South Bend 13 features

Tony from KY · May 1, 2013

I'm looking at a South Bend 13". Will someone point me to an operator's manual, list of features, anything that will tell me what this lathe can do?

What makes this lathe special?

S_W_Bausch · May 1, 2013

Tony from KY said:
What makes this lathe special?

Nothing, beyond the availability of parts, at the seller's price.

packardbill · May 1, 2013

What will a South Bend 13" lathe do? Well, how about turning, boring, facing, threading, some milling (with the appropriate attachment), just about anything a Hendey gear head or Leblonde, or even a Clausing will do....only slower (you won't take as big a bite .100" plus in say,4140).

What's special about a South Bend 13" lathe? Ease of operation and maintenance, parts availability, reasonable initial cost.

They are a nice machine and will do good work, if you do your part.

That about sums it up.

Find one with double tumbler gearbox and hard ways and a lever clutch, if you have time to look.

Tony from KY · May 1, 2013

packardbill said:
Find one with double tumbler gearbox and hard ways and a lever clutch, if you have time to look.

The one I'm looking at has a double tumbler gearbox and flame hardened ways. I don't know what a lever clutch is...

jpevner · May 2, 2013

Older models had a star shaped wheel on the apron to engage feeds. Newer models have a hand lever. Since this is a pressure based engagement, undoing the start wheel in time
can be a bit tricky. Much easier to flip the feed handle. Also easier to get consistent force before slipping the feed.

regards,

Jon P.

k3vyl · May 2, 2013

A 13 is a heavy 10 on steroids.Even uses some of the same accessories.

packrat2 · May 2, 2013

The SBL 13 inch is heavy about 1200 lbs.+ if you found a nice one at a good price, I would not pass it up.

Tony from KY · May 4, 2013

Thank you all for the feedback. I've made an offer!

edit - offer accepted!

MetalMunger · May 4, 2013

Enjoy!

Tony from KY said:
Thank you all for the feedback. I've made an offer!

edit - offer accepted!

Enjoy!
Remember to post pictures or it didn't happen.

Tony from KY · May 4, 2013

Here's a pic the seller took. I have not seen the machine in person yet. I'll document the trip, just for fun.

rsturgis · May 5, 2013

FYI............yours has the clutch lever, and congrats, welcome to the 13" club...........................Rick

bradjacob · May 6, 2013

Buy it. They're rigid and can do anything a 10 can do - and beyond.

Tony from KY · May 6, 2013

My current lathe is a circa 1937 Atlas 12" with Babbitt bearings and no features. This SB 13 might constitute and upgrade...

bradjacob · May 7, 2013

I thought I'd post a little video to show the 13" in action. Hope it helps...

South Bend Lathe - 13" Depth Of Cut - YouTube

packrat2 · May 7, 2013

good video...

Tony from KY · May 12, 2013

I fetched the lathe today - drove 730 miles. Here it is in my truck.

And pic #2

Of course, the challenge will be getting it OUT of the truck... the seller used a forklift...

traditional-tools · May 12, 2013

bradjacob said:
I thought I'd post a little video to show the 13" in action. Hope it helps...

South Bend Lathe - 13" Depth Of Cut - YouTube

Brad,

Not for nothing, but your video is misleading, IMO. While you are taking off .100" off the stock, you are not cutting .100" chips. You could take a similar cut on a SB9.

Do you think the SB13 can cut .100" chips? That's .025" shy of 1/8".

BTW, what is the thickness of the actual chip you cut?

Cheers,
Alan

traditional-tools · May 12, 2013

Tony from KY said:
I fetched the lathe today - drove 730 miles. Here it is in my truck.
...
Of course, the challenge will be getting it OUT of the truck... the seller used a forklift...

Nice looking lathe, cam lock spindle and hardened bed. :cheers:

You might be able to use an engine hoist, you only need to lift it a couple inches. You could also build a simple gantry type crane with 4x4s, and use a chain fall to lift it a few inches, drive the truck out, and lower to ground. The other way would be if you like to take things apart and put them back together? :rolleyes5:

Cheers,
Alan

Tony from KY · May 12, 2013

traditional-tools said:
Nice looking lathe, cam lock spindle and hardened bed.

Thanks!

traditional-tools said:
You might be able to use an engine hoist, you only need to lift it a couple inches. You could also build a simple gantry type crane with 4x4s, and use a chain fall to lift it a few inches, drive the truck out, and lower to ground. The other way would be if you like to take things apart and put them back together?

I have a barn that has 2x10 joists and a dirt floor. I could put down some patio pavers and then wedge a 4x4 between the pavers and the joists, on each side of the truck. I bought a 1 ton chain hoist for this purpose. The I hear the lathe is 1,500# give or take. Knowing how things tend to get rated, this may not be enough of a chain hoist. But it's not even out of the box. I could return it and get a 2 ton hoist...

I could also disassemble the lathe and remove it a piece at a time with what I have. I have to take it apart anyway to get it into the basement. I'm debating now on how much of a rebuild/repaint I want to do. I'm going to replace the felts before I run it and it's 3-phase so I'll need a VFD. In short, there's no rush. If it's in service by the fall I'll be delighted.

iwananew10K · May 12, 2013

call a tow truck with the boom. it`s an easy job for them and IME they are happy to make some easy cash.- last time I think it cost me a whopping 70 bucks- I gave him 100 just because it made things so easy.

nice machine!

South Bend 13 features

Plastic

Diamond

Cast Iron

Plastic

Stainless

Stainless

Hot Rolled

Plastic

Aluminum

Plastic

Aluminum

Titanium

Plastic

Titanium

Hot Rolled

Plastic

Diamond

Diamond

Plastic

Diamond

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