Is a South Bend 13" Lathe better than a PM1236 for this newbie?

[mmcmdl]

So , you want to talk ?

 

[Aaron_W]

US$3,500.00

It better come with a lot of tooling at that price.

 

[mmcmdl]

It better come with a lot of tooling at that price.

Gift certificate from MSC for $3250 would be appropriate .

 

[wachuko]

Hahahahaha... okay, okay... but keep in mind that everything that I find for a lathe like that, hovers around that price... I have no idea where you guy, today, are finding stuff so cheap....

As mentioned... trying to get something locally... simply because of pricing and shipping costs... and not being able to see and test before buying from a stranger...

For the mill, I have several machines that I can look at locally... Monday I go to a local (some 40 minutes away from the house in Ocala) machine shop that also sells machines... he has a couple of JETs, Acra, Wells-Index, etc. And a few lathes... Rather than spend time on the phone and asking for photos, being so close, I am just driving over Monday to look at what he has and find out pricing...

But if someone here in the forum had something...

 

[mmcmdl]

But if someone here in the forum had something...

What you talkin about Willis ?

 

[Watchwatch]

For what it’s worth.

My PM1236T is a joy to use. Puts a smile on my face every time I use it. For reference, I grew up running Monarchs, Hardinges, Mori Seki CNC, and a clapped the f out Bridgeport.


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[wachuko]

For what it’s worth.

My PM1236T is a joy to use. Puts a smile on my face every time I use it. For reference, I grew up running Monarchs, Hardinges, Mori Seki CNC, and a clapped the f out Bridgeport.


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Ahh... but you went with the PM 1236T.... The one I ordered is the PM1236... not the one made in Taiwan...

 

[Kevin T]

I can't imagine that you would not be happy with that 13" SB...if it's semi sorted and works. To the best of my knowledge they are a go to for gunsmiths who do a lot of operations on a lathe. There is a guy in another South Bend space that is looking in Florida too and the prices there do seem high for lathes. The price listed is the listed price not the what it may sell for price. I don't know what your experience level is with a lathe but there are ways to mess up a machine when you are not seasoned and for many, self included, a belt driven machine can help protect you and the machine. Plus if your smitten with how it looks it will always be a joy to approach in your workshop. If you get a mill, I am also searching for one, that is an awesome paring with a decent SB lathe. The two can keep themselves repaired, updated and functional. my .02

 

[Kevin T]

I looked the ad over and there are pictures of it outside with a broken saddle wheel. Maybe there is a story that needs to be told or asked about? It's stamped as Navy machine so as a fancy model that has a taper attachment it probably saw toolroom use. I have such a beast and when I got it is was in decent shape for such a life and being 75 years old. Somethign to look for is the gear selector position. I see the gear slection is far to the right for nice final skim passes or many thread per inch but the oil hole is at the far left side and usually the gear selector needs to be on the far left for the tumbler arm to recieve the drip of oil necessary to keep it lubed and not ruin it. Mine was messed up from lack of lube and needed attention.

 

[wachuko]

I looked the ad over and there are pictures of it outside with a broken saddle wheel. Maybe there is a story that needs to be told or asked about? It's stamped as Navy machine so as a fancy model that has a taper attachment it probably saw toolroom use. I have such a beast and when I got it is was in decent shape for such a life and being 75 years old. Somethign to look for is the gear selector position. I see the gear slection is far to the right for nice final skim passes or many thread per inch but the oil hole is at the far left side and usually the gear selector needs to be on the far left for the tumbler arm to recieve the drip of oil necessary to keep it lubed and not ruin it. Mine was messed up from lack of lube and needed attention.

Interesting… there are two ads… one did not have those photos…