South bend lathe

[matthewsx]

What's that? That was a project you built with your dad? You guys are a couple of bad ass's to get with something like that. That's really amazing. Thank you for your reply

It's a Mustang ll he built in our one car garage when I was a little kid. Unfortunately he sold it when my parents divorced in 1973 and never got to fly it himself. He bought the plans, redesigned what he wanted changed, welded and formed the airframe from steel and aluminum, got it all the way to engine and avionics installation before he had to let it go. I did get to fly with him in a Cessna much later though when he was going for his IFR in the 80's.

He was a US Navy vet, graduated 3rd in his class from USC with chemical and aeronautical engineering degrees, ran the Saturn V test lab for United Technologies, designed nuclear power plants, programmed computers, and did a whole lot of secret stuff for the government he could never talk about.

He taught me how to use tools but wouldn't let me take a machine tool trades class in high school (I understand why now). He took me kart racing, taught me how to cook, how to debate, and how to care for my family....

He was the bad ass, especially since he was doing all this as a black man in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

So, take you time. Nothing you have their will spoil and it might just turn out to be more valuable than you could imagine.


Cheers,

John

 

[mikey]

John, thank you for your sensitive post. It's very clear that you had a special bond with your Dad. I'm sure he was just as proud of you. My sincere condolences to you and erstrauss for your loss.

 

[erstrauss]

I really appreciate all of your kindness

 

[erstrauss]

I would think you've got three possible categories of stuff here. The machines themselves, and any tooling that would normally be sold
with them, tooling that isn't machine specific, such as measuring tools, and spare parts for the machines which could be sold with
them, or could be sold on eBay if you wanted to get top prices. It sounds like you want to keep it simple, so spare parts could
go with the machines as a package. Other tools are a bit more difficult, since anyone buying a package of that stuff probably would
want to low ball you so that they could re-sell individually. You might want to keep in mind that the prices your Dad payed for that
stuff may not be relevant to their value today. Pics of the machine and, the inventory list and the tooling would help.

Ok so it took a few photos. Any advice would be hepful

 

[Tim9]

That’s a nice clean lathe. That said... the only way the price would approach 7000.00 dollars is if it includes a lot of accessories and tooling. Such as extra chucks... collets and maybe a rotary table.. Tooling really adds a lot IMO.

 

[erstrauss]

That’s a nice clean lathe. That said... the only way the price would approach 7000.00 dollars is if it includes a lot of accessories and tooling. Such as extra chucks... collets and maybe a rotary table.. Tooling really adds a lot IMO.

Does 50 cents on the dollar sound reasonable

 

[Eddyde]

Does 50 cents on the dollar sound reasonable

It also depends on the location. In the "rust belt" states it won't get as much since there are plenty of used machines available. However, in the "machine desert" states a fine lathe like that could do fetch better than .50 on the dollar. What all are you including in the package, do you have photos of tooling etc.?

 

[erstrauss]

It also depends on the location. In the "rust belt" states it won't get as much since there are plenty of used machines available. However, in the "machine desert" states a fine lathe like that could do fetch better than .50 on the dollar. What all are you including in the package, do you have photos of tooling etc.?

 

[markba633csi]

That FB-2 is very desirable and rare, think carefully before letting it go too cheap
You should be able to get 5K for that; it looks to be in mint condition, and very few of those around
Mark

 

[erstrauss]

Yeah I was thinking about going about that price It has not seen much use. This is about all the use that has seen this is a chassis for a scale model live steam locomotive. It was never touched again after that