FS Two South Bend 21" Lathes $1000

I have two 21” South Bend lathes that I need to sell. One of the lathes (SN 23118) has a 14’ bed and was shipped on 4/22/1920. The other one (SN 24534) has a 12’ bed and was shipped on 9/27/20. I want to sell them both at the same time. Both of the lathes have one pedestal that is broken. One lathe is missing the end gear guard, some of the back gear guards, and the tailstock spindle. One lathe is missing the cone pulley (converted to variable speed) and the crossfeed slide chip guard. From what I can see, both of the lathes have good lead screws and surprisingly good looking beds. Here is what will come with the lathes:

• One 12” three jaw chuck with soft jaws,
• One 16” four jaw chuck
• One 11” chuck backplate
• One 18” faceplate
• One steady rest
• One follower rest
• One threading dial
• Some of the change gears
• Assorted minor parts
• I can include a recently rebuilt 5Hp 3 phase motor and a countershaft assembly from a 16” South Bend lathe

My original plan was to make two working lathes. One (that I would have kept) would have all the best parts from both lathes, and one lathe would be good, but missing some guards and other parts.

I can load onto a flat bed trailer. The available literature shows the weight of the lathes to be about 4200lbs each. Depending on the trailer, two trips may be required.

Here is a Practical Machinist post that I made on both lathes:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...bend-lathe-317937/?highlight=south+bend+lathe

I know these are bigger than most people want, but there is a lot in this lot

Send me an email as opposed to a PM as I am much more likely to see it.

Hello,

Interested....

What would be a good email to catch you at?

Thanks

I think I need to clarify/correct what I have said about the two lathes so I will post additional info in two posts.

The newer lathe (SN24534) is in good condition and appears to have less than .015” of backlash in either the compound or cross slide. I have cleaned a section of the front way near the headstock and as you can see from the first two pictures below, the ways look pretty good and there does not appear to be a dreaded South Bend Ridge on the ways.

The third picture below shows the main spindle bearing cap and the spindle on the newer lathe. While there is some scoring, it is not bad at all.

The biggest problems with the lathe are the broken pedestal on the tailstock end and the variable speed conversion done on the headstock. Both problems could be fixed using parts from the older, more crusty lathe. Change gears are also needed.

The older, crusty lathe (SN 23118) could be restored but would require a good bit of work. I have cleaned a section of the front way near the headstock and as you can see from the first two pictures below, the ways near the headstock are pretty beat up from the operator dropping chucks etc. However, the wear on the ways is not bad and there does not appear to be a dreaded South Bend Ridge on the ways.

The third picture below shows the main spindle bearing cap and the spindle on the older, crusty lathe. While there is some scoring and clear signs it ways turned without lubrication (bronze on the spindle), I still believe it could be cleaned up and made serviceable.

The older crusty lathe has quite a few issues including: generally crusty condition with lots of dirt and rust removal required, missing tailstock quill, missing bull gear guards, missing end gear guard, missing cross slide chip guard, broken pedestal on the tailstock end, and other problems not yet identified. Change gears are also required.

I have moved the pedestal and the step pulley from the crusty lathe to the good lathe and scrapped the crusty lathe. I will start a new post of the good lathe as it is now.