South Bend 9A 644R Advice on purchase?

Jim F said:
As long as the ways are good, it is a really good deal.
Looks like the 4' version, also.
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Thanks, and yes, marked 4 1/2 and it certainly looks long! I don’t NEED one that long but figured better too long than too short.
 
Even though it's not pretty, it looks complete. That looks like a GREAT buy for 450.00
Cant have enough bed length! lol
 
Honestly, for that price it would be hard to go wrong.

Worst case (and I hate to even say it) would be if the ways are very terribly worn.....but then you my still make that money back by parting out (chucks, faceplate, gears, steady-rests, etc.)

My (SB 9-inch) ways do have a slight ridge near the top of the inverted V, and the carriage is a little looser near the headstock end, but I'm still able to do everything I want to the required precision.

From here it looks like he over-oiled it before taking those pictures.

Best of luck!
-brino
 
I spent 14 years in an all volunteer fire department.
Looking at the photos, first thing I thought was it kinda looks like machinery that’s been in a garage fire, then had a good soaking.
You’ll know by looking at it.
If i’m wrong (and I probably am) buy it quick!
 
Manual Mac said:
I spent 14 years in an all volunteer fire department.
Looking at the photos, first thing I thought was it kinda looks like machinery that’s been in a garage fire, then had a good soaking.
You’ll know by looking at it.
If i’m wrong (and I probably am) buy it quick!
Click to expand...
You’re giving me a lot of credit to think I’d know if it’d been in a fire. What should I be looking for as a problem? Is it just about rust, or do you think the wicks and other elements would have actual fire damage? Warped due to heat? I assume is the switch, belt, etc, is original, it’s likely not to have been torched? Thanks for the help.
 
brino said:
Honestly, for that price it would be hard to go wrong.

Worst case (and I hate to even say it) would be if the ways are very terribly worn.....but then you my still make that money back by parting out (chucks, faceplate, gears, steady-rests, etc.)

My (SB 9-inch) ways do have a slight ridge near the top of the inverted V, and the carriage is a little looser near the headstock end, but I'm still able to do everything I want to the required precision.

From here it looks like he over-oiled it before taking those pictures.

Best of luck!
-brino
Click to expand...
Yeah, I’m with you. Hate to think about parting it out. I want to turn some stuff. I likely won’t buy it if it’s just to part it out. Less interested in making my money back and dealing with that hassle than getting a decent machine. BUT if it ends up being a lemon after I get it home, there is definitely some solace in that advice. Thanks.
 
Sorry to put fire dought in your mind. Honestly you will know by looking at it.
I’m with Brino here, my ways are a bit worn, carriage moves easier toward the headstock, it is well worn. But it still makes very accurate parts.
About the only things that wear out on these old 9” lathes are the half-nuts & the cross slide nut. I just got both these parts from Jayhawkmachinetool. Well made & very reasonable.
Shoot this lathe even has a thread dial, looks like an Atlas, these work fine.
Like others have said drop everything & go buy it.
 
Manual Mac said:
Sorry to put fire dought in your mind. Honestly you will know by looking at it.
I’m with Brino here, my ways are a bit worn, carriage moves easier toward the headstock, it is well worn. But it still makes very accurate parts.
About the only things that wear out on these old 9” lathes are the half-nuts & the cross slide nut. I just got both these parts from Jayhawkmachinetool. Well made & very reasonable.
Shoot this lathe even has a thread dial, looks like an Atlas, these work fine.
Like others have said drop everything & go buy it.
Click to expand...
I was actually looking at the thread dial and it looks like it’s missing something but that’s not major. Wish I could drop everything. Counting on this dude to keep his word and wait until Saturday. That’s the risk but not worth losing a job to get a lathe. At least, I think that’s the right priorities...

Thanks for the feedback.
 
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