Old Southbend

[topbloke]

I managed to acquire an old 9" southbend last year and have started to recondition the machine. I am unsure of how old the unit is, but the guy I got it from said he thought it was around the 1930's era. The serial number on the bed is 63573.
The machine is an underbed drive unit, which I have already stripped and repainted all of this was in good shape bar the many layers of paint and dirt.
I am currently working of getting all of the layers of paint off the bed so I can get the ways reground as there is a little wear near the headstock (to be expected for its age).
Can any body shed some light on whether the age is correct.

[garyphansen]

My 9N Model A was made in 1940 and the serial number is 103656 and the bed was scraped by L.O.R. I was told that L.O.R.'s first name was Lars and his biceps were around 20" Gary P. Hansen

[barts]

Take a look at the info on this site:

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

- Bart

[10KPete]

My 9N Model A was made in 1940 and the serial number is 103656 and the bed was scraped by L.O.R. I was told that L.O.R.'s first name was Lars and his biceps were around 20" Gary P. Hansen

Now doggoneit Gary, I know you have a lot of SB info at your fingertips but how the heck did you figure out who scraped the bed?????

Pete

[garyphansen]

I met a guy that worked with L.O.R. at South Bend. He told me the guys full name but I only remember his first name because this was 30 years ago. (L.O.R. is stamped under the serial number) Gary P. Hansen

[garyphansen]

If you post a photo of your lathe on the PM South Bend web site and ask nice, I will bet that Steve Wells can tell what year your South Bend was made. Gary P. Hansen

[x39]

Great link barts, thanks.

[topbloke]

Here are a few photos of the underbed drive unit.
I have put the link to my flickr site as I dont think they are going to come through.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3630893...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3630893...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3630893...n/photostream/
Thanks for the link, I have looked at Tony's site before, but as you can see this underbed drive unit is not illustrated on his web page.

What are your thoughts on how the reco is going

[JCHannum]

Serial numbers are listed here;

http://www.wswells.com/index.html

It would appear your lathe is late Thirties.

[10KPete]

Here are a few photos of the underbed drive unit.
I have put the link to my flickr site as I dont think they are going to come through.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3630893...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3630893...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3630893...n/photostream/
Thanks for the link, I have looked at Tony's site before, but as you can see this underbed drive unit is not illustrated on his web page.

What are your thoughts on how the reco is going

Wow! And I thought I was the only 'nut' to paint the inside of dark hole white. It's hard enough to see what you're doing inside spaces like that without it being painted a dark color adding to the problem.

Good work!

Pete