Lathe Pictures

[papermaker]

These are pictures of a lathe that I picked up. Need help identifing

[Steve Butram]

Nice Can't help you on the ID. I have a South bend Model B in my shop and I love it

[Rudi]

Jerry:

That is a real purdy lathe. Took machine shop in high school, that was the last time I used a metal lathe. Nice score

[Gary Dotson]

I can't help with the I D either, but it's a good lookin old girl! Like Steve, I have a South Bend and enjoy messing with it.

[papermaker]

The guy that I bought the lathe from said that it was a South Bend. There isn't any any of the usual markings of a South Bend.Trying to set up a "retirement shop". This is one of the things that I always wanted to learn to do earlier in life and finally have time.

[Steve Butram]

If you have a Surplus of time you might want to check out the Smokstack or Practical machinist web sites. click on the links.

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/

[CKCowboy]

Can't help with the ident either, sorry.
Here is another site you may want to check out, great bunch.

http://hobby-machinist.com/index.php

[Marion(57 Loboy)]

Papermaker,

I can help with identifying that vintage lathe.
Just drop it off here (complete with drive unit and any tooling you got with it), and I will return it as soon as I get all the answers you are seeking!

[papermaker]

Marion, That sounds like a good deal. I'll throw it over my shoulder and be there as quick as I can!!! Seriously,I've never used a lathe and have a lots to learn.
I think that the drive for the lath originally ran of a line shaft. The drive motor and step pulleys were mounted to the ceiling when I got it . I have since built a frame off the back of the lathe to mount both of these.
Now that I have thing freed up and working I plan on tearing it down to to the bare bed and paint it. There are signs of several different colors from beige to a dark gray to a metallic green. Without knowing the brand of lathe I guess I will go with a battleship gray.
A local trade school has decided not to teach traditional machining and to go strictly with CNC machining.They had put all of there traditional lathes and milling machines up for bid. I put a bid in on a Bridgeport milling machine but was out bid by $100.00. Oh well!
I think that this will be fun to use and should find several projects for it.

[Gary Dotson]

I consider myself to be far from being a real machinist, but just started tinkering with the lathe & mill at the place I used to work. You'll be surprised what you can do with just a little basic understanding of the machine and a bit of imagination on machining procedures. I mostly use mine for pretty basic stuff but sometimes put my brain to work to figure out a way to machine something I've never done before. It can be challenging and enjoyable, good luck with yours, I'm sure you'll enjoy the learning experience.

[Motorhead]

Nice lathe, it's called a cone head because of the flat belt cone shaped pulley. What you will find out is the tooling can easily outstrip the price of the machine. Collets, boring heads, chucks, spindles, bits, reamers, man the stuff adds up. I have had a small tool room lathe for 40 years and that thing has helped build hundreds of parts for my projects.
The latest thing I did was open up the new bearing on my idler gear for the CUb. Pics to follow.

[grumpy]

Looks just like my south bend but I don't have the quick change gearbox. It's at my son's so I can't get a pic. The carriage is the same as well as the headstock. Grump

[Marion(57 Loboy)]

Have fun working on your skills and knowledge!

Just remember...you can always take a little more off...it's very tough to put a little back on !

Safety tips for the newbie:

That machine does not have a brain...you MUST use yours!

Wear your safety glasses...you can chew with false teeth...you can walk on a wooden leg..but buddy, you cain't see nuttin with a glass eye.

DON'T:
wear gloves around ANYTHING that spins
wear loose clothing
store things on the wall behind your lathe
lean in or touch it until it stops turning
pull chips with your fingers (make a chip hook or use pliers)
work tired or in a hurry

[Marion(57 Loboy)]

This is not an example of permanent wiring for a machine tool.

I suggest putting that in securely fastened rigid conduit.

...just my 2cents

[papermaker]

Thanks for all of the tips! I've since got it running and have made a couple small projects. Had a medical issue earlier this summer and have really lacked the energy to tackle anything too big!
Still would like to find a milling machine (Bridgeport).
I've sped up the retirement process so I really need to get feeling better so I can get back to the shop.