Lathe review: Southbend 9C || RotarySMP

[@seansysig]

I’m 64 and have been hunting for a Southbend 9C for a couple years now.

[@RotarySMP]

My Dad has had this one for about 20 years now I guess. Nice machine.

[@rickpalechuk4411]

That's not just a big three jaw in the cupboard, it's the infamous Taylor conical chuck! Said to have the strongest holding power for its time. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of such a wonderful machine Cheers

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks for the that info. I'll need to look into that.

[@plasmaxer]

Several years ago my wife asked me to clean the cooker. 2 days later she told me she would clean the cooker from now on. I was sat on the floor cleaning a small self tapping screw with a cotton bud. Most of the cooker was still in bits on the floor surrounding me. Finished it a day and a bit later.

[@RotarySMP]

Hi Andrew. That is the opposite cleaning method to my Dad's :)

[@Hudstr22]

It was made in 1936, either October or November according to the wswells serial number registry. The model is probably Workshop No. 15. This was before they came out with the A, B and C models.

[@RotarySMP]

Oh wow, it is much older than I thought. Thanks a lot for looking that up.

[@todayintheshopbanksy5904]

@@RotarySMP I've got a 1942 Model A and it also has the South Bend Label plate

[@emanggitulah4319]

Still in a great shape for that age!

[@RotarySMP]

@@emanggitulah4319 It really is.

[@andrewh2341]

I have a 1944 9A and is name is cast into the bed

[@GeoffTV2]

Ah, I had seen this video in my feed but somehow hadn't noticed it was from Rotary SMP, otherwise I would have watched it sooner. I love your dad's lathe, it look fabulous for it's age. My dad was born in a year after this lathe and he's got a lot more than surface rust 🙂 - Heather.

[@RotarySMP]

Hi Heather. Yeah, my Dad as well. It is a really cool old machine.

[@Rustinox]

I also have a dad. But he doesn't own a lathe. Anyway, it's a very nice machine. And it's good to have all the little toys that comes with it.

[@RotarySMP]

Right on, Rust. He got lucky when he bought it.

[@wizrom3046]

"Came from that age when all the measurements were imperial"... I looked it up in the hsitory books, it was called the Dark Ages. 😎 Cool lathe! 👍

[@RotarySMP]

Yeah, tell that to Boeing and NASA :) It is a nice machine. Lok of fun to use, and great for a quick bushing.

[@wizrom3046]

@@RotarySMP ... didnt NASA have a very expensive rocket failure because of imperial measurement mess up? If i remember right. 😋

[@RotarySMP]

@@wizrom3046 They did. It was one of the mars landers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter

[@wizrom3046]

@@RotarySMP ... Rockets should not be measured in furlongs, cubits and fathoms. Just asking for trouble. 🤔

[@JCWren]

Checking my history books, I find only one country that has landed men on the moon. Guess what system they use?

[@TheAyrCaveShop]

Wow fantastic ! That's a very nice Southbend underneath all that history and very well equipped. Love seeing these old shops and imagining how many projects were done there.. Thanks for sharing...awesome !

[@RotarySMP]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@guy_b]

Well done on feeding the KZbin monster while you're on holiday! Best wishes to your family.

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks so much!

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Cleaning that data plate just made your day!

[@RotarySMP]

Mine as well. ;)

[@mazchen]

CRC... wandering in Aboms footsteps? Hope not 😄

[@RotarySMP]

I searched all over for a bottle of engine oil, but had to use whatever was there. :)

[@misterfixit1952]

Good to see you knocking the rust off the old Atlas. I have a similar one in my shop that I rescued from the scrapper.

[@RotarySMP]

This Atlas is a South bend, but similar. Nice that you rescued it.

[@misterfixit1952]

@@RotarySMP You are correct. I was looking at the form factor of the lathe and they were all similar back in the day, Atlas, West Bend, and some others. It's the flat belt with the separate motor hanging off the back.

[@RotarySMP]

@@misterfixit1952 Very similar. You dont see many Atlas over here. I think South Bends were made under license in the UK, so they were common in NZ.

[@oldmetalmachines2094]

Nice lathe. Great for hobby making. Nice of you to clean it up for him. Great video and keep em coming

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks, will do!

[@julias-shed]

Nice to see so many original accessories with it 😀

[@RotarySMP]

I agree. He got a nice range with that lathe. Wonder what happened to the 3C collets? I am pretty sure there was a set.

[@julias-shed]

@@RotarySMP hopefully stashed in a box somewhere. Did you check the loft? 😃

[@steamfan7147]

"Came from an age when mostly everything was Imperial " reminds me of- “Your father’s lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.”

[@RotarySMP]

Yeah, that is what I meant to say :/

[@chronokoks]

I always have a cratex stick, two brightboy tablets and two smaller precision stones for projects all around the globe in the backpack (electrician equipment in the checked baggage). Ever second flight I usually have to explain to airport security what those things are - but usually they're cool because they see no wires there :)) Rubberized abrasives are absolutely the best ones at reviving older precision surfaces gently. The coarser side of ordinary 2 sided rubber erasers (pencil/pen) are amazing at removing discoloration from ground surfaces - they contain pumice.

[@RotarySMP]

Good point. No shortage of pumice in Taupo. The beaches of the lake are covered with ith.

[@ogaugeclockwork4407]

Outside chuck jaws and both steadies?! Crazy!! Thanks for sharing, loved it!!

[@RotarySMP]

The guy Dad got it from was a pretty fastidious guy. He really looked after it.

[@joedowling5452]

For that serial number the production date would be 1935 to 37. I bet that lathe has been a few places prior to your dad's workshop and with proper care more than a few more. Thanks for sharing.

[@UberAlphaSirus]

Would you know what date my serial would be? 98220

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks Joe. It is surprisingly good condition for being nearly 90.

[@lwilton]

@@UberAlphaSirus Someone up above located this lathe to October or November of 1936, using "the wswells serial number registry". I have no idea what the wswells registry is, but I bet it is online. Yes it is. 98220 is in the middle of 1940.

[@jster1963]

I LOVE my South Bend 10K!! It is such a nice lathe. Your Dad's lathe is smooth as glass too. I hope another generation falls in love with machining too.....

[@RotarySMP]

I hope so too!

[@petevance422]

Gorgeous lathe, very cool to see it in action!

[@RotarySMP]

It really is a classic design. I can see why they are so popular to this day.

[@McSorleyCallum]

Hey Mark, it’s Callum from Callum and Mary on the bikes at Pencarrow Lighthouse fame here haha. Just wanted to let you know the Polaroid turned out so good and is super special. Thanks for the good chats and of course the snap!

[@RotarySMP]

Hi Callum, It nice to meet you both. Glad the instafrnkenroid photo came out. Drop me a line if you are passing through Vienna.

[@silverbullet7434]

If you aren't going to use the lathe I'd get gear oil and coat it down the cover with blanket or canvas tarp not vinyl or plastic. That's a very beautiful lathe. Nothing made today can come close to its value. With some extra parts you can add the power feeds and quick change feed box. You dad had a very complete machine.

[@RotarySMP]

Great point!

[@whatchauptomate]

What a time to visit NZ right now mate, hope your family has stayed safe in the recent weather!

[@RotarySMP]

We were largely unscathed. But having previously lived in Bay View (the next town down the road from the Esk Valley, our hearts go out to our old neighbors and friends from that area which was devastated!

[@RotarySMP]

@@JMassengill Thanks Kohnny. It really is a jem.

[@whatchauptomate]

@@RotarySMP Glad to hear it, but my heart goes out to everyone affected.

[@SteveWrathall]

I'm OK but we have a cousin in Waipawa who got a metre of water thru his house

[@624Dudley]

Something tells me you’ve seen Mr. Pete’s videos on the 9A/B/C 👍

[@RotarySMP]

I need to check that our. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@Reman1975]

Did anyone else flinch at 11:51 when he clicked the power back on, because they'd been too busy watching his right hand reengaging the direct drive pin to notice his left hand unmeshing the back gear? :D

[@RotarySMP]

Sorry for the triggering moment

[@HeimoVN]

I had a southbend exactly like this one, mine was not in that great of a condition when i got it though.. I have bought myself a new lathe this year and gave the southbend to my dad to keep him busy through his retirement...

[@RotarySMP]

That was nice of you Heimo. I bet he is enjoying it.

[@jimsvideos7201]

Thank you for the tour! Perhaps a can of way oil and maybe one of LPS 3 would be good father's day ideas?

[@RotarySMP]

Great idea!

[@johnmccanntruth]

Very cool old lathe. I like the looks of a lot of the old machinery.

[@RotarySMP]

It really has a classic design. I love the way mould makers made everyting nice and rounded and curved in that era.

[@johnmccanntruth]

@@RotarySMP exactly! I wish there were more products these days with the newer tech but vintage look.

[@RotarySMP]

@@johnmccanntruth That Beauleiu R16 film camera I bought is similar. Wonderful swooping curves in the body castings.

[@johnmccanntruth]

@@RotarySMP true!

[@JMassengill]

Excellent video. What a great old lathe

[@RotarySMP]

Glad you enjoyed it. It is really a gem.

[@selwynrh]

Wow, a two stroke south bend!

[@RotarySMP]

That oil is probably going to end up a sticky, gummy mess, but if it keeps the rust away it is good.

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

Far nicer condition than many of them I see for sale here in the US. Enjoy your time in NZ. A retired teacher friend lives there part time. She has her own place at her daughters land. She said her daughter and family would love it if me and the better half made the trip. Just not enough time and the airline doesn't always fly there. FYI tickets for Athens in hand May 3-15, so I'm on the look out for film at estate sales here to leave for you to pick up in Naxos. No promises but I'm looking. It feels so wrong and strange to buy plane tickets but I'm taking my Mom there so it's a huge relief.

[@RotarySMP]

Good on you for taking you Mum. Standby is stressful with airline outsiders, so a good decision to go fixed booked. We have tickets to Naxos about a month later.On day our paths will cross there. :)

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

@@RotarySMP She will have a good time but I gotta put in allot of rest time and easy to do stuff for her. Also need to get a side by side reserved for a few days as I really don't want her hanging on the back on an ATV at her age... She has never been out of the US so she asked me to take her. She will get to see Turkey from the inside of the airport as well when changing planes. Plan is for the better 3/4 and I to be back out there late sept early october. We avoid the busy season. If I ever play the lottery and win I'm looking for a house to buy on one of the many islands there...

[@kimber1958]

Very nice lathe, THANKS FOR SHARING

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks for your kind feedback.

[@WillemvanLonden]

Nice episode.

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks for the feedback Willem.

[@UberAlphaSirus]

That's my lathe. It's great. My serial is 98220.

[@RotarySMP]

They are a handy tool.

[@bostedtap8399]

Nice lathe, small dials was probably indicative of real world tolerance expectations, nice job on clean up. I think Pratt chucks were all English made, possibly Pratt Burnerd, pretty sure Pratt International are all made in the far East. Safe trip all.

[@RotarySMP]

I have a similar Bernerd 4 jaw on the Schaublin. Great chuck.

[@philipzielinski]

The follow rest and steady rest are real treasures. Hard to find and come at a premium.

[@RotarySMP]

They are in really nice condition, and have never been used (follow) or abused (steady).

[@lumotroph]

“Oh good, a data plate I can clean!” 😂😂😂

[@RotarySMP]

THought you'd like that :)

[@theirondungeon]

I GOT LUCKY! Just pick up a 1936 9a look very similar like yours! And its my very first metal lathe with a whole bunch of extras that i don't even know what it is!😮 serial # 58979

[@RotarySMP]

Nice score. They are a lovely home shop machine.

[@ronitsingh85]

great iconic lathe! Its in nice condition with sort after quality branded accessories. Even though changing feed speeds a pain, its all doable. The feet on your machine tells me its an earlier model, like 1940s (correction, Hudstr22 has nailed the date of 1936 below). And those old feet are nicer looking, giving the whole machine a pleasing look. I picked one for free here in US from the mid 1940s, most likely during WW2 as it has a plate on it saying its approved for serve by the war board, something along those lines. Its pretty well used, that there are ridges on the ways near the head stock 😞. But it has a quick change gearbox, looks to be a model A, 4.5 ft. Will give it a clean in the near future and see what it can do.

[@RotarySMP]

They are a really iconic design, and still surprisingly usable machine tool. I like making stuff on Dad's lathe.

[@ronitsingh85]

@@RotarySMP On such machines, you will do it with a big smile! they dont make them like this anymore. Back then American made products and tools were really good!

[@RotarySMP]

@@ronitsingh85 I really like the smoothness of belt driven lathes. The Boley 4LV I have is also a nice machine to work with.

[@ronitsingh85]

@@RotarySMP man never knew Boley made bigger lathes like the one you mentioned, it’s a beauty! They are freaking precision machines!

[@TrPrecisionMachining]

good video RotarySMP

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks as always for your support.

[@iNerdier]

You made a 5x4! I’d love to see that sneak into a video one day.

[@RotarySMP]

Noted... thanks for the feedback.

[@muh1h1]

Your dads shop looks kind of like my dads shop. He has no lathe, but it is equally as messy ;)

[@RotarySMP]

Yeah, order is not his strong suite :)

[@lukaradakovic5463]

Why are you only showing this to us now?? :) Should have started the channel with this beauty :)

[@RotarySMP]

Because I live 20,000 km away for this lathe, and NZ closed the borders for a couple of years :)

[@mazchen]

@11:17 aaah, now I'm getting an idea what the purpose of that small lever in my inherited Myford Super 7's gearbox could be!

[@RotarySMP]

Yep, they have a similar back gear system.

[@steveggca]

nice old lathe. have you seen photos of the slightly over restored 1926 16in lathe that has a page on the southbend site

[@RotarySMP]

Hi Steve, I havent yet. I have seen all the ones on Lathes.co.uk though.

[@steveggca]

@@RotarySMP Ah then you are in for a treat just use southbend restored 1926 16in lathe and it will take you right there oh and remember your conservators gloves

[@misterfixit1952]

When I saw you cleaning that 3 jaw (toward the end) and looking for the name, I said to myself, "that's a Cushman" and it was. MisterFixIt1952's secret identity is Bruce Cushman. A couple of good old English names, LOL. As the family lore goes, the Cushmans came to America on the Mayflower, back in the day.

[@RotarySMP]

A fine name in machine tool history.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

A real Busman’s Holiday, I see :0) A South Bend lathe, I can see why Mr. Pete is so fond of them. And even mention of a Boxford for AvE 😂 Hope despite the destruction and following political mud-slinging you can have a good time up there!

[@RotarySMP]

We have been lucky with the weather here, and largely uneffected by Cyclone Gabriel. But ht destruction is pretty severe, in Hawkes Bay.

[@vincei4252]

Rotary still hasn't figured out that to clean the name plate properly you have to toss the entire lathe in the ultrasonic cleaner 😂 [edit] Jokes aside, enjoy your trip!

[@RotarySMP]

I am a slow learner Vince. You know hat :)

[@vincei4252]

@@RotarySMP 🤗

[@JesusvonNazaret]

the toolholder of my shaper looks suspiciously similar to your toolpost

[@RotarySMP]

Got point. Lateen tool posts are used on both

[@Akitene]

Given its serial number, your Dad's lathe seems to have been built in 1936.

[@RotarySMP]

Wow, that is much older than I thought.

[@davidsamways]

I cut my teeth on one of these, great machines - imported into the UK in large numbers during the war. BTW, the Boxford was a clone of the Southbend.

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks for the feedback David. Yeah, I read that about the Boxford on Lathes.co.uk.

[@platin2148]

A sad thing is that there will be very likely nothing to preserve except the mini lathe which was prior in a terrible condition and is now. Basically saying they don’t make it like that anymore for the private person.

[@RotarySMP]

Yeah, you are right.

[@steveggca]

the reality is that this class of lathe was never made for the private person/consumer, always for a professional workshop and they are no longer available even for them. i have attended machine tool national trade shows since the mid 80' and with very few exceptions, machine shop quality manual lathes barely exist and are very expensive.

[@LongnoseRob]

When can we expect the crossover with Marty T 😊

[@RotarySMP]

Hi Robert. I really like his channel, but he is down on the south island. and I wont make it down there.

[@LongnoseRob]

@@RotarySMP no worries.. if it won’t happen this time, there is still hope for another time

[@glennmoreland6457]

I've got a floor standing 14 1/2" swing South bend lathe... Runs off flat belts... ☹🇬🇧

[@RotarySMP]

that is a pretty big lathe. Nice.

[@glennmoreland6457]

@@RotarySMP My mate's got a Broadbent facing & boring lathe from about 1900 with a 5ft drive plate... I've got a plano-mill by Wm. Muir from around 1895 with a 10ft table... We think it's a unique survivor... ☹🇬🇧

[@harlech2]

"My dad came from a time when everything was Imperial..." Yup, go to Metric and your balls fall off. Anyway, what a nice a son to clean his dad's lathe. Lost points for being a Metric Peasant, though.

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks Nick. I need to repent :)

[@klauswunderlich6169]

You know what that lathe could use? A cnc conversion. 😄

[@RotarySMP]

Sacrilege. You must banish those unclean thoughts.

[@ScottReeder-u5m]

Looks to be around 1936+-

[@RotarySMP]

Thanks. It is a nice old machine.

[@noodles7011]

Oils ain't Oils

[@RotarySMP]

I know it is is not the lubricant for this usage, but this lathe wont be used for a while, so I am only looking at rust prevention.