Hmmm

confederatemule · Mar 31, 2018

I looked at a South Bend Lathe today. It is 12" x 96". Has a rear mounted motor. The only info plates I found are on the legs. The asking price is $1500.00. The sign says; "Metal lathe with all attachments and tools". The shop has a dirt floor and has been dormant for over 4 years. I stopped and looked at it.

I wonder what model it is? Will I ever know? There are no gear covers.

Mule

johnoder · Mar 31, 2018

13" (?) Series O from the teens / twenties

1913 catalog - thanks to Mr. Wells

http://www.wswells.com/data/catalog/1913_catalog/1913_catalog.pdf

confederatemule · Mar 31, 2018

Johnoder, thanks for the response and link.
So, it did not come with gear covers?
Where should I look for catalog, Model, and serial numbers?
It was in working order when the man died, a little over 4 years ago. It is four miles away from me on the road I live on. The son that was showing it offered to get an extension cord to plug it in and turn it on. I declined.
It has a single phase motor on it. I does have change gears and some other tooling (?)in a box under the lathe. I didn't really get to see in.
Judging from the pictures is it worth $1500.00?
Mule

johnoder · Apr 1, 2018

No expert, but I doubt there will be more than a serial which will be right end on top, stamped into machined cast iron in between two front ways. With that serial it can be determined if it is old enough to have come without covers. You can also look for unused tapped holes showing covers used to be there but are now gone - at least as related to spindle gearing.

The tag on the leg at the headstock end MOSTLY tells about what change gears to use for cutting various TPI threads

Something like that would REALLY have to be WANTED by someone to bring anywhere near $1500. I'd say nearer $150. It is very well likely to be at least a hundred years old and comes with a wimp motor. But I should not talk - in 1966 I ran my twenties 13 X 5 foot on a 1/3 HP washing machine motor. That $100 lathe came with a nice Jacobs drill chuck that still is in service 52 years later

confederatemule said:
Johnoder, thanks for the response and link.
So, it did not come with gear covers?
Where should I look for catalog, Model, and serial numbers?
It was in working order when the man died, a little over 4 years ago. It is four miles away from me on the road I live on. The son that was showing it offered to get an extension cord to plug it in and turn it on. I declined.
It has a single phase motor on it. I does have change gears and some other tooling (?)in a box under the lathe. I didn't really get to see in.
Judging from the pictures is it worth $1500.00?
Mule

rj1939 · Apr 1, 2018

Definitely rich on the price. Unless there is a lot that isn't seen that comes with it.
I do like the long bed, didn't know they made a 12 or 13 that long.

kitno455 · Apr 1, 2018

Heh, dirt daubers have filled the chuck key holes and the drill chuck. I bet they have filled other holes as well, and probably made a mess of the back of the apron. If you get it, spend some time cleaning it first.

And, any lathe is better than no lathe, but that price is pretty high, even in texas.

allan

confederatemule · Apr 1, 2018

Are any repair parts available for it?

Mule

confederatemule · Apr 1, 2018

I am gonna make an offer tomorrow. My only reason for wanting it is the size. I have a South Bend 9" x 30" model c. The condition, location, lack of light, being so piled up around it, etc keeps me from doing much checking for wear.

What would be a fair offer for both of us? (I know that is an almost impossible question to answer.)

Mule

Rob F. · Apr 1, 2018

There should be some kind of tooling with it, how else was the guy using it before? More tooling - higher price. If the seller is stuck at aprox $1500 then have a good look around and see what else (non lathe related) you can get thrown in to make it better for you. You should have some idea of what is there since you sort of saw it once already.
Good luck!
Did you see this other thrad?
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...uth-bend-lathe-what-worth-348633/#post3152316

kitno455 · Apr 2, 2018

Wear? It is probably heavily worn. It is 100ish years old, almost nothing was hardened, and has a total loss oiling system. The aprons in these are particularly prone to damage, either through poor oiling or operator error. You should inspect the back of the apron with a mirror and light. You should also verify that power feeds and threading work as expected.

Assuming all that checks out and it only includes the tooling pictured, that is a max $500 lathe.

allan

johnoder · Apr 2, 2018

confederatemule said:
Are any repair parts available for it?

Mule

That is unlikely if only due to its elderly-ness

Seriously - if you are in to ancient mechanisms, you also need to be into making parts for them from scratch

When such things get old enough, you can in all practicality forget the word "find" when it comes to acquiring parts for it

Just something as simple as a back plate or chuck that screws on that spindle nose - if you are lucky, it will have the ancient and mostly hard to find 1 7/8 - 8 nose. If you are not so lucky - something even more remote, forgotten and unobtainable - unless made by you to fit

confederatemule · Apr 3, 2018

The man's wife posted another picture.

confederatemule · Apr 14, 2018

I finally got the serial number. 19723

CarlBoyd · Apr 14, 2018

Unless there is a big stack of change gears it has little value.

CarlBoyd

johnoder · Apr 14, 2018

confederatemule said:
I finally got the serial number. 19723

About 100 this year - maybe 101

confederatemule · Apr 14, 2018

johnoder said:
About 100 this year - maybe 101

John, do you think an offer of $101.00 would make a difference?

johnoder · Apr 14, 2018

confederatemule said:
John, do you think an offer of $101.00 would make a difference?

Talking about age, not cost

moonlight machine · Apr 14, 2018

Nothing causes more wear faster than a dirt floor shop, dust and grit everywhere you don't want it. that thing is worth maybe 3-500.00 max. I would be hard pressed to spend 100.00 on it.

confederatemule · Apr 21, 2018

Well, I bit the bullet today. I paid down and made arrangements to pay the rest when I get my ss check next month. I gave more than y'all recommended. I asked for the bottom price and it was $800.00. I agreed to pay it, but there is a story...

These pictures will show the accessories that came with it. Plus a TTC model mb-oo1 magnetic base and a dial indicator that needs a new crystal [plastic lens]. I am sure the indicator is of the same quality as the magnetic base. And a small hand held tool box full of hand reamers. I may be able to salvage 3 out of the box.

confederatemule · Apr 21, 2018

Hmmm

Aluminum

Diamond

Aluminum

Diamond

Stainless

Titanium

Aluminum

Aluminum

Diamond

Titanium

Diamond

Aluminum

Aluminum

Hot Rolled

Diamond

Aluminum

Diamond

Diamond

Aluminum

Attachments

Aluminum

Attachments

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