Photo Index - South Bend Lathe Works - Model A, Horiz. drive

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
South Bend Lathe Works
South Bend, IN

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Lathe, Metal
Machine Size:	9" x 4 1/2'
Submitted By:	Mike Fendley

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model A, Horiz. drive
Date of Manufacturer:	January 1947
Serial Number:	183423 (View SN Registry Entry)
Last Updated	12/21/2012 6:37:34 PM

Comments:

This SB 9” x 4 1/2’ lathe was purchased new by my brother-in-law’s father in 1947. It was used on a farm until a shop fire. Fortunately the fire was at the opposite end of the lathe’s location but water and smoke damage made the lathe a mess. To save it they poured hydraulic fluid and anything else oily they still had to save it. It then sat that way for more than 10 years collecting grime as farm needs took priority. I eventually bought the lathe for $250 minus the stand and paid another $250 for shipping - Oregon to Iowa. South Bend sent me the building / shipping info at my request. I had sold my Craftsman Commercial 12” (Atlas) lathe to help keep my son in machinist school. The SB 9” was to be the replacement for my lathe. However, before I could finish the restoration, I came into the possession of an old (green) Jet 12x40 with lots of tooling and virtually brand new for $400 (right place, right time.) So the SB sat for another 10 years. I was out of work for awhile and my son encouraged me to finish the lathe and sell it. However, this lathe still had frosting on the ways, and had seen very little use. Since my son wanted a lathe and was now working as an aerospace CNC machinist, I asked him for $500 to finish the lathe. I broke even, my son got a great lathe, and we kept it in the family. I had kept the very nice stand and cabinet to my old Atlas lathe, and modified it slightly with some aluminum plate to mount the SB lathe. The only thing I had to do was put a new motor on it, machine the exact double pulley for the motor (the specs were out there) and put an automotive serpentine belt on it for the drive. We flipped the belt and ran it on the smooth side. The lathe is extremely accurate and has a collet set with a quick change tool post as well. We feel blessed to have such a fine lathe and the longest one SB made in the 9” category.

Photo 1:

Comments: Lathe w/stand & cabinet
Source: My camera

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Photo 2:

Comments: Before
Source: My camera

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Photo 3:

Comments: Carriage
Source: My camera

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Photo 4:

Comments: headstock
Source: My camera

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Photo 5:

Comments: Tailstock & steady rest
Source: My camera

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Photo 6:

Comments: Tooling cabinet
Source: My camera

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