Is it restorable?

[Dinwoodie Cutlery Concepts]

So when I moved into my new shop my landlord informed me that he had moved a bunch of machinery out of the way when he bought the building a few years prior. Among some of the machines was this South Bend 11” lathe I almost started crying when I saw that he just moved them outside and left in the weather. I was wondering if any of you would attempt to restore something like this or is it just scrap? s

 

[Buffalo21]

If you have enough money and time, anything is restorable, whether is worth the effort, is up to the restorer

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Run away-
unless you have a time machine, an unlimited source of funding, or are just a masochist

The project will consume time, cash, and a part of your soul.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

the pantograph machine would be worthy of restoration on the other hand

 

[Cooter Brown]

Don't let these guys scare you, this machine doesn't look that bad yet..... but it will be alot of work especially if you don't already have a lathe and milling machine. I would love to take on a project like that....

 

[eugene13]

As I said on your other thread, What a crying shame, I would put it in front of my shop and display potted plants on it.

 

[Dinwoodie Cutlery Concepts]

the pantograph machine would be worthy of restoration on the other hand

Funny you say that I took some pics of that too and was going to post that next!

 

[Dinwoodie Cutlery Concepts]

Don't let these guys scare you, this machine doesn't look that bad yet..... but it will be alot of work especially if you don't already have a lathe and milling machine. I would love to take on a project like that....

I do have both already but I really want a lathe with a quick change gearbox my Logan uses change gears that I have none of.

 

[Cooter Brown]

I do have both already but I really want a lathe with a quick change gearbox my Logan uses change gears that I have none of.

Getting the lathe back to a usable state won't be that difficult but it probably won't be that accurate don't expect crazy tolerances from a machine brought back from that unless you have a lot of money to spend on it.

 

[brino]

but it will be alot of work especially if you don't already have a lathe and milling machine.

you would also need ~100 gallons of Evaporust
or
an electrolysis tank big enough to soak the entire machine.......

Now, I love a good restoration and pulling a machine from the clutches of death, but this candidate might be passed the limits.
I hate to ever say that, but wow, I dunno how that could be saved......

Perhaps the legs and threading dial could be salvaged for restoration of another machine.....

So sad!

-brino

EDIT, if you try:
expect every oil passage and bolt hole to be plugged with sand and dirt from wasps
get it inside!!!
coat it fast and every week in a good penetrating oil (I like 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and acetone)
let it sit and soak in penetrant for a few months