My South Bend Project (part 1)

[@williamsworkshopuk]

OK, I'm super pumped for this series - love vintage machine tools and can't wait to see how it gets going.

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, I’m secretly crapping myself, because its a big job. cheers

[@leslieaustin151]

I wish you all joy and a LOT of luck with all that. But I have every confidence that 1) you’ll make a great job of it, and 2) it’ll be a great video series. I’ll be watching.. PS, hope the camera gear has reappeared! Les

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks, the camera gear is a cheap Chinese device and its about ready to die, that’ll be a nuisance when that happens, but other than that i’ll do my best. regards.

[@garygenerous8982]

Really looking forward to seeing this project Paul. I know it will be awesome in the end.

[@Thesheddweller]

I hope so too. Cheers

[@nrml76]

I hope this series boosts your subscriber numbers. You deserve many more viewers and a good lathe restoration project is just the ticket. I hope the algorithm favours you. I'll certainly be following.

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks for your comments, cheers

[@howder1951]

Nice tour, I always like the way a fresh coat of paint makes a piece of equipment look loved, cheers and thanks for the vid!

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, yes paint does make them look like they will work like new, shame reality says otherwise. regards.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Excellent start to what promises to be an interesting new series. 👏👏👍😀

[@Thesheddweller]

thanks, I’ll see what I can do. Regards

[@JamesP_TheShedShop]

WONDERFUL!! I think it is so great you have a Mrs. that gets involved.

[@Thesheddweller]

yeah….. but my knees hurt. cheers.

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Paul, What a fabulous project, I feel very confident that you will make a cracking job of the restoration... See you in Part 2. Take care. Paul,,

[@Thesheddweller]

Thank you. Cheers

[@trollforge]

MrPete did a video a ways back where he brazed in a missing tooth and hand filed it to shape. Then demonstrated it was strong enough... Just a thought...

[@Thesheddweller]

sounds like a plan,… I’ll go take a look. cheers.

[@tomthumb3085]

Best of luck with your new project, but from what I see, you’re already making good progress. It should be a fine machine when it’s furnished. I’m looking forward to this series.

[@Thesheddweller]

I too am looking forward to this project. Regards

[@ParsMaker]

nice one, looking forward to see the assembled machine, 🛠️

[@Thesheddweller]

so am I, cheers

[@Pushyhog]

your gonna make it, patience & sleep on your thought’s, do not hurry,, it will come to you next morning. Thanks mister for this vid an upcoming ones. A real nice lathe.

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks, I might have to do a lot of sleeping on this one,… I think I’ll go back to bed right now. ;-D, cheers

[@matsworld9386]

Exciting times! Thanks for sharing .. I've done a Colchester Student and a Hardinge DSM-59 clone (Feeler) .. currently working on the Bridgeport .. very rewarding work and with your skillset it'll be better than fresh from the factory .. Looking forward to the journey!

[@Thesheddweller]

I’ll give it a go. Cheers

[@lecnac855]

I feel your pain. I am restoring a southbend 10 L lathe 10 x 4 1/2.. The prices here in the states for parts is all but unattainable so fixing and fabing is a long lonely road for pensioners .But we old guys can do it so grin and bear it like we always do. Waiting for the restoration videos.

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi. cheers, I realise its going to be a tall order but I don’t do easy and I don’t believe in the phrase ‘can’t be done’… regards.

[@a.bakker64]

Whishing you luck! Nice project.

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks, I do need it. cheers.

[@TheAyrCaveShop]

Congrats on the 13" SB that's a real nice size for the home workshop. I have a heavy 10 for the home shop and have hit the capacity limit several times wishing for a slightly larger machine. I had to replace the original bed that was worn beyond any chance of repair lucky I found a used one only 80 miles from the house, still with lots of ware, but a major step up. I also located a much better saddle. I'm not setup for real scraping or grinding, but did manage to get decent fit with my amature scraping of the saddle to the replacement used bed. I do get some taper in the work but have learned to manage it while turning. Hated to lose that original bed because the serial number had the US Navy anchor insignia since it's a war machine. Thanks Paul...looking forward to the next episode. ATB....Dean

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi Dean. This bed is probably as bad as it can get,.. I’m still going to try and sort it. regards

[@pauldorman]

I have a very similar model, also from the 1940s, and sadly also waiting for restoration. Mine has serial 131191, so a bit later than yours. South Bend Lathes were very busy during WWII. Mine was sent to New Zealand for the war effort. I would definitely consider grinding the bed ways though. Only need to get it done every 75 years or so, so not really that expensive in the long run! :)

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, I love New Zealand I’ve been there many times in the past, lovely country. 75 years worth of wear here was quoted at one place at £20,000+ about £266 per year. others were cheaper by quite a lot but I still can afford the cost of a back street repairer. I had a quote for replacing one gear tooth at £300 :-( , everything is so expensive at the moment. all the best.

[@jpsimon206]

I don't know if it helps since you are not in the United States, but I believe this is the single most common lathe on the continent. eBay is absolutely full of every possible part you could need in various condition. Shipping is usually more expensive than the part. But there is also an aftermarket for South bend, several people sell plans that you can take to a local shop and have their CNC replicate.

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks for that little snippet, I have looked on ebay for many things in the past and over here most Ebay entrepreneurs tend to ask for more money than new, Replacement parts from the united states are cheaper but as you say postage bumps the cost up and import duties at this end can double or even triple the cost, so it ends up expensive. Prices here in the past few months have really hit everyone but the rich, i’m certainly not rich. so I usually make my own stuff where I can, regards

[@ypaulbrown]

Dear Paul......wonderful machine.........cheers from the USA, I am the proud owner of a 13" South Bend from 1942...a 8113C [Tool Room Model, 6 foot bed] Cheers, Paul Brown

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, cheers

[@ypaulbrown]

Take care Sir.......Paul in Orlando@@Thesheddweller

[@tinker5349]

Hi thanks for sharing your video, look forward to watching your rebuild

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, Thank, I hope I meet with your expectations. regards.

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

Small as you space sounds I'm envious, not a chance I could get something that large in the door... I look forward to seeing you bodge it back to useful life.

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks I’ll do me best. Regards

[@toomdog]

Well shucks, now I have to subscribe so I can see the rest of it. I have an old 9” southbend in my basement from the 60s. It was a model c (I believe) but I retrofitted it with a quick change gearbox. It was in pretty good shape when I got it, but I think it’s getting to be time to tear it down and make sure all the oilways are open. Hope you have a blast!

[@Thesheddweller]

thanks, I have a plan….. sort of … but I’m going to have a go. Regards

[@mikebarton3218]

Can’t wait, Paul 😊😊👍👍

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, neither can I… cheers.

[@josephlovell6951]

Looking forward to see how you fix the bed ways

[@Thesheddweller]

So am I…. Cheers

[@burrefpv9273]

no one remembers a coward! god luck and thanks for shearing.

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks. you’re welcome, Cheers

[@chrislee7817]

Great to see a new project underway 😀. I'm doing the same with a Hardinge hvl lathe. I have to use a vfd and new 3 phase motor on mine. Hope the bed and cross slide don't put up too much of a fight getting them flat and parallel.

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi ...So do I. Cheers

[@grahamshedd9225]

Go for it!

[@Thesheddweller]

Thanks, already on it, :-)

[@howardosborne8647]

That 940 rpm motor you mention must be a 6 pole and is exactly the correct single phase type to fit onto an Alba 1 A shaper.

[@Thesheddweller]

you’re well ahead on me on that one, but yes its a good thought I might even do that. I currently have a 1420 rpm unit in there and extra pulleys to re gear the speed ratio. Cheers

[@peterhadfield873]

Thanks for that. It makes me feel better about my ml7 that needs a couple of thou scraping off the bed :-). Good luck

[@Thesheddweller]

lets hope that it works out ok, cheers

[@yak-machining]

Hi, i am currently in a restoration project on a 1919 german lathe and my idea for the v-ways is to use a lapping compound and the topslide to kinda lap it. Would you recommend it?

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, not knowing your machine or the amount of wear you are trying to remove, I would not use the top slide to repair the slide ways. There is a chance that the top slide will conform to the largest dimensions of the bed way and the problem may simply get worse. regards.

[@XXXXIndices]

Hi, your comment about spending your life polishing turds hit me like a ton bricks, thank you for the wake up.

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, you’re welcome.

[@jpsimon206]

I know there is plenty of documentation for this machine, but just by chance my neighbor Three doors down has the exact same machine. I restored it for him, but it does not see much use. If there is a part that you need to get measurements off of, I can probably help you out. I have a metrology Lab at home, and his just down the way

[@Thesheddweller]

Great, I might have to call you on that, Regards

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi, about 8 months ago you offered to help with component metrology, I could really do with some drawing dimensions for the lantern style tool post and all of its component parts....how are you fixed?

[@jpsimon206]

@@Thesheddweller That's certainly something I could do. I have a neuromuscular disorder so my drawing is awful but I hate computers and don't know how to do CNC modeling. But if you don't mind me using something super simple like MS paint for a back of the napkin sketch but with very precise measurements, that would be a lot easier for me. Does that work? One other thought... It's none of my business why, but I'm pretty sure the lantern toolposts were relatively universal, I don't know this South bend made their own or if it was similar to today's QCTPs. I ask because I have two or three lantern holders floating around. Totally get it if you want to make your own, but I bet you can find one in good shape for less than 20 bucks. Could you even get the material for that cost?

[@Thesheddweller]

@@jpsimon206 I recon if you're prepared to go mug someone for a part off their machine for a few days, to take it home and do a reverse engineered drawing for a total stranger, then you jolly well deserve an explanation. I may be as old as yellowstone park, but I've never used one of these tool posts. I didn't even know if it is a universal part, I have seen many being made on YT and although I've been to many 'second hand' markets and machine stores, I've not found one. One thing I can tell you for sure is, that if I could find a new one here, it will cost up to £200 ($300). Importing a second hand one from the US is subject to postage and a massive import tax costing me three or so more times the cost of the original part. I can make one from the stockpile of materials I have, and for the cost of sharpening a few tools and £10 ($15) of electricity. You can bet your boots that if I could get a south bend lantern type tool post holder, with all its component parts for twenty bucks here in the UK, I would crawl on all fours along the entire country to get it. Why would I want one? well, I was given a bunch of old style tools, and I would like to use these old tools, in memory of the old boy who passed away earlier this year. The trouble is these tools don't work properly in a standard tool post holder because they're too tall and have to be tipped at an angle to present the tip central to the work piece. I've no plans to fit a QCTP to this machine it deserves better. I think another reason that I can't get low cost South Bend spares here in the UK, is probably because South Bend isn't popular here and didn't export many to the UK, except during the last world war, many I fear, may now have been melted down and turned into garden ornaments, which is a shame. So, I don't care if you draw the the whole thing down on a piece of toast with a butter knife. With highest regards. Paul Hopewell.

[@johnjohnson764]

Get cracking! Understand your space problems, I have restored a large Willson lathe (1948) and am just finishing an Elliot Victoria horizontal mill with vertical head attachment ( Bridgeport). Check out Matt at Look Creations, who did a pukka job on a Holbrook lathe (as well as an Elliot shaper). Best Wishes, John Johnson

[@Thesheddweller]

Hi. I am cracking on. I’ve started to make some straight edges out of mild steel. I need these to identify the worst from the best ways on the main bed. Video to follow. Cheers

[@johnjohnson764]

@@Thesheddweller Well done. It is an uphill flog, but good when it's finished. Then you feel a bit lost......

[@Thesheddweller]

@@johnjohnson764 I could do with getting lost at the moment.... all this work 38 hours or so just switching between plate A, B and C,... A,B,C..A,B,C...A... I've just come in for a rest. :-I

[@johnjohnson764]

@@Thesheddweller Hi shed dweller - took me around 1 year each machine. Couldn't really use workshop inbetween - no room! Pretty fed up on both occasions, but was too far in to stop. And it was better than daytime TV really. Will all be fine at the end - then you'll be looking for another challenge... Regards

[@robertpearson8798]

That’s a rather ambitious project but I disagree about it being like polishing a turd. A turd starts out life as a turd but that machine started out life as a fine machine and could be again. Even if it isn’t brought back to factory specs it should still be able to do some fine work. You have more courage than I do, I wouldn’t have asked my Wife to help move those pieces.

[@Thesheddweller]

I was talking more with respect to the work involved rather than the machine. cheers

[@lourias]

Polishing a turd! LOL 😆

[@Thesheddweller]

I know... but I think i did it.