Thread: 9A newbie questions

Hello all, I am a new owner of a SB 9A and am in the early stages of degreasing, cleaning and painting. To start is there a secret combinations of moves that must be performed to remove the compound rest and apron carriage? I have tried to find a set screw or something, but as of yet nothing. Trust me, I have a long list of things that must be done, but this being my first lathe I am very excited. Thanks for any help, Rick

welcome to the form. most of us love a long list of questions. as far as removing the compound rest, remove the "2" square head bolts on either side of the cross slide and it should come right off. note there is a secondary retention Pen in each hole, don't loose them. Ziploc bags work well for small parts. also take plenty of pictures of each assembly as you take it apart, this will help you put it back together.

As far as the apron goes there are two preferred methods of doing this.

the first method is to remove the right-hand lead screw support and move the carriage assembly off the end of the lathe. Make sure you support the lead screw before you remove the carriage assembly to prevent bending it.

The next method requires you to remove the lead screw first. On a model A. it requires you to remove the quick change gearbox and lead screw as one assembly. The best method that I have found is to remove the idler gears and then rotate the idler gear bracket until it touches the bench. Then move both tumbler to their lowest position, place a block of wood underneath the levers to support the gearbox. now remove the mounting screws supporting the quick change gearbox. Now you can slide the entire assembly lead screw and all out. make sure you support the lead screw.

now you can remove the right-hand lead screw support, and slide the assembly off the end of the bed.

I prefer using the second method because it supports the lead screw while you remove the gearbox. there is less chance of damaging anything.

promacjoe

Thanks Joe, I tried to remove the right side lead screw bracket and walk it off with no luck. Seems the carriage is hitting on the beds legs. Will try to drop the whole works next time I get some "Shop Time".

Thanks Rick

I too have a Southbend 9A 4-1/2 foot bed model, and am stripping, degreasing, etc. I have had questions as well, but at long last, it is now just a bare bed, with feet attached. Found a few things. My spindle did not want to come out, and was not comfortable whacking it with a hammer. So used a threaded rod, some washers, nuts, and a 2-1/4" or so inside diameter collar to extract it out. Worked perfectly. Will use it in reverse to reinstall the spindle. The apron guts are a bit of a puzzle to assemble, but with a manual (e-Bay), makes sense. My compound did not want to come off the cross slide. The two jam plugs were so gummed up, a few small whacks with a soft mallet began to move it out.

I bought a direct reading cross slide dial and will make the necessary parts to use this over the tiny dial that is on the lathe.

Wish you good luck with yours. Cleaning parts with Zep purple cleaner, which is doing a good job, but will remove paint if given enough time.

- Phil

Originally Posted by newman4711

Thanks Joe, I tried to remove the right side lead screw bracket and walk it off with no luck. Seems the carriage is hitting on the beds legs. Will try to drop the whole works next time I get some "Shop Time".

Thanks Rick

sorry about that, I forgot that some models do not allow you to do this. My lathe bed allows me to slide the whole assembly off.

remove the bed locking screw first, then remove the two screws on either side of the apron. the bed lock will fall out, so don't lose it.

it is a handful, so you might need some help but it should come out pretty easily. just don't drop it.

promacjoe