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Armorer -- That's a really nice lathe and doesn't look like it has seen much use. What is the back story on it? How did you find it and what is its history?
 
Armorer -- That's a really nice lathe and doesn't look like it has seen much use. What is the back story on it? How did you find it and what is its history?
Thanks! Here is the story behind it. It was ordered by a man in Lincoln, NE and shipped to Baker Hardware in December of 1948. He worked for the railroad and used the lathe to make model trains. When he died his son inherited the lathe and it sat pretty much dormant since then. When he got a divorce a year ago he had to sell everything in his shop to downsize. He put it on Craigslist for $400 and I bought it sight unseen. It came with the bench which had 4 drawers full of tooling, as well as 4 buckets full of tooling. I didn't really know how good of shape it was in until I got it home and started disassembling it for cleaning. There wasn't anything wrong with the old girl, just decades of gummy oil with dust and dirt. And, of course, the gear cover hinge pin is loose. I still need to fix that.

I am in the process of making a new bench for it out of a steel base and a thick concrete top.
 
Afternoon gentlemen. I just picked up a heavy 10 that I am trying to date. The Southbend serial number page is a little confusing so I am looking for some other opinions. I can't post pics for awhile, but here is the info. model # CL187RB, serial number #2375R , 4.5 foot bed. It has a taper attachment, extended range gearbox, flame hardened bed. The apron has the lever clutch instead of the " star wheel " type. I come up with a 1988 date, but I am probably wrong. (hope not) I intended to wait till spring to buy a Southbend, but this one was way too nice to pass on. believe it or not, I see no backlash at all on the compound, about .010 on the crossfeed, and no noticeable backlash on the carriage. I believe this was a toolroom lathe, but then again, I could be wrong. It runs extremely quiet even in backgear. I paid the same price I would of if I had bought an 80 year old SB. Plus it came with the heavy sheetmetal bench, 3 and 4 jaw chucks, a steady rest, a removable plexiglass chuck guard, a 3 phase motor on the lathe, and a brand new single phase ready to go in if I wish. I have been doing the happy dance since I picked it up this morning.
 
whups, meant to start a new thread, sorry about that. Mods feel free to move this if you wish
 
Thanks to all that resized and loaded full size pictures
 
Afternoon gentlemen. I just picked up a heavy 10 that I am trying to date. The Southbend serial number page is a little confusing so I am looking for some other opinions. I can't post pics for awhile, but here is the info. model # CL187RB, serial number #2375R , 4.5 foot bed. It has a taper attachment, extended range gearbox, flame hardened bed. The apron has the lever clutch instead of the " star wheel " type. I come up with a 1988 date, but I am probably wrong. (hope not) I intended to wait till spring to buy a Southbend, but this one was way too nice to pass on. believe it or not, I see no backlash at all on the compound, about .010 on the crossfeed, and no noticeable backlash on the carriage. I believe this was a toolroom lathe, but then again, I could be wrong. It runs extremely quiet even in backgear. I paid the same price I would of if I had bought an 80 year old SB. Plus it came with the heavy sheetmetal bench, 3 and 4 jaw chucks, a steady rest, a removable plexiglass chuck guard, a 3 phase motor on the lathe, and a brand new single phase ready to go in if I wish. I have been doing the happy dance since I picked it up this morning.

Nice score ! Maybe some of my luck rubbed off (hee hee). I'm almost envious but then again I have the Harrison M300 for competition.
 
I bit the bullet over the weekend and picked up a SBL 9a lathe so I can finish reconditioning my Van Norman mill. Overall I'm very satisfied with the purchase. Although like any piece of used machinery there is room for improvement.

I am a little concerned about the serial number stamped into the bed. 21890NAR9 is the serial number. According to the formula of (21890^0.0059)*1812 the bed comes up as 1922. Any suggestions to the actual year?

This week, I should receive new tools for the lathe. Once I finish turning new bronze bearings, I'll work on a better work bench designed for the lathe. Here is a picture tonight after setting up the countershaft, adjusting belt tensions, and giving it a spin.

image.jpeg
 
Once I finish turning new bronze bearings, I'll work on a better work bench designed for the lathe. View attachment 129176

I think you'll find that the spindle runs directly in the cast iron head stock (no bronze bushings) unless someone fitted them in the past. Looks like the lathe hasn't been too abused, your iron bearings will likely be OK and best left alone if possible.

Would require line boring to do fit bushings; tough task, although it has been done.

John
 
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