Any lathe owners here?

FWYT
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3398
Joined
5/25/2014
Location
San Diego, CA US
Edited Date/Time 4/28/2021 8:23am
Stoked! Been wanting a lathe forever but space and funds are limited. Came across a little South Bend 9" in need of a little TLC. Should work just fine for my needs. Looking forward to learning as I have not used a lathe since high school and that was DECADES ago!

Tips, tricks, resources appreciated.
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Paul_Pitzonka
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694
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5/1/2018
Location
Grand Terrace, CA US
4/9/2021 4:40pm
I am by no means a machinist by trade, but i love my southbend lathe... get a modern quick change tool post and some cutting tools/ boring bar/ parting tool with insertable carbides... you can also get some hss cutting tools as they’re very forgiving plus you can shape them for different cuts, angles, hard to reach places etc... get a good extended live center or two... some centering drill bits ... there’s a few people on eBay who 3D print dial indicator holders relatively cheap that you can attach to the bed to measure your horizontal cutting... I would take it apart and clean the apron and cross slide as they normally are packed with chips and grease from time/ neglect (if you do disassemble the apron the bolt for the clutch knob is reverse thread)... i see a threading dial so I’m
Going to assume it has a quick change gear box on it... also before you use it I’d recommend centering the tail stock on it (it might be centered already, but it doesn’t hurt to check, There’s a witness mark on the back to get you close)...Most of this should get you a good jump on basic tooling etc, but just like anything the amount of tooling/parts available is almost endless haha... have fun and turn away! Oh ya almost forgot when you get a quick change tool post you’re going to need a machined t nut for your lathe model... if you don’t have access to a mill there’s a guy on eBay who sells them pre cut...
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FWYT
Posts
3398
Joined
5/25/2014
Location
San Diego, CA US
4/10/2021 8:35am Edited Date/Time 4/10/2021 9:24am
Thanks, Pete! Looking forward to playing around with this. It doesn't have the quick change
gearbox; it's a model C, I believe, where you actually swap out gears in the headstock. It did
not come with the gear set so that will be something to acquire. However, I don't see myself
jumping into thread cutting so no hurry. By the same token, I'll probably stick with HSS bits for a while.

First order of biz will be getting it mounted and all squared up with no twist. Thanks for the tips!!

Accurate conversation with a friend of mine >>>>>


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The Shop

FWYT
Posts
3398
Joined
5/25/2014
Location
San Diego, CA US
4/12/2021 7:10am
skypig wrote:
There are some excellent instructional videos on YouTube. EG https://youtu.be/H6Dnmd3lDzA Lathe is high on the “tool list” at skypig HQ
There are some excellent instructional videos on YouTube.
EG https://youtu.be/H6Dnmd3lDzA

Lathe is high on the “tool list” at skypig HQ
Thanks for the link! Her videos are great for me. Straight and to the point. Lots of good info. Thanks!
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bh
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12/25/2016
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Piedmont, SC US
4/12/2021 8:46am
I dont know how instructional they would be but I love watching this old tony on YouTube. Some of the most entertaining stuff no matter what he is making.10/10 would highly recommend.
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btroxler
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5/22/2017
Location
Saltillo, MS US
4/13/2021 10:02am
That is awesome! South Bend lathes are really nice pieces. Enjoy.

You will find that you use the lathe quite frequently. I use mine 3x more than I use my mill.
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FWYT
Posts
3398
Joined
5/25/2014
Location
San Diego, CA US
4/28/2021 8:23am
Full disassembly and cleaning in progress. Fixed a broken tooth on the cone pulley today. Drilled and tapped for some 6/32 screws, then TIGed in some silicone bronze. Shaped to finish. I think it will work! Should have it mounted up and turning soon.






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