10L Identification

[Don J]

Ground and hardened ways was an option around 1956 and became a standard around 1965. The plates on this lathe look to be from a 70's era model, but they might not be original. The early SB bed had the casting date cast into the bed, on the inside in the gap between the ways, but I don't know when (or if) they stopped doing this. You might want to post this question over on the PM site in the South Bend subforum.

The plates appear to have been replaced. They don't lay flat and are in much better shape than the surrounding area.

Where would this casting stamp be. In the middle? Towards the headstock?

 

[SLK001]

Where would this casting stamp be. In the middle? Towards the headstock?

The ones that I have seen were just about in the middle of the casting. Here's a picture of one from an early lathe. If I'm not mistaken, this picture was taken from the back toward the front, so you might have to strain to find yours, if you only have access from the front.

 

[Don J]

I found... something. On the front side of the bed, in the first full web next to the headstock.

Appears to be two plates riveted on.

I think it's 6861W4R1 (could be 6851W4R1) and SM