Look What I Dragged Home!

[rbattelle]

Words cannot describe how excited I am. 1952 South Bend 13". I thought it would be another 10 or 15 years before I got a lathe, but then this one came upon me all of a sudden.



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Ryan

 

[courierdog]

Every time I visit the Toy Stores something wants a new home!!

 

[LaserBob]

Looks like a dual or triple disc to me.

 

[WDixon27]

i think it sucks... ... ... better let me haul it away for you :-laf

 

[Misenheimer]

I have one just like that. It is a little low on power and low on spindle speed for carbide but I have made a lot of parts that would have cost me an arm & leg.

 

[WHazelwood]

I'm jealous!

Keep grinnin

 

[GHarman]

I'm jealous!

Keep grinnin

SSSSMMMMOOOOOOTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. GregH

 

[rbattelle]

It is a little low on power

Really!? The advice I got over at Practical Machinist was that 1 hp is plenty as long as I don't take super-heavy cuts in steel.



Ryan

 

[GHarman]

Ryan, Another thought I had was Railroad or Toe jacks. I have used both and they can get right on the bottom of a piece of machinery. You may be able to rent them? GregH

 

[rbattelle]

Greg,

Today I placed two 4x4 blocks (30" long) beneath the heavy end of the lathe, effectively taking most of the load off the casters on that end.

I was thinking of making up a steel platform instead of wood, but the wood blocks turned out to be very sturdy. I think they will suffice.

At the other end (the light end), I still have it supported on the casters. But I've noted that it's not very stable there, since the casters on that end are swivel-type. So I've got another wood block that I may stick under there.

I really need to get a machinist's level, but they are extremely expensive. I may make a first cut using a carpenters level and see where that gets me.

I won't really know what has to be done until I start cutting metal.

Ryan

 

[GHarman]

Ryan, Can you rent a machinists level? I know they are expensive, I bought one when I got my Lathe 19 years ago. They were expensive then! Be careful, take your time. You'll get-er-done. GregH

 

[CochranD]

Why would you worry about the machine being level? Just shim it close and use it, its not a 300k cnc swiss turn.

I work on these everyday, and only the cnc machines need to sit that flat.

 

[rbattelle]

Why would you worry about the machine being level? Just shim it close and use it, its not a 300k cnc swiss turn.

I work on these everyday, and only the cnc machines need to sit that flat.

Well, Greg has a valid point - the "best" way to do this is to level the lathe. Actually, more specifically, "level" is a relative term - you want to "twist" it until you minimize taper in long parts.



But you also have a good pint, CochranD. This lathe is quite old and worn, and is therefore rather limited in its capacity for holding tight tolerances. Even if perfectly leveled it won't turn parts as well as it did right out of the factory.



So there's a balance to be struck between time and effort in leveling the machine and achievable accuracy.



It'll be awhile before I know what needs to be done (if anything).



Ryan

 

[Chasweaver]

We did not use a level on the lathes in the Navy ships... .

 

[GiesJ]

Ryan -
Sweeet. What are you making first?

 

[GHarman]

We did not use a level on the lathes in the Navy ships... .

:-laf, Squids! It has to be SQUARE, relative to the deck, Maggot!

Actually, like Ryan said. You are really eliminating setting a twist in the bed of the lathe. ! That Lathe may have future potential with a little TLCOo. .

 

[rbattelle]

Ryan -

Sweeet. What are you making first?

No idea. Initially, lots of test bars to check accuracy. Then I need grinding wheel adapters for a tool grinder I bought awhile back. Some parts for my band saw. Maybe some truck parts.



The sky's the limit!



Ryan

 

[Chasweaver]

G Harman,, It was a joke sorry you did not get it... Charllie

 

[GHarman]

G Harman,, It was a joke sorry you did not get it... Charllie

I did get it!!!! :-laf I just couldnt resist interservice Rivalry, 'Specially against Squids:-laf:-laf:-laf GregH

 

[MD500E]

Bridgeport

Look what jumped into the back of my truck on my way home a few weeks ago! I just had to make it a nice home in the corner of the garage! I am new to machining but I am having lots of fun learning. So far all I have managed to make is chips! Good luck with the lathe!