Diamond in the rough? SB lathe $800 Chelmsford MA

[Bob Engelhardt]

https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/tls/d/chelmsford-southbend-16x60/7295260663.html

It says "16x60", but that doesn't look like 60" to me. Only a single stage QCGB with 8-10 speeds/pitches - I suppose that means you can re-configure the open gears for other feeds (?). Is that a VFD on the wall?

[old mart]

Its hard to tell, my guess is no more than 40". Somebody is going to get a nice machine, at that price, you would expect to have a few things to put right. It says 230 volt and speed controller.

[mattthemuppet]

yeah, that's a hell of a machine for $800. That's a full norton gear box, just an older version with a single tumbler instead of 2 like the "newer" South Bends. There are 2 ratios from a sliding gear on the banjo, 3 ranges from the lever on the top and then the different ratios selected with the tumbler lever.

[OaklandGB]

Agree, that is no 60 inches. But at 800 bucks wouldn't toss her out for getting chips in the bed.

[DR]

Sometimes bed length is specified as the total length, not as distance between centers.

[nickel-city-fab]

That is one heck of a deal at that price. We used to have a single-tumbler machine like that at work, actual between centers was closer to 40".

[OaklandGB]

I dunno....maybe just the perspective of the photo. I found a SB 16x60 photo in roughly the same position as the CL listing. Just the distance between the left machine foot and the right side legs, seems like the CL machine is about 1/3 the length of the 60 inch model.
Again, still a good deal.

[OaklandGB]

The only other perspective in the CL photo might be the concrete block wall. Those are likely standard 16" concrete blocks.

[Bob Engelhardt]

... That's a full norton gear box, just an older version with a single tumbler instead of 2 like the "newer" South Bends. There are 2 ratios from a sliding gear on the banjo, 3 ranges from the lever on the top and then the different ratios selected with the tumbler lever.

That makes a lot more sense than what I was thinking. Just as convenient, almost, as 2-tumbler.

The only other perspective in the CL photo might be the concrete block wall. Those are likely standard 16" concrete blocks.

Yeah ... 2-1/2 blocks (40") between centers looks about right. As others have said. I would prefer that to 60".

[MrWhoopee]

Good price!

South Bend specified bed length instead of center to center distance, which includes the portion under the headstock. My Heavy 10L is a a 10x48 (48" bed), which gives me a little over 24" c-to-c.

[DR]

Good price!

South Bend specified bed length instead of center to center distance, which includes the portion under the headstock. My Heavy 10L is a a 10x48 (48" bed), which gives me a little over 24" c-to-c.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I kinda thought SB did it that way. besides where do you suppose the seller got the 16 x 60 spec? He doesn't seem real knowledgeable about the lathe in his description.

Somebody is going to snap this machine up for a real bargain. Wonder why the ad is still up after two days? That machine is not exactly an easy one to move, pretty heavy, not a throw into the back of the SUV deal. Not your typical home shop down the stairs to the basement move.

[mattthemuppet]

That makes a lot more sense than what I was thinking. Just as convenient, almost, as 2-tumbler.

I think the twin tumbler might cut a couple of threads (maybe) that the single tumbler one doesn't, but other than that the main advantage of the 2 tumber gear box is the lathe it's attached to will be newer

[jetlag]

I had a single-tumbler Sheldon lathe, sometimes wish I had never sold it. These old cone head lathes run very quietly, and are dead nuts simple to tear down and clean up. About the only deal killer would be a bed so worn that it needs resurfacing. It's probably in the 2500 lb range, which tends to keep some of the home shop guys away, because it can't be just picked up and horked into place by a couple of guys. There are countless online resources that support SB lathes, used parts are abundant, or easily made. It's about as simple as a lathe gets. No brainer, imo. 3 and 4 jaw chucks, and the steady. Rent a tilt-bed trailer, roll it out and winch it on. I doubt it will last long.

[tom_d]

Sometimes bed length is specified as the total length, not as distance between centers.

Yes. My South Bend 10L is specified that way.

[alanganes]

https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/tl...295260663.html

It says "16x60", but that doesn't look like 60" to me. Only a single stage QCGB with 8-10 speeds/pitches - I suppose that means you can re-configure the open gears for other feeds (?). Is that a VFD on the wall?

I don't think that is a VFD, but I am pretty sure that is a variable speed DC drive. Every bit as good as a VFD if it's done reasonably well. I think it says "Browning" on the front. I don't need a lathe, but I agree, that could be a nice deal for someone.