Buying A Used Lathe, What Should I Know?

Some people look at me as odd because I live by a few sayings that I’ve picked up. Some of them are a bit tongue in cheek, but they are focused on positive outcomes. “Besting your best”, and “Green and growing” make me think that you ARE a machinist and welder. Some people just sit on the sidelines of life as apposed to “Playing the game (of life)”. In that spirit, I appreciate all of links, and information. You folks have given me a good deal of direction. I look forward to immersing into this.

 

I have always lived by the belief that the day I quit learning is the day they shovel dirt in my face!
There isn't a machinist or toolmaker alive that knows it all, it is an on going learning experience until you retire, quit or die.

 

Here is my South Bend 9", it is a 1943 War production model. This is a before and after photo, taken about a year between the photos, I paid $400 for this machine back in 2003, it was shipped from Pawtucket Rhode Island. I know the history of this machine pretty decent. It was used to make parts for the Mark V gun sites during the war. I repaired a few things, updated a few things and did modifications the factory never did. This is the most manufactured machine tool in the world. Much like the jeep this machine was licensed to every major country in the world and was produced in the USA from 1939 until 1979? It was produced in Australia until the early 90's. Easy to run, simple to repair and new parts are still made and used parts are everywhere.





My other lathe is a duplicate but it is 12" longer and 3 years newer, built in 1946.

 

When I come up with one, I’ll be curious to hear about your repairs and upgrades.

 

A milling machine will be of more use than a lathe.

 

While I use my mill a lot I make a ton of parts on my lathe also. Me personally, I use them both about the same. Saying that a mill would be of more use than a lathe would be incorrect unless you know what he is going to make.
Shafts, spindles, shock mounts, threading and a multitude of other projects. can be done on a lathe. Most of these functions would be tough or near impossible to do on a mill.

 

A wrench makes a lousy screwdriver, A screwdriver isn't much use as a wrench. Different tools for different jobs but you pretty much need both if you are going to do general work. I will agree that I use my mill a lot more than my lathe. I have also used a mill as a lathe and lathe as a mill in certain instances..
Oh, you should have a surface grinder and a bandsaw too.

 

All my life I wanted both. Then I managed to get both. Restoring lots of old british motorcycles.
The mill is a king kong drill press too. I just sold the lathe and tooling for $700.
But a crescent wrench makes a pretty good hammer when working on a jeep!

 

This south bend is what I have access to at my inlaws. He also has an atlas with less wear and more sentimental value. Before covid I had a standing invitation to the mill and lathe at work.
20191228_170607 by Joe with a jeep, on Flickr

If you really want to learn something there is a series:
https://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-M...ne+shop&qid=1602547821&sprefix=gengery&sr=8-3

 

Here are the lathes and tooling from my buddy’s grandfather. I think it’s a pretty good starting point for the price. I have already started to disassemble the South Bend to replace felts, clean and inspect everything. There are couple odds and ends I need to acquire. It should make for a fun winter project.

 

Nice. I'll be anxious to follow this process.

 

The shaft has a small spot I need to file and polish. The casting on the other hand is certainly not ideal. I pulled some shavings and debris out of the front oil hole (at the edge of the opening). The oilers in the center appear to have been doing their job, as everything was coated with oil. No idea how long it’s been like that, and if someone else has already cleaned up the high spots. Oliver oiled everything, and as there were oil cans that came with the tooling, I have no doubt that he oiled the lathe too. I’m not sure yet how to proceed. Until then, I’ll keep disassembling...

 

Clean the bore up with paper and a small fine riffler file. Remove the wool wick, get new ones off of eBay for a horizontal drive 9” lathe, clean out the well, soak the new wicks and install them with the locks. Install the lubed up spindle, remove the locks and spin by hand to insure it is all smooth and well lubed before final reassembly. You will need a fish scale to set the spindle preload. You have my number call or text if you need any help. Polish the spindle with 800 to 1000 grit Emory.
Were there any brass wire clips in those holes?

 

Is this what you mean by the brass wire clips?

 

Nope but that looks nasty as $hit, those might very well be the originals installed in the 1950’s. Here is a whole kit for new felts for your machine.

South Bend Lathe 9" Model A - Rebuild Parts Kit | eBay

 

Here is a photo of the clips and where they go.




Both of my machines have the segmented bearing instead of the smooth bore. Not sure why they changed over the years but most of the 1940’s models have them.

 

I don’t have those clips... I did a quick search, and haven’t found replacements. Are these something that can be bent/shaped to dimension?

 

Its possible your lathe never came with them, There are a lot of them on the South Bend lathe board that apparently never had them.