock, run the carriage along the bed with the handwheel, see where it starts to drag hard or lock. Even with a worn bed, some decent work can still be done, although short sections. Mine had a synthetic flat belt. A multi groove automotive belt can be made to work as a cheap trial service part. You don't want to take apart the headstock to install a belt. The price was right. Keep posting and asking.

 

[user.69169]

You find a lot here
South Bend Lathes

Good site you can work out from