South Bend number 5?

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nkalbrr

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Yesterday I purchased a SB lathe from an elderly gentleman. The lathe was used primarily to make armatures and came with tooling associated for that work. I thought it was a 9c but after I got home I now believe it's a model 5 made in 1934 (according to SN 54052) It's still at his shop because he couldn't help me load it. The change gears are for a 5 but from what I have read the model 5 was morphing into a 9 at the same time period The spindle is a 1 3/8 x 10 and I believe that SB changed that to 1 1/2 x 8. It came with a 3 jaw chuck, face plate , 2 dogs ,2 centers ,change gears and the above mentioned tools for armature making. I paid 500.00 because he said that it's been in his family since it was made . I would say that he was in his late 80's. After I get it home and clean it up what tooling should I purchase first. Thanks for listening
 
Hi,

It sounds like you've made a nice find and I believe I have a lathe just like it. The 1 3/8 spindle thread suggests you have an 8 inch Junior. My Junior is S/N 50826. I contacted South Bend in 1985 and they told me the lathe was built in 1932. The copy of "How to Run a Lathe" that came with my lathe is dated 1932 and page 128 shows the 8 inch Junior. There is a 9 inch Junior on page 126. Page 156 lists some specs for the South Bend line of lathes. The pulley on the 8 inch has 1 inch width cones on the spindle pulley and the 9 inch has 1 1/4 inch cones. By cones they mean the width of the steps on the pulley. What do the pulley cones measure on your machine?

The 8 inch lathe is mentioned in this link: http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend/page3.html

I've also got an installation drawing for the 8 inch, dated 11-10-31. Spindle speeds are listed as 675, 480, and 222 in direct and 130, 73, and 43 in back gear. My lathe has babbit spindle bearings.

As to toolng to buy, you might look for a four jaw chuck and a drill chuck for the tail stock. Did a tool post come with your lathe? I'm partial to quick change tool posts rather than the lantern style. An AXA size tool post might work well.

Again, nice find. I think you'll enjoy this machine.

Regards,

Chuck
 
Hi,

It sounds like you've made a nice find and I believe I have a lathe just like it. The 1 3/8 spindle thread suggests you have an 8 inch Junior. My Junior is S/N 50826. I contacted South Bend in 1985 and they told me the lathe was built in 1932. The copy of "How to Run a Lathe" that came with my lathe is dated 1932 and page 128 shows the 8 inch Junior. There is a 9 inch Junior on page 126. Page 156 lists some specs for the South Bend line of lathes. The pulley on the 8 inch has 1 inch width cones on the spindle pulley and the 9 inch has 1 1/4 inch cones. By cones they mean the width of the steps on the pulley. What do the pulley cones measure on your machine?

The 8 inch lathe is mentioned in this link: http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend/page3.html

I've also got an installation drawing for the 8 inch, dated 11-10-31. Spindle speeds are listed as 675, 480, and 222 in direct and 130, 73, and 43 in back gear. My lathe has babbit spindle bearings.

As to toolng to buy, you might look for a four jaw chuck and a drill chuck for the tail stock. Did a tool post come with your lathe? I'm partial to quick change tool posts rather than the lantern style. An AXA size tool post might work well.

Again, nice find. I think you'll enjoy this machine.

Regards,

Chuck

I am going to pick it up on Saturday morning. I know it has 2 lantern style holders a right and a cut-off. The jacks chuck that came with the box is marked for armature support. It also came with 2 Van Norman cutters a 1 and 2 and a few cone shaped cutters( I guess they were used in making the armatures). I guess I will figure it out when I pick it up searches on the net show a lot of overlap with different models. Thanks for the reply
 
Well my brother and I picked the lathe up this am. It is a 405-z with a 3 1/2 ft bed ,it is an early one with a open tailstock. The machine was sold by the Hess-Schenck of Cleveland Ohio. I spoke with one of the gentleman at the shop(same location since 1938) and he said the lathe was probably purchased new by the owners brother who passed away in the early 1970's he said the last time the lathe was run was about 2 years ago. He also informed me that the lathe was only used to remanufacture armatures . I can't wait to clean her up and start cutting some metal.
 
What would be a good product to use to give a good overall cleaning to this new toy? would it be a smart move to tear it apart and replace the felts?
 
Mineral spirits might work well for cleaning your lathe. Do you mean the felts on the carriage and tailstock that wipe the ways? That doesn't take much teardown.

Chuck
 

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