SouthBend Potential

C

cwood3

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About 15 years ago, my dad managed to pick up a South Bend lathe. I'm really wanting to say it's a 9" x 36" model. It sits on a bench.....and has been sitting that way with no use for about 15 years. I remember him telling me that it was supposed to be a very accurate machine for doing precision work and that all the key features on this one (ways, lead screw, etc.) were in great shape. Without knowing the finer details of this machine, in basic terms, is a machine such as this a worthwhile platform for doing gunsmithing tasks, barrel work, action truing, etc ? There may be some East Texas dirt dauber nests here and there, but there's no rust corrosion, etc....it's been pretty oiled up over the years.

Thanks,

CW
 
If the lathe has a hollow spindle that you can put a barrel in , all the bearings are tight and it is an accurate machine then it can be used.
However old lathes are like old cars nice to admire but not as easy to drive as the modern car.
You could spend a lot of money tooling up the lathe just to eventually find out you don't like it for some reason.
I feel a more modern lathe with safety features would be more suitable and spend less tooling money in the long run.
 
South Bends are nice lathes

I used to own one of these and if its in nice shape it is a very good lathe. The spindle hole is not large enough to pass a barrel through but you can still work between centers. Its a lighter duty machine than many would prefer for barrel work but if you use care and skill you can do some nice work on it.

Since its been sitting I'd suggest you clean and lube it throughly before you run it. Get a copy of the South Bend book "How to Run a Lathe" -- that will help a lot to you get started.
 
Yea, I was counting on going through it, at least up to a point where I know I won't do more harm than good. It needs to get into working shape just out of respect for the machine that it is. I'm not a gunsmith, but I do like to tinker and learn as I progress through life. Thanks,

CW
 
When I went to gunsmithing school 26 years ago that was the main machines we had available for contouring and chambering barrels. Worked well between centers.
 
South Bend

In my home shop I have two 9A's, one is a 3.5' bed and the other is a 4.5' bed. I do all my barrel work on the 4.5' one, it is 29.5" between centers using a live center. I chamber using a steady rest and thread between centers.
 
CW, My first thought would be unless you have a lot of size specific tooling with your 9" SB. I would look for a 10L or 13". Tooling cost would be about the same with a little more grunt and a larger thru hole. Your 9" will sell for as much as a like condition 10 or 13 will cost you. Kenny
 
"KNOW THY MACHINE" You can do some of the finest work on the planet with your machine. You have to use it enough to know the machine well. I have a heavy 10" x 40" with a spindle bore ID of 1 5/8".

I would no more think of doing a barrel through the head than I would of jumping off of my two story roof.

A lot of people on this site are sold on the idea, that the only proper way to work on barrels is through the head of a lathe. That's fine (I guess). Give your tool good service and it will give you back in spades. If you don't have a steady rest, you can build or buy a good used one. Look on E-bay.
 
KNOW THY MACHINE If the 9" is listed as a 36" that would give less than 18" between centers. Shorter than most would choose for gunsmithing.
. Kenny
 
Oil it up, use it and have fun. You are lucky to have it. "Get a 10" or a 13" or a new one." Say what? You have one of the better lathes to self-learn on, and the key is, that you do have it. I think I was 35 years old before I got a lathe of my own. It was a worn out 11" Logan with loose change gears. I was happy as can be to have it.
 
Big Al

Big Al said:
"KNOW THY MACHINE" You can do some of the finest work on the planet with your machine. You have to use it enough to know the machine well. I have a heavy 10" x 40" with a spindle bore ID of 1 5/8".

I would no more think of doing a barrel through the head than I would of jumping off of my two story roof.

A lot of people on this site are sold on the idea, that the only proper way to work on barrels is through the head of a lathe. That's fine (I guess). Give your tool good service and it will give you back in spades. If you don't have a steady rest, you can build or buy a good used one. Look on E-bay.
Click to expand...

This may be a dumb question but why would you not do a barrel through the headstock of your Heavy 10.?

I thought through the headstock with a spider on the other end was a great way to do cutting, threading, and chambering.

Do you think the steady rest provides a better (more stable) setup?
 
Keith23 said:
This may be a dumb question but why would you not do a barrel through the headstock of your Heavy 10.?

I thought through the headstock with a spider on the other end was a great way to do cutting, threading, and chambering.

Do you think the steady rest provides a better (more stable) setup?
Click to expand...

What I think has absolutely no bearing on this web-site. Folks here are sold hook line and sinker on doing the work through the head stock. Therefore my opinion holds no water. I will tell you this, that the best of the best gunsmiths of yesteryear and at least one today did not and do not chamber through the head. It's up to you to find out just why that it may not be the best way/only way to do the job. I don't know vary many people in this trade that are machinist. I don't know of many that have gone through formal training as a machinist.

Ask yourself a few questions about using a gear head lathe and sticking a work piece through the head stock. Could there be any vibration issues in a gear head? Have any of these folks actually tested the gear head next to a belt drive for vibration? Would it be better to move the workpiece further away from the vibration?

Maybe if folks here would open their eyes when the go into shops like Kelbly's
They might just see the lathes with the steady rests are used for chambering. Why? What do these people know that the rest of us don't seem to know? But then maybe the rifles that are barrelled in this shop are not competitive?

I know that when you think differently on this forum, then the trouble starts.

I don't even know why I objected to this in the first place except to remember a guy that is tops in this field, working with his 9" South bend lathe and knowing, that he turns out work off of his steady rest that leaves nothing to be desired.
 
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