Glade to see you rescue these old machines. Hope your grandson will appreciate them as much as you do one day. Yes, it is sad to see these shops closing.
I just acquired my first metal lathe, a 13" x 7' South Bend from around 1945. Thank you Mr. Pete for all the knowledge you've shared over the years. I have a LOT to learn still, but I would never have pulled the trigger on this one without everything you've shared. Thanks from Enid, Oklahoma!
Come on, Mr. Pete, you're killing me. You're cornering the lathe market in Illinois. :) I think your grandkids might be some of the luckiest kids on the planet to have a grandfather with the knowledge and the tools you have. Hopefully, Jordan continues the interest he appears to be showing and learns everything he can from you.
lol, I've had that happen to me but not a lathe but almost that too. You were in my neighborhood as I recognized the building right away. Otto Engineering is doing a great job restoring those old buildings. It's too bad but we have lost many little machine shops around here. Good show, Lee
Thanks for the video Mr Pete, I have the same model A lathe but made here in Adelaide Australia by a company called Hercus. Same flat belt drive and "Norton gearbox. Made in 1954. It has a flame hardened bed and the Metric chart on the gear cover. Have turned threads in Imperial as well as metric. I had a friend who managed a heavy machine shop regrind all the ways for me to bring it back to original condition. I did a complete strip down and repair where necessary when the ways were reground. I was lucky enough to have the complete collets and drawbar but had to find the travelling and fixed steady. It has no drive gear guard either but have never had a problem with that in the last 20 years or so. Take care and stay well. Gerry
Nice to see that Jordan is coming along nicely, when I first logged onto your site he had a high pitched voice, he is certainly growing fast....he will be very grateful to you one day for passing your knowledge onto him.....me too.
"This is the last lathe I will ever buy" I feel a distinct tug on my leg. I said the same thing three lathes ago. Nice find, look forward to see you cleaning it up
I can't wait to see the restore efforts, as I have the same lathe that was handed done to me. however it to is in need of a restore. I am just as excited as you. thanks for all the great videos.
Excellent another lathe saved from the scrap pile. A good solid small lathe that will still do many hours work. My own Boxford lathe model A is a clone of that basic model. Mine has the underdrive motor in the cabinet. I look forward to a series on the clean up overhaul and of course the first chips coming off of it. regards from the UK
Wow! That's the same lathe I have, except mine does not have the power cross feed. Also, wish it had a longer bed and larger spindle bore diameter, but it is what it is. Got it cleaned up and have been using it for a couple of years now with no problems. Great find. I wish more would follow me home.
Mr. Pete, What a really nice little lathe I am looking forward to seeing you getting it ship shape and how you like to go about it in "The Right Way". It excites me a bit because it does not take up much room at all. I remember your tour of Grizzly very well my attention firmly fixated on all of those fine machines. I was hoping they would give you a nice one at a discount or free for promoting it. I do not seem to remember you getting one yet remember the man you met and visited. I want to rescue a machine or two and learn how to do it right finding the machines at a affordable price. Good buy Mr. Pete.
Sir I am interested in buying some manual machines as I would like to piddle for myself and I have ideas and things I want to invent or make something better. I have always been this way and have made things for companies which fixed a problem in making a product. I want machines and would not mind them less expensive and fixed up by me and any book or watching things on Utube. My question sir is what kind of paint should we ideally use on such older machines and how to prime or prep them? Thank You for your videos they are the very best of everyone's to me. You also work much harder and deliver content and skill in a very pleasant manner. Clearly you are a pro-all the way.
+Lew Sou I do not like painting. You can no longer buy good oil base machine enamel. I always used rustoleum -navy gray. But the SOUTH BEND color is an off gray (very pretty) not sure where to get it.
Another great video and find. Being retired now as you are I bet you have been asked the question a lot like I have been, "But what do you do now with all your spare time since your retired, aren't you bored?" Ha! what a joke. Don't know how I got as much done when I was working and I'm busier now. I too have many things follow me home and enjoy every bit of it. Thanks for all the time you put into your videos.
I have a Hercus Model A, made here in Adelaide, Australia, that is almost identical to this Southbend. Hercus built these lathes under licence to Southbend and continued with various models until the late 60's. Mine was built in 1949, so it is a year younger than me. Stil gets used a lot.
Love the old red brick buildings that were around the town you drove through. Not many around here where I live and they don't build them anymore. Probably to expensive because of labor. I worked on many South Bend lathes in the Air Force machine shops, the last one was manufactured in 1963 but still used the leather belting. I was the only one in the shop that knew how to stitch the new belt together when the old one had to be replaced. That held until I could locate some clipper hooks and lacing. I hated it when the Shop Chief decided to turn it in, it was one of the most accurate lathes in the shop at that time and it was great for smaller work. We got a newer S/B lathe in from another base that was closing the late 80s. It was a new lathe that was sitting in storage, but something in the gear train locked up during a break in procedure. That scraped it as the warranty was out and was to expensive to repair. Now the Air Force is replacing a lot of equipment with CNC machines.
Just like in uk where I was born 2 or 3 hundred years of development ALL totally trashed these days and it's the same in Australia now BUT I SAVED A SOUTH BEND LATHE a few years ago No name but thanks to you pete I now know IT IS A SOUTH BEND no gear cover yet tho. Cheers and oh I do need one of those Milling machines , 1 million dollars to post to Oz is just out of my price tag at 73 yo on March 5 .cheers again ,Keith.
Bald Eagles - A recovery success. They made their way down the Mississippi to St Louis, then back up the Illinois river and now into the Fox River. Seen many of them especially in winter near the dams. Wonderful.
Wonderful! I know how it goes - that's the "last" lathe you will ever buy until the time comes you find the "next" lathe you will buy! :) I have reached that point with 1980's General Motors cars. I have solemnly sworn NO MORE. Then one of my good friends buys me a 1980 Oldsmobile for my birthday this year! I'm sure you'll have this one in full fighting form in no time!
Well this must be fate knocking me over the head lol. I am looking at buying very same lathe here locally, but have been on the fence. If it's Mr. Pete approved, I think it will be fine. Now I know what I'm doing today lol!
Mr. Pete i enjoy all your videos and today i got my wish in the way of a 9" by 36" southbend. catolog # 80-yb it was given to me. It is dirty so i plan to clean it up and start learning how to run it. My dream come true!!! I need to buy your video course in the near future. Happy Happy Happy.
I had this same model lathe in my automotive machine shop. I sold it when I closed up the business back in 1995 and regretted not bringing it home. Although it had seen a lot of use and was well worn. My lathe had a cast iron belt guard covering the V belt.
I used a Cincinnati mill like that when I was in HS Machine Shop. Looks at some vintage pictures of the lathe, and they don't show a guard over the large gear. I do think it needs one though. Would like to have one that size to go with my 13x40. Good video, of a nice lathe.
Lyle Grandchildren grow up so quickly, don't they ? It took a while to pin down where you were when you picked up the lathe, but the " Batavia Creamery " signage finally gave it away. I knew the Fermi laboratory was somewhere in this area, but I just realised it's very close to the Batavia city centre. I had it on my list of places to visit in outer Chicago, but I never made it there. Ever been there ? Could those industrial buildings you showed have once been a furniture factory ? Thanks for taking us along for the ride. I very much enjoy seeing areas of rural Illinois and the many smaller towns I missed on my road trips in 2010. Kind regards.
Aside from a shame another shop gone. I have a twin, 444 Y also have a 444 R which is 4 1/2 bed. As far as a pulley gard- I never saw one. That will clean up nicely already I see thats Jordans job. Boy is he growing! South Bend means biggest bang for the buck! sam
Hi Pete, Fantastic little lathe, i have exactly the same one in amazing condition, but i dont have the threading counter but i can cut threads easy without one ok, i noticed in the shop the lathe had the original bottle tool post.. but it was missing when you got it home? i'm from the UK and watched your videos and learn't so much from you, my lathe has made me a fortune with all the parts its made.. good luck & have fun with your restoration pete !!
My first and thus far only lathe is a 10k model B with a 3ft bed. Nifty little machine that does everything I need and fits in my space constraints. Mine was missing the thread dial as well when I got it. The vintage thread dials are pricey but grizzly makes a new production that's easily adapted.
Hi Tubalcain . I'm a big fan. A couple years ago, inspired by your videos, I picked up a real nice 1947 9a .Only slight wear (ridge) is on the tailstock v way. I'm hoping you do a video/videos showing a renovation or restoration of this machine ? Also, it would be helpful if you could focus a little more on lathe wear and what to look for in terms of wear on the ways an how much is acceptable and when there is too much?...thanks for your good work.
Mr. Pete222- I have this exact lathe (just purchased), also a good start getting into turning for most, could you please do more videos on this lathe, maintenance, rebuild, pro cons exc.
Mr. Pete, I just wanted to share that I own a 4 1/2' 9A S/N 5151NRA8 that I purchased the "Build Card" from Grizzly on. It was built on 9/8/1947. I have owned it since 1993, and about 2 years ago, I took it totally apart and "restored" it with new parts where necessary.
Looks like a nice lathe and clean-up project. On my 12" Atlas, I'm thinking of disconnecting the motor from the lathe and mounting to my table to see if that helps with some of the vibration I see when it is running.
@mrpete222, I just watched this video and am curious, whereabouts do you live? I grew up in that neck of the woods, my parents still live in Libertyville, about a half hour east and south of Fox Lake. Thank you for such a marvelous channel! I picked up a 1942 SB 10R "Heavy", not the 10L but you take what you can get. It's worn about as bad as this 9 (I watched all your other installments about this rig, it gives me hope), it came with zero tooling, not even a compound. I got that, and am still saving up for other stuff- plates, chucks, tooling, centers, etc. I'm just going to get it clean and lubed following your guidance and see how it cuts. Keep teaching! Regards from southern MO!
Love your Videos MrPete. Since this is going to be the last lathe you buy (right!), would you mind doing a video of how to assess the state of a used lathe _before_ tearing it down? Doesn't have to be a compleat treatis, even a short overview of what to look for and how to check/measure the condition of a lathe. The reason I ask is that I recently found a Myford ML7 (they are pretty rare here in Switzerland). The lathe seems to be in good condition, the ways and spindle seem to be unworn, as far as I have measured, but I am nor sure if I am measuring correctly. I don't mind tearing it down and rebuilding, but don't see the point if it doesn't really need it.
Not Fair!! Here I am having to hunt like H for a lathe (I now have a couple though) and they just fall into your lap! Good reason to be living in the Industrial East and not west. Also just love the Architecture of the area and it was a nice setting next to the river. The East part of North America has beautiful old brick buildings here in the west where I live we seldom see brick mostly wood buildings with some sort of siding. Nice video Thank You Rod
Mr. pete just what you need another lathe, just kidding I wish I had that one just right for my basement, it does need a little hands on but I know it will get it.
I certainly like my 9" South Bend. (My dad bought it new, back in the mid-1960s). You got a huge chuck with yours. The tool post was a lantern style, so you won't miss that (you will want a quick-change). If there were steady and/or follower rests, you might like to have them. If there was a taper attachment, you would REALLY like to have that. Beyond that there isn't much else in the way of desirable tooling. I take that back. SB had a really nice 3C collet rack that came with some lathes..You might like to have that. The SB part that I would really like to find is the cast iron bracket that mounts to the left back gear cover (it fits to the two tapped holes) and lets you mount a reversing drum switch in the perfect position. I'd pay $100 for that piece. I had one, but it has vanished at some point in the past. A skid-steer with forks (I have a BobCat) can be really useful for moving smaller machinery.
I'm glad you bought another lathe. I hope I can get one myself soon. Can you do a video and talk a bit about Hardinge lathes? I don't know much about them. Thanks
Hello lyle - what do you know about the lathes made by Hendey, how did they stack up against the competition? They were made just a few miles away from me in Torrington Ct. ( I like to think they used a lot of Torrington bearings since the two manufacturers were only a mile apart ). There is a nice clean Hendey on display at the Torr. historical Soc. and it has a nice look to it. I saw some pictures of their outside storage yard where they would let their castings sit out in the weather for up to two years. I think they shut down in 1953.
A 9" lathe is a handy size for small work... one advantage of living in the Mid-West is all of the old manufacturing sites per capita... sad to see the shops close down, but you can get some nice bargains on machines and tooling...
Allot like my 10K A. I have a similar back motor drive which tilts to tighten the flat belt and YES mine has a guard. 48 inch bed on min.....likely mine is 50s. Think your unit is older. Looking forward to seeing the clean up. One question: My gear guard does not line up well on the lathe and not sure how it go out of alignment. The hole is not concentric with the spindle. Unit was dad's for years and years. I would have had to let it follow me home too. Thanks for posting and hope you intend to make a series of it! Jim
Well since it originally came from a school I guess it is possible. I read someplace that the pivots on these are in babbit but not sure that is correct. Excited to see a SB rescue.
Ahh, that new to you lathe smell. I'm exited too and it isn't even mine. How did you manage to find one with the quick change gearbox? I see them on Craig's list all the time around here, (southeast PA.), but no gearbox and usually, no change gears. Thanks for posting this. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Wow. I'd love to have one of those, and I'm not even a machinist! My wife would kill me though. Too many tools that aren't being used already. At least...for "her" projects. :) Nice find. Looking for a small used MIG as I type.
Isn't that Carpenterville Illinois. It certainly looks like it. I lived in Elgin, Illinois just south of that community from 59'--2005. That entire area along the river was industrial and unfortunately like a lot of other similar communities has seem the end of an era. I have a SB 9' Toolroom model like that one you just got..great lathe.
I have a very similar one that i'm about to start re-furbishing! Please make lots of vids on how to do it. I'm so scared i'll mess something up. Now you have the fate of two resting in your hands. :)
Model A's did not have a gear change chart on the gear cover, I have a 1947 with a 4 1/2 foot bed there great little lathes, mine was originally sold through the Star Machinery Co here in Seattle
See that's what you get when you feed the wildlife !! trouble ... and then they follow you home, and that's when the trouble starts ... with the other half. Awww! just had an idea to paint googly eye on it like a sad seal. Also as long as it is rusty and she can plant flowers on it we may have a compromise.
Mr. Pete, thanks for sharing. I cannot begin to tell you just how much I appreciate you sharing your adventures and knowledge with us. These days most of my time is spent working my regular job with an occasional break taken in the work shop. At least I get to piddle around vicariously through your UA-cam channel. So, When will you release Tips #219? There seems to be a hole that needs to be filled there. :-) Laus Deo, Joe
MrPete: Nice find, still getting my SB 36 inch lathe up and running. will be ready by spring 2016. But now however I would like a small lathe like yours! is this how it starts? should I see two to five lathes in my life. But I am a woodworker.... LOL ~M~
They follow me home on a regular basis too. I have now restored three SB lathes: a 10k, a 9 inch model C which I converted into a Model A, and a late low mileage 9 inch Model A. Why I need three I couldn’t tell you. I just can’t help myself…
Hey professor would you please educate me where I should look for a use workable South Bend 9 or 10 bench top so I can work on my garage. I thank you and wish a good day, keep on turning.
Gee it seems like I saw you unload a new one in the your garage a few days ago that looked very much like this one. Only the new one looked in much better shape.
hello friends , i had the idea of nickle plating some of the worn services on my south bend , like the tail stock cylinder and shaft and possibly the bottom and top of the tail stock base plate to raise it up say .005" . any thoughts on this idea ? i would polish of coarse when done
You shoukd have taken one of the larger lathes :) They look pretty fun too. Just out of curiousity, as they say that a lathe is the only machine that can replicate itself, 1) Have you thought of making a series on how to make a lathe from a lathe? 2) How would you cut a gear on a lathe?
just wanted to thank you for this series. I recently was given and old South Bend model A. It was in "bad" condition. The quick change gears and levers were completely frozen.. It was this seres that gave me the knowledge to rebuild it. It is a functioning lathe now. Since I'm a furniture maker and not a machinist, I guess I'll be watching the other 700 videos to learn how to use it, LOL. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Hi, I agree whole heartedly with your aversion to the use of compressed gas for "blowing down" machines. Would you mind if I posted the few seconds where you show the effects of swarf dispersion to the 7x12 yahoo group? I will, of course, also provide the link to the full youtube video. Thanks, Ian
I'm happy that the one I just got it is in a better shape than yours and with a lot of tooling even with a milling attachment and the best part very cheap
Lyle looks like you were in Batavia IL. Wish you have stopped by my shop on your way in or out (as I am 9 Miles to the west and on your route home)... Oh WELL... Also what was the name of that shop ? And How did you find out ?? Brian F. AKA GUSMIX...
Hey there brother. I have just started learning how to properly use and run this type of equipment i inherited a south bend but it is missing some partsod the belt tensioning system .so i was wondering if you could let me know is it just a turnbuckle that connects the tensioner handle to the motor. Any help with this question would be greatly appreciated
I made it so my compressed air lines can't even reach the lathe area, just because i'm an airhead sometimes and i might forget and use one. Also, never say never, i'm sure you'll find another project lathe to work on at some point. I dunno, i find it fun to get them broken and cheap and work on them until they are restored. Hooked up three of my friends with smaller lathes, now i'm looking at getting in to a bigger sized one. :D
Hi Lyle On the 1940 south bend heavy 10 can you tell me what the screw size is on the side of the cross feed for mounting the follow rest. Thanks Mike E.
Hi Lyle I found the size it was 5/15 x 24 the tail stock quill bolt was the same . I was hoping you may of been close by when I messaged asking. Thanks for all your videos and sharing and a happy new year. Mike E
Glade to see you rescue these old machines. Hope your grandson will appreciate them as much as you do one day. Yes, it is sad to see these shops closing.
+Michael Myrick Me too
I just acquired my first metal lathe, a 13" x 7' South Bend from around 1945. Thank you Mr. Pete for all the knowledge you've shared over the years. I have a LOT to learn still, but I would never have pulled the trigger on this one without everything you've shared. Thanks from Enid, Oklahoma!
Thank you for watching , and good luck with that new South Bend
Come on, Mr. Pete, you're killing me. You're cornering the lathe market in Illinois. :)
I think your grandkids might be some of the luckiest kids on the planet to have a grandfather with the knowledge and the tools you have. Hopefully, Jordan continues the interest he appears to be showing and learns everything he can from you.
+Ron Icard I hope so
Sad seeing a shop dismantled, but great to see the Lathe be rescued.
I have the same lathe, I'm excited to see you bring one home, and I look forward to seeing more of it as it gets cleaned up and put to use.
+johnp256 you shall
lol, I've had that happen to me but not a lathe but almost that too. You were in my neighborhood as I recognized the building right away. Otto Engineering is doing a great job restoring those old buildings. It's too bad but we have lost many little machine shops around here.
Good show,
Lee
+Lee Waterman Nice old bldgs
It's a beauty. I have a 9 inch too made in 1934. I look forward to the restore videos. I need to do some tuning up on mine.
+MrHevyshevy Thanks
Thanks for the video Mr Pete, I have the same model A lathe but made here in Adelaide Australia by a company called Hercus. Same flat belt drive and "Norton gearbox. Made in 1954. It has a flame hardened bed and the Metric chart on the gear cover. Have turned threads in Imperial as well as metric. I had a friend who managed a heavy machine shop regrind all the ways for me to bring it back to original condition. I did a complete strip down and repair where necessary when the ways were reground. I was lucky enough to have the complete collets and drawbar but had to find the travelling and fixed steady. It has no drive gear guard either but have never had a problem with that in the last 20 years or so. Take care and stay well. Gerry
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Nice to see that Jordan is coming along nicely, when I first logged onto your site he had a high pitched voice, he is certainly growing fast....he will be very grateful to you one day for passing your knowledge onto him.....me too.
+rich kellow he's getting big
"This is the last lathe I will ever buy" I feel a distinct tug on my leg. I said the same thing three lathes ago. Nice find, look forward to see you cleaning it up
+oldironrecycler I'm out of room & out of time.
I can't wait to see the restore efforts, as I have the same lathe that was handed done to me. however it to is in need of a restore. I am just as excited as you. thanks for all the great videos.
+Sal Scarpa THANKS FOR WATCHING
Congratulations on the new addition to the family! Looking forward to many videos on it in the future.
+MrGoosePit Thanks
As someone who very recently purchased a South Bend 9a of my own as my first lathe, I am beyond excited to see what you do with this!
+deemstyle then keep watching
+mrpete222 You've had me hooked for years now. No question I'm sticking around!
Excellent another lathe saved from the scrap pile. A good solid small lathe that will still do many hours work. My own Boxford lathe model A is a clone of that basic model. Mine has the underdrive motor in the cabinet. I look forward to a series on the clean up overhaul and of course the first chips coming off of it. regards from the UK
+Gary C Thanks
Wonderful, Mr Pete! Reminds me of the 9-inche South bend lathe I constantly used in High School shop class in the mid 1970's
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Wow! That's the same lathe I have, except mine does not have the power cross feed. Also, wish it had a longer bed and larger spindle bore diameter, but it is what it is. Got it cleaned up and have been using it for a couple of years now with no problems.
Great find. I wish more would follow me home.
+Edmund Matthews Thanks you for watching-yep-nice lathes
Nice find Lyle -- I can't consider buying a "last" one as I have no space left.!
I expect you'll be having plenty to do cleaning it up and setting up.
+ChrisB257 I sold 2 tractors-have lots of room
Mr. Pete, What a really nice little lathe I am looking forward to seeing you getting it ship shape and how you like to go about it in "The Right Way". It excites me a bit because it does not take up much room at all. I remember your tour of Grizzly very well my attention firmly fixated on all of those fine machines. I was hoping they would give you a nice one at a discount or free for promoting it. I do not seem to remember you getting one yet remember the man you met and visited. I want to rescue a machine or two and learn how to do it right finding the machines at a affordable price. Good buy Mr. Pete.
+Lew Sou Thanks for watching-its a nice machine--hope to fix it up , but no paint
Sir I am interested in buying some manual machines as I would like to piddle for myself and I have ideas and things I want to invent or make something better. I have always been this way and have made things for companies which fixed a problem in making a product. I want machines and would not mind them less expensive and fixed up by me and any book or watching things on Utube. My question sir is what kind of paint should we ideally use on such older machines and how to prime or prep them?
Thank You for your videos they are the very best of everyone's to me. You also work much harder and deliver content and skill in a very pleasant manner. Clearly you are a pro-all the way.
+Lew Sou I do not like painting. You can no longer buy good oil base machine enamel. I always used rustoleum -navy gray. But the SOUTH BEND color is an off gray (very pretty) not sure where to get it.
Another great video and find. Being retired now as you are I bet you have been asked the question a lot like I have been, "But what do you do now with all your spare time since your retired, aren't you bored?" Ha! what a joke. Don't know how I got as much done when I was working and I'm busier now. I too have many things follow me home and enjoy every bit of it. Thanks for all the time you put into your videos.
+Eddie Kawecki I don't understand people who say they are bored
I have a Hercus Model A, made here in Adelaide, Australia, that is almost identical to this Southbend. Hercus built these lathes under licence to Southbend and continued with various models until the late 60's. Mine was built in 1949, so it is a year younger than me. Stil gets used a lot.
Love the old red brick buildings that were around the town you drove through. Not many around here where I live and they don't build them anymore. Probably to expensive because of labor.
I worked on many South Bend lathes in the Air Force machine shops, the last one was manufactured in 1963 but still used the leather belting. I was the only one in the shop that knew how to stitch the new belt together when the old one had to be replaced. That held until I could locate some clipper hooks and lacing. I hated it when the Shop Chief decided to turn it in, it was one of the most accurate lathes in the shop at that time and it was great for smaller work.
We got a newer S/B lathe in from another base that was closing the late 80s. It was a new lathe that was sitting in storage, but something in the gear train locked up during a break in procedure. That scraped it as the warranty was out and was to expensive to repair.
Now the Air Force is replacing a lot of equipment with CNC machines.
+EIBBOR2654 Yes-nice brick
Good story about your service job
Just like in uk where I was born 2 or 3 hundred years of development ALL totally trashed these days and it's the same in Australia now BUT I SAVED A SOUTH BEND LATHE a few years ago No name but thanks to you pete I now know IT IS A SOUTH BEND no gear cover yet tho. Cheers and oh I do need one of those Milling machines , 1 million dollars to post to Oz is just out of my price tag at 73 yo on March 5 .cheers again ,Keith.
Bald Eagles - A recovery success. They made their way down the Mississippi to St Louis, then back up the Illinois river and now into the Fox River. Seen many of them especially in winter near the dams. Wonderful.
+cemx86 yes-I have seen them over my yard
Wonderful! I know how it goes - that's the "last" lathe you will ever buy until the time comes you find the "next" lathe you will buy! :)
I have reached that point with 1980's General Motors cars. I have solemnly sworn NO MORE. Then one of my good friends buys me a 1980 Oldsmobile for my birthday this year!
I'm sure you'll have this one in full fighting form in no time!
+davida1hiwaaynet yep
Well this must be fate knocking me over the head lol. I am looking at buying very same lathe here locally, but have been on the fence. If it's Mr. Pete approved, I think it will be fine. Now I know what I'm doing today lol!
+Tater79bj Get it
this excites me. I've got one of those and can't wait to see the projects you do.
+secondplace Thanks
Funny,when I go on a road trip,lathes don't follow me home.LOL.Nice lathe and road trip.
+Patrick Craig luck of the Swedish
Mr. Pete i enjoy all your videos and today i got my wish in the way of a 9" by 36" southbend. catolog # 80-yb it was given to me. It is dirty so i plan to clean it up and start learning how to run it. My dream come true!!! I need to buy your video course in the near future. Happy Happy Happy.
Nice find sir!!! It couldn't go to a better home!
+MrBen527 Thanks
Nice score Mr. Pete! I look forward to seeing it in action in future videos!
+ShysterLawyer Thanks for watching
I had this same model lathe in my automotive machine shop. I sold it when I closed up the business back in 1995 and regretted not bringing it home. Although it had seen a lot of use and was well worn. My lathe had a cast iron belt guard covering the V belt.
+Shark River Railroad Wish I had that guard
I used a Cincinnati mill like that when I was in HS Machine Shop. Looks at some vintage pictures of the lathe, and they don't show a guard over the large gear. I do think it needs one though. Would like to have one that size to go with my 13x40. Good video, of a nice lathe.
A keeper for sure. Used one like that in school. Thank you for sharing
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Well I'll be damned! I picked up a 9" SB myself on the 25th (last Thursday) - it followed me home too!
+Alan Long Nice find!! THANKS FOR WATCHING
Lyle Grandchildren grow up so quickly, don't they ? It took a while to pin down where you were when you picked up the lathe, but the " Batavia Creamery " signage finally gave it away. I knew the Fermi laboratory was somewhere in this area, but I just realised it's very close to the Batavia city centre. I had it on my list of places to visit in outer Chicago, but I never made it there. Ever been there ? Could those industrial buildings you showed have once been a furniture factory ? Thanks for taking us along for the ride. I very much enjoy seeing areas of rural Illinois and the many smaller towns I missed on my road trips in 2010. Kind regards.
+Stephen Smith a windmill factory. Warrenville for fermi
Aside from a shame another shop gone. I have a twin, 444 Y also have a 444 R which is 4 1/2 bed. As far as a pulley gard- I never saw one. That will clean up nicely already I
see thats Jordans job. Boy is he growing! South Bend means biggest bang for the buck!
sam
+samuel pine Apparently some had guards & some not
Hi Pete, Fantastic little lathe, i have exactly the same one in amazing condition, but i dont have the threading counter but i can
cut threads easy without one ok, i noticed in the shop the lathe had the original bottle tool post.. but it was missing when you got it home? i'm from the UK and watched your videos and learn't so much from you, my lathe has made me a fortune with all the
parts its made.. good luck & have fun with your restoration pete !!
+kingdom777866 I had it in my pocket. thanks
That Jetstar is the most attractive tractor I've ever seen...love the lines on it.
+dale pratt thank you
My first and thus far only lathe is a 10k model B with a 3ft bed. Nifty little machine that does everything I need and fits in my space constraints. Mine was missing the thread dial as well when I got it. The vintage thread dials are pricey but grizzly makes a new production that's easily adapted.
+nova3930 Good to know-thanks
Hi Tubalcain . I'm a big fan. A couple years ago, inspired by your videos, I picked up a real nice 1947 9a .Only slight wear (ridge) is on the tailstock v way. I'm hoping you do a video/videos showing a renovation or restoration of this machine ? Also, it would be helpful if you could focus a little more on lathe wear and what to look for in terms of wear on the ways an how much is acceptable and when there is too much?...thanks for your good work.
+ed flower Thanks you for watching--hope to clean it up a bit
Mr. Pete222- I have this exact lathe (just purchased), also a good start getting into turning for most, could you please do more videos on this lathe, maintenance, rebuild, pro cons exc.
All those retired lathes follow home the old retired teacher... lol
That's gonna be a year of 1947 class reunion...
+pierre beaudry yep
+pierre beaudry Just call mrpete the pied piper :-)
Gary C
Looks good... lol
Mr. Pete, I just wanted to share that I own a 4 1/2' 9A S/N 5151NRA8 that I purchased the "Build Card" from Grizzly on. It was built on 9/8/1947. I have owned it since 1993, and about 2 years ago, I took it totally apart and "restored" it with new parts where necessary.
+Gary Jones nice job
Looks like a nice lathe and clean-up project. On my 12" Atlas, I'm thinking of disconnecting the motor from the lathe and mounting to my table to see if that helps with some of the vibration I see when it is running.
+ILGopher I think you will still get vibe if its on the tabler. I'd to put the motor in another room--on my Atlas' to get rid of it.
What a cool little lathe. I used to live in Algonquin Ill ( rite on the Fox River on north river road ) I caught alot of fish in that river.
+Sammy Russell Me too--at Ottawa
nice buy...good rescue...thanks again videos
+Miguel Castaneda Thanks you for watching
I'm exited to see you have a South Bend 9a again. Now could you possibly show an apron disassembly? I have a 9a with a 4 foot bed.
+Kevin Lizotte look at this vid. SOUTH BEND LATHE demo on apron parts by TUBALCAIN
I .the same lathe only longer, it didn't have a belt guard ether, I cant wait to see you use it.
+George Hoffman They must not have been sold with a gaurd
@mrpete222, I just watched this video and am curious, whereabouts do you live? I grew up in that neck of the woods, my parents still live in Libertyville, about a half hour east and south of Fox Lake.
Thank you for such a marvelous channel! I picked up a 1942 SB 10R "Heavy", not the 10L but you take what you can get. It's worn about as bad as this 9 (I watched all your other installments about this rig, it gives me hope), it came with zero tooling, not even a compound. I got that, and am still saving up for other stuff- plates, chucks, tooling, centers, etc. I'm just going to get it clean and lubed following your guidance and see how it cuts. Keep teaching! Regards from southern MO!
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Love your Videos MrPete. Since this is going to be the last lathe you buy (right!), would you mind doing a video of how to assess the state of a used lathe _before_ tearing it down? Doesn't have to be a compleat treatis, even a short overview of what to look for and how to check/measure the condition of a lathe. The reason I ask is that I recently found a Myford ML7 (they are pretty rare here in Switzerland). The lathe seems to be in good condition, the ways and spindle seem to be unworn, as far as I have measured, but I am nor sure if I am measuring correctly. I don't mind tearing it down and rebuilding, but don't see the point if it doesn't really need it.
+Andrew Waugh I hope to to cover that.
nice find.not too many old machine shops in our area of the east coast... how many more before mrs tubalcain puts her foot down?..LOL
+Sean Taray She never has put her foot down---never
Not Fair!! Here I am having to hunt like H for a lathe (I now have a couple though) and they just fall into your lap! Good reason to be living in the Industrial East and not west.
Also just love the Architecture of the area and it was a nice setting next to the river. The East part of North America has beautiful old brick buildings here in the west where I live we seldom see brick mostly wood buildings with some sort of siding. Nice video
Thank You Rod
+Newmachinist it was beautiful
Mr. pete just what you need another lathe, just kidding I wish I had that one just right for my basement, it does need a little hands on but I know it will get it.
+Joe Tiller THANKS FOR WATCHING
The Southwest isn't giving up any good lathe or mills, great video. Thank you.
I certainly like my 9" South Bend. (My dad bought it new, back in the mid-1960s). You got a huge chuck with yours.
The tool post was a lantern style, so you won't miss that (you will want a quick-change). If there were steady and/or follower rests, you might like to have them. If there was a taper attachment, you would REALLY like to have that. Beyond that there isn't much else in the way of desirable tooling. I take that back. SB had a really nice 3C collet rack that came with some lathes..You might like to have that.
The SB part that I would really like to find is the cast iron bracket that mounts to the left back gear cover (it fits to the two tapped holes) and lets you mount a reversing drum switch in the perfect position. I'd pay $100 for that piece. I had one, but it has vanished at some point in the past.
A skid-steer with forks (I have a BobCat) can be really useful for moving smaller machinery.
+Peter W. Meek yes-aloris
"You can never have too many lathes." Ain't that the truth!
+Richard Getso true
Tried to tell my wife that, but she wasn't buying.
It's nice to have one in every room in the house.
I'm glad you bought another lathe. I hope I can get one myself soon. Can you do a video and talk a bit about Hardinge lathes? I don't know much about them. Thanks
+Randy Hendrick I only have that little hardinge & no one seems interested
Hello lyle - what do you know about the lathes made by Hendey, how did they stack up against the competition? They were made just a few miles away from me in Torrington Ct. ( I like to think they used a lot of Torrington bearings since the two manufacturers were only a mile apart ). There is a nice clean Hendey on display at the Torr. historical Soc. and it has a nice look to it. I saw some pictures of their outside storage yard where they would let their castings sit out in the weather for up to two years. I think they shut down in 1953.
+Jayne Gus Never used one, but my brother liked them when he was a machinist
A 9" lathe is a handy size for small work... one advantage of living in the Mid-West is all of the old manufacturing sites per capita... sad to see the shops close down, but you can get some nice bargains on machines and tooling...
+chemech Thanks
Allot like my 10K A. I have a similar back motor drive which tilts to tighten the flat belt and YES mine has a guard. 48 inch bed on min.....likely mine is 50s. Think your unit is older. Looking forward to seeing the clean up.
One question: My gear guard does not line up well on the lathe and not sure how it go out of alignment. The hole is not concentric with the spindle. Unit was dad's for years and years.
I would have had to let it follow me home too.
Thanks for posting and hope you intend to make a series of it!
Jim
+phooesnax Maybe its the wrong gaurd
Well since it originally came from a school I guess it is possible. I read someplace that the pivots on these are in babbit but not sure that is correct. Excited to see a SB rescue.
Ahh, that new to you lathe smell. I'm exited too and it isn't even mine. How did you manage to find one with the quick change gearbox? I see them on Craig's list all the time around here, (southeast PA.), but no gearbox and usually, no change gears. Thanks for posting this. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
+Dave Lee Most of the small ones do not have a gear box
Wow. I'd love to have one of those, and I'm not even a machinist! My wife would kill me though. Too many tools that aren't being used already. At least...for "her" projects. :) Nice find. Looking for a small used MIG as I type.
+Martin Walters I'd buy it anyway
Yeah, well you don't know my wife. :)
Actually, I'm just kidding. My wife has always been open to what I want. It just depends on finances of the moment.
Btw, would you mind sharing what you paid for it? Just curious what these kind of machines are worth.
Oh boy good recovery there Martin :)
Isn't that Carpenterville Illinois. It certainly looks like it. I lived in Elgin, Illinois just south of that community from 59'--2005. That entire area along the river was industrial and unfortunately like a lot of other similar communities has seem the end of an era.
I have a SB 9' Toolroom model like that one you just got..great lathe.
+ib golfr Batavia
Great item Mr. Pete. Got me looking for one now..
+Terry Baker Thanks
I have a very similar one that i'm about to start re-furbishing! Please make lots of vids on how to do it. I'm so scared i'll mess something up. Now you have the fate of two resting in your hands. :)
+balisticsquirel I shall
Model A's did not have a gear change chart on the gear cover, I have a 1947 with a 4 1/2 foot bed there great little lathes, mine was originally sold through the Star Machinery Co here in Seattle
+David Haxton I see. They must have had the rivet holes for all models
Funny i grew up in batavia kinda blew my mind seeing ya drive up river street.
+Joepopa12 Was it creepy? THANKS FOR WATCHING
More like surreal when i saw the challenger.
Wow, brings back memories. Im from Elgin originally
+Daddy Ski87 Thanks you for watching
See that's what you get when you feed the wildlife !! trouble ... and then they follow you home, and that's when the trouble starts ... with the other half.
Awww! just had an idea to paint googly eye on it like a sad seal. Also as long as it is rusty and she can plant flowers on it we may have a compromise.
Nice little lathe o nothing better than gas station coffee doesn't the Windy City have a Starbucks anywhere sure would like to buy that thread dial
Mr. Pete, thanks for sharing. I cannot begin to tell you just how much I appreciate you sharing your adventures and knowledge with us. These days most of my time is spent working my regular job with an occasional break taken in the work shop. At least I get to piddle around vicariously through your UA-cam channel. So, When will you release Tips #219? There seems to be a hole that needs to be filled there. :-)
Laus Deo,
Joe
+My Heap Life is busy when you are young--glad you like the vids
MrPete: Nice find, still getting my SB 36 inch lathe up and running. will be ready by spring 2016. But now however I would like a small lathe like yours! is this how it starts? should I see two to five lathes in my life. But I am a woodworker.... LOL ~M~
+Mike A Drover Thats how it starts
They follow me home on a regular basis too. I have now restored three SB lathes: a 10k, a 9 inch model C which I converted into a Model A, and a late low mileage 9 inch Model A. Why I need three I couldn’t tell you. I just can’t help myself…
You are perfectly normal
Hey professor would you please educate me where I should look for a use workable South Bend 9 or 10 bench top so I can work on my garage. I thank you and wish a good day, keep on turning.
How about a video series on the cleanup. It would be nice to know what is needed to get these old gems up and running proper and what to lookout for.
+Make Stuff Learn Stuff maybe
Nice find! Help me here... where you pointed out the thread dial was missing, isn't where the thread dial "is". (?) Thanks for sharing.
+1musicsearcher No-I said thread chart
+mrpete222 Actually, you did say dial...but we knew what you meant.
Mr. Pete, I believe your lathe is a 1949 model according to the database....nice find!
+Mc234Cormick thanks
Such a nice size lathe for a home hobby shop. Wish I could find one
Wow, i used one of these old girls when i was in school 61 years ago... Thanks
Gee it seems like I saw you unload a new one in the your garage a few days ago that looked very much like this one. Only the new one looked in much better shape.
Great adventure!!
thank you for your replay your vids are great
Thanks
Thanks for the ride-along, great find!
+dale pratt Thanks
hello friends , i had the idea of nickle plating some of the worn services on my south bend , like the tail stock cylinder and shaft and possibly the bottom and top of the tail stock base plate to raise it up say .005" . any thoughts on this idea ? i would polish of coarse when done
My fav lathe!
You shoukd have taken one of the larger lathes :) They look pretty fun too. Just out of curiousity, as they say that a lathe is the only machine that can replicate itself, 1) Have you thought of making a series on how to make a lathe from a lathe? 2) How would you cut a gear on a lathe?
+May the Schwarz be with you He has done this already (gear-cutting, that is)-do some digging and you will find all you need to know.
+Gregor Kropotkin I have seen him do it on a mill but I don't think he has done it on a lathe
+May the Schwarz be with you You need a special index head to do it on a lathe
I have that same lathe although mine is a Sheraton brand. it's a direct copy made in Melbourne Australia. it's roughly 3 times as old as I am.
+Glenn van den Berg Nice-have never seen one
just wanted to thank you for this series. I recently was given and old South Bend model A. It was in "bad" condition. The quick change gears and levers were completely frozen.. It was this seres that gave me the knowledge to rebuild it. It is a functioning lathe now. Since I'm a furniture maker and not a machinist, I guess I'll be watching the other 700 videos to learn how to use it, LOL. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for watching
Thanks Sir! I am looking at one of these at the moment, and appreciate the info.
Hi, I agree whole heartedly with your aversion to the use of compressed gas for "blowing down" machines. Would you mind if I posted the few seconds where you show the effects of swarf dispersion to the 7x12 yahoo group? I will, of course, also provide the link to the full youtube video. Thanks, Ian
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Go ahead and post it
I'm happy that the one I just got it is in a better shape than yours and with a lot of tooling even with a milling attachment and the best part very cheap
Yes, I sold that one
How many times can you use the old "it followed me home!" excuse with the Mrs before she chases you out the door with a broom? :-)
+JRoque250 She does not care
Lyle looks like you were in Batavia IL. Wish you have stopped by my shop on your way in or out (as I am 9 Miles to the west and on your route home)... Oh WELL... Also what was the name of that shop ? And How did you find out ?? Brian F. AKA GUSMIX...
+GUSMIX22 There was no name or signage. My son lives in north aurora
Hey there brother. I have just started learning how to properly use and run this type of equipment i inherited a south bend but it is missing some partsod the belt tensioning system .so i was wondering if you could let me know is it just a turnbuckle that connects the tensioner handle to the motor. Any help with this question would be greatly appreciated
I made it so my compressed air lines can't even reach the lathe area, just because i'm an airhead sometimes and i might forget and use one.
Also, never say never, i'm sure you'll find another project lathe to work on at some point. I dunno, i find it fun to get them broken and cheap and work on them until they are restored. Hooked up three of my friends with smaller lathes, now i'm looking at getting in to a bigger sized one. :D
+aserta thanks
Oh, how I miss Batavia and the old Challenge Windmill Factory!
+David Kepley Yes-that was the factory
Hi Lyle
On the 1940 south bend heavy 10 can you tell me what the screw size is on the side of the cross feed for mounting the follow rest.
Thanks Mike E.
Hi Lyle
I found the size it was 5/15 x 24 the tail stock quill bolt was the same . I was hoping you may of been close by when I messaged asking. Thanks for all your videos and sharing and a happy new year.
Mike E
My 9 inch SB model A came with a cast iron belt guard. No screen or mesh or any openings. Lathe dates to the 50's.
Good find MrPete. What does a lathe like that cost in your area( just a price range)? Wish I could find something that size in My area.
Bob
+Bob Guenthner too much
While you can't have too many lathes it it were possible I think you would be approaching that number. Nice little find.
+David Queen yes