Southbend 13" x 41"

This is a good looking piece of older American iron. As a general, medium capacity,it will outdo most of the stuff out there today in that size class.

As a gunsmith lathe, primarily for doing barrels, it is a little long through the headstock as are most lathes currently being sold. Gunsmiths have different, and successful, ways around that problem.

There are some SBL 13" lathes that have a 3-step pulley. This one has a 4-step pulley. This adds about 2.5" to the through the spindle distance.

I'll guarantee you will not have chatter on that lathe in chambering and threading barrels and such other chores. Why? It has mass. It also has sleeve bearings in the spindle. Sleeve bearings are considerably more rigid that ball or taper-roller bearings. The downside of sleeve bearings is that they are not good for high RPM machining due to heat buildup.

Shipping costs to New Zealand might be a bit much though.
 
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Thanks for the comments Jerry.

Quite interesting that the headstock is a bit longer than some other 13" Southbands. Being 41" between centres it would also be good for chambering using a fixed steady.

I thought the price seemed reasonable cosidering the condition and accessories with it........but then I'm in a diffirent market so our prices can be quite different to yours.

I thought shipping would be a bit much but then I'm not looking to replacing an of the lathes I alread have.

Ian
 
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