New Guy from MA with a 13" SB

[1952B3b23]

Hey Guys,

My name is Chris and i recently bought this 13" South Bend off of Craigslist. I'm new to machining and i'm looking forward to learning a lot here. The lathe will help me with my hot rod and antique car projects. As well as different pieces of tooling for metal shaping.

A friend of mine came over and showed me how to run it a little bit. It seems to work pretty well but i do have some questions.

1. Can someone decode the serial number, 10152TKX14? The catalog number isn't stamped into the gear box tag which i find kind of strange.

2. I've looked at a bunch of pictures of other 13" SB's and they all seem to have a 4 step cone pulley. Mine is only 3. I'm wondering if someone swapped parts on it at some point?

3. For tooling, should i stick to regular HSS or try carbide? I'm tempted to try grinding my own out of HSS.

Here's some stuff that I've done to it since I've had it... I bought a new leather belt from Hudson Belting in Worcester MA. Replaced the two old V-belts that where all stretched and cracked. I got a Phase II quick change tool post (wedge style). I also bought the proper SB lathe oils off eBay and cleaned and re-oiled the lathe. I picked up a trav-a-dial off of eBay to mount to the carriage as well.

Thanks in advance for any info,

-Chris

 

[34_40]

Hello Chris, welcome to the site and it's a great looking lathe and you've done some great updates already.
You'll be further ahead with the HSS tool bits imho, but having some carbide bits on hand will never be a bad thing.
We are not terribly far apart, there's a few from MA on this site.

Most of all - have fun and thanks for posting all the pics.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Hi Chris,
beautiful lathe you got there!
i hope these links are helpful.
http://www.wswells.com/serial_number.html
http://www.southbendlathe.com/products/catalog-numbers/13-to-16-inch-lathes
http://www.grizzly.com/brands/south-bend-lathe/serialcard

 

[thomas s]

Welcome Chris, Yes that is a nice lathe.

 

[1952B3b23]

Hello Chris, welcome to the site and it's a great looking lathe and you've done some great updates already.
You'll be further ahead with the HSS tool bits imho, but having some carbide bits on hand will never be a bad thing.
We are not terribly far apart, there's a few from MA on this site.

Most of all - have fun and thanks for posting all the pics.

Thank you. I feel like learning to grind my own tools will be a really useful skill. So ill have to give it a try. I'd like some pre-ground tooling so that i can compare my work to it. Btw- nice hot rod in your avatar! I'm also a hot rod guy.

Hi Chris,
beautiful lathe you got there!
i hope these links are helpful.
http://www.wswells.com/serial_number.html
http://www.southbendlathe.com/products/catalog-numbers/13-to-16-inch-lathes
http://www.grizzly.com/brands/south-bend-lathe/serialcard

Thanks for posting the links. I had found those once before but this time around i found the serial number listing extra useful. Comparing my S/N to the listing i believe my lathe is from around the mid 1960's ('64-'66). I also see another lathe, serial # 11034TKX14 which is described as having 6 spindle speeds. 40-940 RPM, just like mine. I guess the 3 step cone pulley was a thing that they did. I wonder why, since most of the pictures i see of other 13" lathes have a 4 step pulley.

Welcome Chris, Yes that is a nice lathe.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[1952B3b23]

So the other day i was talking with my neighbor who's father passed away a couple years ago. She mentioned to me that her dad use to be a machinist. I told her that i just recently bought a lathe and was starting to get into it. Then she tells me that her dad had some old tools up in the attic if i was interested. Of course i said yes and up into the attic we go. There sits a pristine looking Kennedy Tool Box. I pop the top and start to quickly look through the drawers and such. I'm instantly amazed at how nice of condition everything was in. Most of the dial indicators and some of the other tooling are still in the original Starrett and Brown and Sharpe cases/ boxes! As i open the bottom drawer one certain tool catches my eye, the Indian motorcycle adjustable wrench. I asked about it and she told me that he use to work at Indian (in Springfield) as a machinist (sometime during the late 40's early 50's). Then for a different company, also in Springfield. She tells me shes going to talk to her husband and see if he wanted any of the stuff and that she would let me know. The next day after work i see them across the street. She waves me over and tells me that i can have the box if i want. We exchange some cash and away i go smiling from ear to ear! I've attached some pictures of the different stuff i got. I'm really excited to have this stuff and i'm sure ill put it to good use over the years to come.

-Chris

 

[34_40]

WOW! Some guys have all the luck or lead A CHARMED LIFE!

Congrats, you've captured some really nice pieces there. You're on your way now...

 

[1952B3b23]

WOW! Some guys have all the luck or lead A CHARMED LIFE!

Congrats, you've captured some really nice pieces there. You're on your way now...

Thank you! I try to be nice and personable so that probably helps in getting a decent deal. I really don't know what would of happened to this stuff if i didn't get it. No one else in the family had any interest or use for it.

-Chris

 

[Silverbullet]

YUPP say good by to anything you did before. These machines are great at overpowering our will with there need to produce . Forgot to say him and welcome, nice tools and lathe.

 

[Bill Gruby]

Welcome aboard Chris. Springfield is less than an hour from me. I am just west of Hartford. Glad you found us.

"Billy G"