[Newbie] Restoring South Bend 9" Swing 3' Bed Catalog No. 25-YB

[Colin_in_socal]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and I recently purchased a South Bend lathe. The lathe has a plate stamping on the side of the gear box that shows Riverside Machinery Depot (looks like the original purchaser of this lathe based on information I found). I have been having trouble finding any information on 25-YB South Bend lathes (even just a picture of one). I want to make sure if I am missing any of equipment (stands, chip pan, etc.), that i will try to find it or at least set it up as close to its original design. The guy I purchased it from seemed to "mickey mouse" set up with the machine attached to a pallet with wood screws in order for a quick turn around. I do give him credit to where the lathe runs, but in no way do I want to leave in this condition. If any one knows information about 25-YB or can lead me in a direction to find more information, it would be much appreciated. Also this is the first lathe I am restoring, so if any one has suggestions on key things I should pay attention to or anything else, please feel free to give advice.

Thanks.

 

[vtcnc]

Hi Colin, welcome to H-M! That is a nice lathe you have acquired! Congrats! You may want to check out the machine specific forums where you connect with South Bend lathe enthusiasts. For sure, I agree that you should get that off the pallet and onto a bench. That would be my first project. For about $50, you can put together a 2x4 bench with plywood top that will support this lathe adequately. From there, you can start making chips!

 

[SubtleHustle]

Hi Colin, I recently restored a 38 SB, and the first thing I did, was order a serial card, from Grizzly.com. it has some useful info on it...catalog number, date shipped to original customer, and whom, as well as other lathe specifics. The serial card costs $25, and they send you a digital copy of it. Anyways, I found it helped me, might help you as well.

 

[francist]

This is always a good place to start:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend9-inch/

According to information there, the "Y" in the YB designation is for the 3' bed. Have fun!

-frank

 

[Superburban]

Hey Colin.

Looks like you have a decent machine there.

A search through the download section here, and over at http://vintagemachinery.org/ will get you tons of information.
And http://www.wswells.com/serial_number.html can help you with dating the machine by the serial number. With the year, then look for the parts book from the other sources. That has done me better then trying to find info by the model number. Also, the serial number card from grizzley, at https://www.southbendlathe.com/ can also get you some of the original configuration info.

Keep the pics coming, we all love machine porn.

 

[Colin_in_socal]

This is always a good place to start:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/southbend9-inch/

According to information there, the "Y" in the YB designation is for the 3' bed. Have fun!

-frank

Thank you Frank. That is something I was actually trying to figure out for quite awhile.

 

[Colin_in_socal]

Thank you all for your quick replies. Hopefully, I can get this machine up and running the way I want in the next couple months. I will add pictures of the progress I am/will be making.