Can Someone Please Identify the Lathe for Me?

MARVINGARDENS · Dec 28, 2014

Hi.

Real rookie question here. This lathe has come up for sale locally. I haven't seen it yet and the owner doesn't know anything about it. I don't know anything about it either. I'm being told to find a South Bend Heavy 10L for my future gunsmithing projects.

Does anything jump out at anyone?

Thank you.

Bob

Richard King · Dec 28, 2014

I just bought one a little newer then that last summer for $500.00. It's a South Bend. Plus my cabinet is under all of mine. Mine might be a bit shorter. I will have to check the model and post it later. Rich

JohnEvans · Dec 28, 2014

Big bore spindle + cam lock chuck mount = Heavy 10. Only smaller SB that I would even consider owning. GRAB IT !! And Taper Attachment what you waiting for.

Spyderedge · Dec 28, 2014

It's a 10l

MARVINGARDENS · Dec 28, 2014

What would the distance between centers be?

Was just told the serial number is 4704RKX12

Thanks

Bob

JohnEvans · Dec 28, 2014

Looks to be 36" aprox.
PS Central valley of WHAT? CA or NJ ? Price will be a lot higher in CA.

MARVINGARDENS · Dec 28, 2014

Central Valley of California.

Owner thought 24" but doesn't know. Says he bought it about ten years ago to learn on but he never got around to it.

Thanks

Bob

B.Kliebert · Dec 28, 2014

Bob, it will work just fine for rifle length barrels as long you aren't hung up on that between centers is the only way to chamber.

Buck

MARVINGARDENS · Dec 28, 2014

Thanks everyone. I truly do appreciate all of the information I have received here.

I would like to find one with a longer bed. I'll just have to see how this works out when my friend and I go check it out.

Thanks again.

Bob

bob308 · Dec 28, 2014

for a first lathe and to learn on buy it if the price is good. when you out grow it you will still have a nice lathe to resell when you find a better one.

packrat2 · Dec 29, 2014

Don't be too quick to pass up that lathe, if its in good shape and a price you can live with,
a short bed you can do a lot....

iwananew10K · Dec 29, 2014

my eyes are bad, but i think the pic is deceiving, the big gap between the motor base and drawers of the stand tell me it`s longer bed. 4 footer??

which with the D chuck would net something around 28"-30" CC??

packardbill · Dec 29, 2014

Looks like my 4-footer. If it's in good shape (check the ways) and the price is right...buy it. Even with the cam-lock chuck you should still get 24'' . I've done 24" but the spindle is threaded.

Large dials would be nicer, but, you can always upgrade later. As said above, might be a good'un. PB

jim rozen · Dec 29, 2014

Interesting:

Somebody has either

a) changed the spindle in the original headstock,
b) changed the headstock on the lathe, or
c) put an older cabinet underneath a newer lathe.

I don't think that the machines build on the loopy pipe leg cabinets
were ever offered with cam-lock spindles.

?

MARVINGARDENS · Dec 29, 2014

MARVINGARDENS said:
Was just told the serial number is 4704RKX12

Does anyone have an idea where that serial number dates the machine?

Thanks

Bob

comstockfriend · Dec 29, 2014

s/n 3937 was Feb '51, next on the serial number list I have is 6969 in Sept '54. The 'X' in the serial number denotes a special, usually a flame hardened bed, a very good thing to have.

John

MARVINGARDENS · Dec 30, 2014

Thanks again everyone.

Bob

Vladymere gr · Dec 30, 2014

Regarding barrel profiling, how often do smiths do this now days. Barrels are usualy purchased already profiled.

Vlad

SBLatheman · Dec 30, 2014

jim rozen said:
Interesting:

Somebody has either

a) changed the spindle in the original headstock,
b) changed the headstock on the lathe, or
c) put an older cabinet underneath a newer lathe.

I don't think that the machines build on the loopy pipe leg cabinets
were ever offered with cam-lock spindles.

?

That machine has a D1-3 spindle. It was available in that time frame.
Ted

JNieman · Dec 30, 2014

Vladymere gr said:
Regarding barrel profiling, how often do smiths do this now days. Barrels are usualy purchased already profiled.

Vlad

That's the only way I've ever seen it. I've profiled a couple barrels but it was mostly people with a barrel they decided was too heavy, or they wanted something custom done for wild-ass reasons. Another was a guy who just wanted his gun tinkered with because he felt it was better by "being customized"

But yea... I don't think you're losing anything by not being able to do a 32" barrel between centers. I only had a few years seeing customers at a couple gunsmith shops, and no one ever asked for a custom profile barrel on any rifles built. So long as you can put a spider on the back of the through bore, you're good to go for the either-end work.

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