Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

lathe question

bobski
as many may know, i have my dads 1940 southbend model b lathe. its old, 220v, runs off a belt that engages with a lever under the wood table, its heavy, but runs fine. my question is, since its old and doesnt have an emergency stop brake pedal, (which is what i need in my line of work,) if i sell it, will all that tooling work in another more modern lathe? i have chucks, cutters, etc... etc... and dont want to have to buy all new stuff if i dont have to.
0

Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Tailgunner1954
    Depending, the chucks will probably not work on a new lathe (mounting issues, you may be able to get a adapter however).
    The rest of the tooling should be transferable, however, selling the old one will be much easier (and for a better price) if the tooling is included.
    Some specialized tooling, taper cutting attachments, center rests etc may be specific to that lathe only.

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
    0
  • Ballistic
    It depends; the chucks may be a problem. The tailstock taper should not be a problem. There are taper adapters available at any good machine shop supplier. The tool post holder on your compound should also be adaptable to find centerline of your headstock.
    However if your going from a 9# swing to a 14# swing the chucks (4 jaw),(3jaw)(magnetic)most likely will not fit. But they may make backplates to adapt.

    All the tooling can be used.
    0
  • perry shooter
    Hello Bobski I have an older belt drive lathe also . Get on line and look at MSD and ENCO they sell supplies and MSD ships same day "GOOD PEOPLE" they have adapter plates etc.
    0
  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    It'll probably do just fine for what You want to do....I inherited My Dads old Southbend many years ago...It was belt driven and He could make the Old Turkey sing a song! it was a 14" Swing and He had the Plate to adapt to a Inch and a Half- Eight Chuck...With all the Room You have in the basement, I'd just pickup a Lathe from one of the Importers to fill in for small Jobs and keep the Big Job for serious work.....You did'nt mention the Bed length...? That will mean everything...Some Barrels are pretty long.....Nothing worse than not being able to turn a barrel and realizeing that You traded off the Machine that was capable of doing the job...
    Also, You'll find a lot of your Tools are swapable....Also....is it a Quick Change, or Geared...Sure wish you was out here on a visit...I'd drag You off to ISCHUTE's Digs....Now theres a Mans Shop!..Its a place to make a Man Drool all over Him self....You'd learn a lot from a man like Him......I wish You Well......Best.....

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
    0
  • ballardpacific
    You know, it is not that hard to rig a shutoff. Just run the cord to a switch on the floor which is activated by your foot and spring loaded so that, when you remove your weight, the switch disconnects. Alternatively, you could mount a kick switch on the leg of your lathe table that would punch on and off as you kicked it. Think a heavy button style switch behind a hinged wooden kickboard. This is all pretty basic electrics, and the only thing you have to watch is that your equipment will handle the amperage.
    0
  • allechalley
    Guys, read carefully. He wants to upgrade to lathe with a foot controlled BRAKE on the drive. Important for safety and some jobs that you just don't want free wheeling for 3 minutes. Friend of mine has an Enco and has used it hard for a number of years and about all I know of was he wiped out the main shut off switch eventually. Do watch the size of the thru hole in the arbor as many larger lathes have dinky thru hole which can really limit the lathe's ability.
    0
  • rhmc24
    I upgraded from an Atlas to a South Bend to a Logan back in the 70s. None of the maker-specific tools and attachments would work from one to the other. I had to install a brake on the Logan due to long coast-down time. I was able to get it from the then-successor to Logan who was out of the market at the time. It was a simple thing I could have made myself, a lever that applied a shoe that would rub against a rotating surface. There may be something similar made by or for South Bend that you could seek on one of the auctions. Or try to make it yourself. A lathe with flat belt drive should offer several places for your brake shoe to press against.
    0
  • select-fire
    bobski, listen to the Capt... IF you do decide to sell it most buyers will want everything you have that works with it. I would keep it and buy another..
    0
  • bobski
    thanks guys! selectfire..im honored to be 9999. respond with a 'youre welcome' and id be honored to be your 10,000th post!
    0
  • select-fire
    Your welcome ! You might also want to consider doing some collet work instead of 3 or 4 jaw chuck work. Just remember you can spend a bundle on the tooling. Without the proper tooling a machine is not as capable as it could be.
    0
  • Frogbert
    The Spindle and thread size can be adapted to use all your stuff, probably:

    http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=136-949


    Frog.

    RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to. -Roger Miller
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity