New-to-me 9"x36" South Bend Lathe

[digr]

In most threading situations after setting you cross feed dial to zero you don't need a thread dial, just back out your tool and stop the lathe, reverse and start over with out taking it out of gear. Some people don't use a dial even if they have one.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by platypus20

Chris used the "W" word!!, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!! The "W" word!!

It happens when you have a wood shop. Hard to get time to do both hobbies though.

[LKeithR]

Originally Posted by digr

In most threading situations after setting you cross feed dial to zero you don't need a thread dial, just back out your tool and stop the lathe, reverse and start over with out taking it out of gear. Some people don't use a dial even if they have one.

Yeah, I never use the threading dial--have never really trusted them. I just use the go ahead and back up routine--works fine. I was actually taught to thread this way back in the 80s. We had a really good English guy working for us and that's how he did it. He could thread much faster that way than using the dial.

To the OP...

Nice find on the lathe. You said you paid too much............so......how much too much? In any given area pricing on lathes and other machinery depends so much on condition and availability. Just because someone else could buy that machine cheaper in another part of the country doesn't mean you paid too much for your locality...

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by LKeithR

Yeah, I never use the threading dial--have never really trusted them. I just use the go ahead and back up routine--works fine. I was actually taught to thread this way back in the 80s. We had a really good English guy working for us and that's how he did it. He could thread much faster that way than using the dial.

Works well on those fancy new lathes with brakes

[Matt G.]

Originally Posted by LKeithR

To the OP...

Nice find on the lathe. You said you paid too much............so......how much too much? In any given area pricing on lathes and other machinery depends so much on condition and availability. Just because someone else could buy that machine cheaper in another part of the country doesn't mean you paid too much for your locality...

I paid $475. It has just enough tooling to get started (live center, 5/8" chuck for tailstock, etc). I previously passed up an older Atlas for $375 that had more tooling, but I think I'd rather have this. There haven't been many lathes of this size for sale in my area, or not in the past year or so, at least.

[terry lingle]

Matt $475 is probably not out of line for that machine.
If it is in reasonable shape. You could part it out and make money.

That four lead motor can be either dual voltage or reversible again easy to test just interchange 3 and 4 and power it through a couple of 100 bulbs in parallel. If it turns backwards and the bulbs dim it is reversable . if it hums but does not turn and the bulbs stay bright it is a dual voltage motor.

In any case you do not need a drum switch you can make a reversing set up with a simple light switch ( on /off ) and a double pole double throw 15 amp toggle switch.
Also a replacement motor can be had pretty inexpensively at flee markets and garbage sales.

[Matt G.]

Today after work I took the plunge and started working on a sturdy bench for it to sit on; I picked up about 120 lbs of 3x3x3/8" angle iron and spent about 2 hours tonight cutting the pieces for the top frame that will support the tabletop. Either tomorrow or sometime this weekend I'll bevel all of the edges that will be welded and try to get it tacked together. My welder is supposed to be able to handle 3/8" steel at a maximum, so we'll see how this goes. Also pictured is the door scrap I'll be using for the top of the table. Between that, the frame, and a chest of drawers I'll build, I suspect the bench is going to weigh around 300+ lbs empty.

[RED caddy]

Foot note:
I discovered that a standard, aluminum, bakery sheet cake pan slides right in under the atlas. Makes a really nice, easily dumped, chip pan.

When they are too scratched to sanitize, most bakery's will give them to you. I got 26 at one time, just for asking.

RED

[Matt G.]

Today I mostly finished the bench; just need to add the leg levelers and clean/prep for paint. I plan on making a wooden chest of drawers for tooling that'll fit inside. I think this will be heavy enough. What you see in the picture is about 220 lbs. My 5x6" horizontal band saw got quite the workout. I only broke one tap threading the holes for the bolts to attach the legs

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Matt G.

Today I mostly finished the bench; just need to add the leg levelers and clean/prep for paint. I plan on making a wooden chest of drawers for tooling that'll fit inside. I think this will be heavy enough. What you see in the picture is about 220 lbs. My 5x6" horizontal band saw got quite the workout. I only broke one tap threading the holes for the bolts to attach the legs

Just curious, why not just weld the legs to the top frame?