South bend lathe

[MLimpert]

My dad passed down my grandpa's lathe to me today. Thought I'd share a pic for you... It looks like there are some old machinery fans on here.



Its pretty clean and works well. I've had the pleasure of using it a time or two in the past. It looks to be from 1929 from what I could find on the internet tonight. Its super heavy and totally overbuilt like many things from a previous era. I wish I had a project to try it out on!



Does anyone know if tooling is still available for this machine? It only has a basic assortment of tools with it.

 

[cap-n-cray]

South Bend lathes are great old machine tools. I have an old 9" precision tool shop lathe. It looks similar. 9" is the swing, try and find out what size it is. There is a lot of tooling and parts still available. Do a search on Ebay.



Cary

 

[BlitzkriegSSII]

You can grind any tools you need. If you need any tips let me know.

 

[MLimpert]

I got this from the factory this morning...



"Your 11"X5-1/2' South Bend lathe was shipped on June 24, 1929. "



I think its pretty cool they have kept records going back that far.



I've seen grandpa making tips on the grinder enough that I could probably repeat it. I've never seen him cut threads with it, and that is something I would definately like to learn. I see some how to run a lathe type books on ebay - I'll probably try to pick one up.

 

[GHarman]

Thats a fine looking piece of machinery! I learned on a South Bend lathe, 38 years ago. Have fun! GregH

 

[rbattelle]

You'll want to become active here!

Nice machines, they are! Used parts are still readily available.

Ryan

 

[MLimpert]

Wow... Lotta good info there! Thanks for the link.

 

[rbattelle]

You might also check consider joining the South Bend Yahoo group. I get 50 or so messages in my inbox from the group every day. Depending on your tolerance for email traffic, you might enjoy it.

I have a 13" myself, not in nearly so good condition as yours. What you have there is very valuable if it's got good ways.

The first thing every South Bend lathe owner needs is a copy of How To Run A Lathe, by South Bend Lathe Works. Look on Ebay or your favorite online used book dealer for the 1929 printing. Some people consider it the finest lathe book ever written.

Ryan