Need help on where to start on SB lathe

[Jericho]

New to lathe repair and site. Already did introduction and now need some guidance. Recently bought a SB lathe that is full of grit so am thinking full tear down and need help getting info and started. SB Serial card has the following info. Shipped 9/22/1943. Cat #8187-RN. Size 10L x4 1/2. QCG 100 gear box. This gearbox bottom lever is broken. I'm told it can be repaired but if not will other gearboxes for sale on Ebay fit it that have two lower levers?and what are the ramifications and interchangeability of such items.? What is the common name for this lathe,heavy 10, model A,B,C,L,etc?See lots of repair manuals and kits for rebuilds but don't know which to get. Would rather get correct one the first time. Also the gear that is carried by the aforementioned lever is worn to sharp points which must affect backlash and seems to need replacing. The spline shaft it slides on seems to have had two favorite positions and significant wear from the grit that has been held on it for these many years. Had a manual with it that has been wet so parts numbers are in the large part obliterated by having to peel the pages apart. Parts list # was P-10 and I can not find a copy of it online. Will need to get parts list before even talking to SB for spare parts and I don't think they necessarily have a broad choice of them because of age. That's why I'm thinking that used gear box in better condition might be best alternative.Motor is under the lathe in a cabinet with two doors and 6 drawers.
Any thought or help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pacer]

I am in the final stages of a rebuild on a close relative of your lathe - mine was made on May 18, 1944.

The designation of the lathe is known as a "SB 10L" or "South Bend 10L", use that in any searches or questions you have. Also, you have what is referred to as a "cabinet model". (mine is on a "cast base")

Do a search under my name here - 'pacer' - and elsewhere under 'Bill Pace', I have done several posts about my rebuild.

About your only source for parts are scrounging used - ebay primarily (use the key words I mentioned above) and bulletin boards like this and others. For something like that gear, you'll have to make it yourself or have someone to do it (I made mine, along with 5 others)

There are a few sites that are 'must have' to guide you in working on it. There are 2 that - in my opinion - are on the top.

This is THE BEST: you will find your parts list there, and tons of other info...
http://wswells.com/

Second is the PM South Bend section: Read the 'sticky' threads at the top, especially "noteworth threads" and "South Bend links"
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/

Here a link to a few pics in photobucket of some of the work I've done on mine ---
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/pace1980/South Bend Heavy 10/

 

[HMF]

Jericho, another plug on Jim's sites:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/southbendheavy10/
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/southbendheavy10files/

The files section has MANY (over 50) how to files for your Heavy 10. I know, because I put them there.

Next, buy Steve Brooks' restoration book- there is a thread on it on here:

http://hobby-machinist.com/index.php?topic=1140.msg13454#msg13454

Next check out my thread for what NOT to do:

http://hobby-machinist.com/index.php?topic=1123.0


Don't disassemble it any more than needed to get it into your shop (like I did).
Take a LOT of photos of how it was to help you get it back together.

I have a 10L also- though NOT a toolroom (which is better than mine), so I will be working on mine too eventually.

Nelson

 

[Jericho]

Thanks for the inputs . Have my rebuild manual and felts and oil wicks on order. I mentioned the broken gear lever and gears . Would really like to know what the difference is between all the gear boxes single lower lever vs two lower lever vs 10L and 10K gearboxes. There are some gearboxes for sale on ebay and I'm curious about interchangeability and pros vs cons of different boxes. Any guidance there?Mine is a QCG 100 and I've written one seller for the # on their box for sale.

 

[Jericho]

Thanks again Jim. That tells me more of how to proceed. I've been reading some of the files but haven't started the dismantling yet without the rebuild manual. My thinking is to start at the bottom and work my way up at repairs and painting.With the cabinet model, that should give me a workbench to help on each sub component.Will definitely look for the specific file in your previously mentioned files.

 

[HMF]

Jericho,

You are 5 posts away from becoming a "participant" which gives you access to the downloads area.

How about I bump you up, and you check out the SouthBend section of the American lathes area- lots of stuff in there.


Nelson

 

[Jericho]

Sounds like a great offer to me . Just accessed the gearbox tear down section on Jim's group. I appreciate all the kindness you folks have shown me. Been keeping my eye open for a thread dial indicator and somewhere think I saw an offer for blueprints to build my own. Don't have any gear cutting knowledge but seems not too difficult a task to attempt if I can locate a drive sprocket.Already figured a way to cut an indicator dial. Saw one on Ebay for an Atlas lathe and am curious if the gear and dial for it could be used with a different bracket and made to work.
May be getting a little ahead of myself though, lining up more projects than I can possibly do simultaneously.Wifey waiting for me to get ready for a trip. Thanks again.