A LITTLE SOUTH BEND LATHE FOLLOWED ME HOME tubalcain - mrpete222 

Glade to see you rescue these old machines. Hope your grandson will appreciate them as much as you do one day. Yes, it is sad to see these shops closing.

Sad seeing a shop dismantled, but great to see the Lathe be rescued.

I just acquired my first metal lathe, a 13" x 7' South Bend from around 1945. Thank you Mr. Pete for all the knowledge you've shared over the years. I have a LOT to learn still, but I would never have pulled the trigger on this one without everything you've shared. Thanks from Enid, Oklahoma!

Just like in uk where I was born 2 or 3 hundred years of development ALL totally trashed these days and it's the same in Australia now BUT I SAVED A SOUTH BEND LATHE a few years ago No name but thanks to you pete I now know IT IS A SOUTH BEND no gear cover yet tho. Cheers and oh I do need one of those Milling machines , 1 million dollars to post to Oz is just out of my price tag at 73 yo on March 5 .cheers again ,Keith.

Come on, Mr. Pete, you're killing me. You're cornering the lathe market in Illinois. :) I think your grandkids might be some of the luckiest kids on the planet to have a grandfather with the knowledge and the tools you have. Hopefully, Jordan continues the interest he appears to be showing and learns everything he can from you.

Bald Eagles - A recovery success. They made their way down the Mississippi to St Louis, then back up the Illinois river and now into the Fox River. Seen many of them especially in winter near the dams. Wonderful.

Thanks for the video Mr Pete, I have the same model A lathe but made here in Adelaide Australia by a company called Hercus. Same flat belt drive and "Norton gearbox. Made in 1954. It has a flame hardened bed and the Metric chart on the gear cover. Have turned threads in Imperial as well as metric. I had a friend who managed a heavy machine shop regrind all the ways for me to bring it back to original condition. I did a complete strip down and repair where necessary when the ways were reground. I was lucky enough to have the complete collets and drawbar but had to find the travelling and fixed steady. It has no drive gear guard either but have never had a problem with that in the last 20 years or so. Take care and stay well. Gerry

"This is the last lathe I will ever buy" I feel a distinct tug on my leg. I said the same thing three lathes ago. Nice find, look forward to see you cleaning it up

Fellow on Ebay has some nice kits containing all the new felts and gaskets etc for doing an overhaul or serious clean up of this model. Thanks for taking us along!

lol, I've had that happen to me but not a lathe but almost that too. You were in my neighborhood as I recognized the building right away. Otto Engineering is doing a great job restoring those old buildings. It's too bad but we have lost many little machine shops around here. Good show, Lee

I have the same lathe, I'm excited to see you bring one home, and I look forward to seeing more of it as it gets cleaned up and put to use.

I have a Hercus Model A, made here in Adelaide, Australia, that is almost identical to this Southbend. Hercus built these lathes under licence to Southbend and continued with various models until the late 60's. Mine was built in 1949, so it is a year younger than me. Stil gets used a lot.

I can't wait to see the restore efforts, as I have the same lathe that was handed done to me. however it to is in need of a restore. I am just as excited as you. thanks for all the great videos.

Wow! That's the same lathe I have, except mine does not have the power cross feed. Also, wish it had a longer bed and larger spindle bore diameter, but it is what it is. Got it cleaned up and have been using it for a couple of years now with no problems. Great find. I wish more would follow me home.

It's a beauty. I have a 9 inch too made in 1934. I look forward to the restore videos. I need to do some tuning up on mine.

Funny,when I go on a road trip,lathes don't follow me home.LOL.Nice lathe and road trip.

Congratulations on the new addition to the family! Looking forward to many videos on it in the future.

Excellent another lathe saved from the scrap pile. A good solid small lathe that will still do many hours work. My own Boxford lathe model A is a clone of that basic model. Mine has the underdrive motor in the cabinet. I look forward to a series on the clean up overhaul and of course the first chips coming off of it. regards from the UK

Nice to see that Jordan is coming along nicely, when I first logged onto your site he had a high pitched voice, he is certainly growing fast....he will be very grateful to you one day for passing your knowledge onto him.....me too.

See that's what you get when you feed the wildlife !! trouble ... and then they follow you home, and that's when the trouble starts ... with the other half. Awww! just had an idea to paint googly eye on it like a sad seal. Also as long as it is rusty and she can plant flowers on it we may have a compromise.

As someone who very recently purchased a South Bend 9a of my own as my first lathe, I am beyond excited to see what you do with this!

Another great video and find. Being retired now as you are I bet you have been asked the question a lot like I have been, "But what do you do now with all your spare time since your retired, aren't you bored?" Ha! what a joke. Don't know how I got as much done when I was working and I'm busier now. I too have many things follow me home and enjoy every bit of it. Thanks for all the time you put into your videos.

Mr. Pete, I just wanted to share that I own a 4 1/2' 9A S/N 5151NRA8 that I purchased the "Build Card" from Grizzly on. It was built on 9/8/1947. I have owned it since 1993, and about 2 years ago, I took it totally apart and "restored" it with new parts where necessary.

"You can never have too many lathes." Ain't that the truth!

Nice find sir!!! It couldn't go to a better home!

this excites me. I've got one of those and can't wait to see the projects you do.

Wonderful, Mr Pete! Reminds me of the 9-inche South bend lathe I constantly used in High School shop class in the mid 1970's

Wonderful! I know how it goes - that's the "last" lathe you will ever buy until the time comes you find the "next" lathe you will buy! :) I have reached that point with 1980's General Motors cars. I have solemnly sworn NO MORE. Then one of my good friends buys me a 1980 Oldsmobile for my birthday this year! I'm sure you'll have this one in full fighting form in no time!

Love the old red brick buildings that were around the town you drove through. Not many around here where I live and they don't build them anymore. Probably to expensive because of labor. I worked on many South Bend lathes in the Air Force machine shops, the last one was manufactured in 1963 but still used the leather belting. I was the only one in the shop that knew how to stitch the new belt together when the old one had to be replaced. That held until I could locate some clipper hooks and lacing. I hated it when the Shop Chief decided to turn it in, it was one of the most accurate lathes in the shop at that time and it was great for smaller work. We got a newer S/B lathe in from another base that was closing the late 80s. It was a new lathe that was sitting in storage, but something in the gear train locked up during a break in procedure. That scraped it as the warranty was out and was to expensive to repair. Now the Air Force is replacing a lot of equipment with CNC machines.

Well I'll be damned! I picked up a 9" SB myself on the 25th (last Thursday) - it followed me home too!

Aside from a shame another shop gone. I have a twin, 444 Y also have a 444 R which is 4 1/2 bed. As far as a pulley gard- I never saw one. That will clean up nicely already I see thats Jordans job. Boy is he growing! South Bend means biggest bang for the buck! sam

That Jetstar is the most attractive tractor I've ever seen...love the lines on it.

Lyle Grandchildren grow up so quickly, don't they ? It took a while to pin down where you were when you picked up the lathe, but the " Batavia Creamery " signage finally gave it away. I knew the Fermi laboratory was somewhere in this area, but I just realised it's very close to the Batavia city centre. I had it on my list of places to visit in outer Chicago, but I never made it there. Ever been there ? Could those industrial buildings you showed have once been a furniture factory ? Thanks for taking us along for the ride. I very much enjoy seeing areas of rural Illinois and the many smaller towns I missed on my road trips in 2010. Kind regards.

A keeper for sure. Used one like that in school. Thank you for sharing

My first and thus far only lathe is a 10k model B with a 3ft bed. Nifty little machine that does everything I need and fits in my space constraints. Mine was missing the thread dial as well when I got it. The vintage thread dials are pricey but grizzly makes a new production that's easily adapted.

All those retired lathes follow home the old retired teacher... lol That's gonna be a year of 1947 class reunion...

Nice score Mr. Pete! I look forward to seeing it in action in future videos!

Mr. Pete, What a really nice little lathe I am looking forward to seeing you getting it ship shape and how you like to go about it in "The Right Way". It excites me a bit because it does not take up much room at all. I remember your tour of Grizzly very well my attention firmly fixated on all of those fine machines. I was hoping they would give you a nice one at a discount or free for promoting it. I do not seem to remember you getting one yet remember the man you met and visited. I want to rescue a machine or two and learn how to do it right finding the machines at a affordable price. Good buy Mr. Pete.

The Southwest isn't giving up any good lathe or mills, great video. Thank you.

What a cool little lathe. I used to live in Algonquin Ill ( rite on the Fox River on north river road ) I caught alot of fish in that river.

Sad to see a machine shop die. RIP in peace.

Wow, brings back memories. Im from Elgin originally

A 9" lathe is a handy size for small work... one advantage of living in the Mid-West is all of the old manufacturing sites per capita... sad to see the shops close down, but you can get some nice bargains on machines and tooling...

just wanted to thank you for this series. I recently was given and old South Bend model A. It was in "bad" condition. The quick change gears and levers were completely frozen.. It was this seres that gave me the knowledge to rebuild it. It is a functioning lathe now. Since I'm a furniture maker and not a machinist, I guess I'll be watching the other 700 videos to learn how to use it, LOL. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Wow, i used one of these old girls when i was in school 61 years ago... Thanks

I had this same model lathe in my automotive machine shop. I sold it when I closed up the business back in 1995 and regretted not bringing it home. Although it had seen a lot of use and was well worn. My lathe had a cast iron belt guard covering the V belt.

Nice find Lyle -- I can't consider buying a "last" one as I have no space left.! I expect you'll be having plenty to do cleaning it up and setting up.

Great adventure!!

I .the same lathe only longer, it didn't have a belt guard ether, I cant wait to see you use it.

My fav lathe!

Mr. pete just what you need another lathe, just kidding I wish I had that one just right for my basement, it does need a little hands on but I know it will get it.

Oh, how I miss Batavia and the old Challenge Windmill Factory!

I made it so my compressed air lines can't even reach the lathe area, just because i'm an airhead sometimes and i might forget and use one. Also, never say never, i'm sure you'll find another project lathe to work on at some point. I dunno, i find it fun to get them broken and cheap and work on them until they are restored. Hooked up three of my friends with smaller lathes, now i'm looking at getting in to a bigger sized one. :D

Nice little lathe o nothing better than gas station coffee doesn't the Windy City have a Starbucks anywhere sure would like to buy that thread dial

nice buy...good rescue...thanks again videos

Not Fair!! Here I am having to hunt like H for a lathe (I now have a couple though) and they just fall into your lap! Good reason to be living in the Industrial East and not west. Also just love the Architecture of the area and it was a nice setting next to the river. The East part of North America has beautiful old brick buildings here in the west where I live we seldom see brick mostly wood buildings with some sort of siding. Nice video Thank You Rod

Well this must be fate knocking me over the head lol. I am looking at buying very same lathe here locally, but have been on the fence. If it's Mr. Pete approved, I think it will be fine. Now I know what I'm doing today lol!

Thanks for the ride-along, great find!

Mr. Pete i enjoy all your videos and today i got my wish in the way of a 9" by 36" southbend. catolog # 80-yb it was given to me. It is dirty so i plan to clean it up and start learning how to run it. My dream come true!!! I need to buy your video course in the near future. Happy Happy Happy.

thank you for your replay your vids are great

I used a Cincinnati mill like that when I was in HS Machine Shop. Looks at some vintage pictures of the lathe, and they don't show a guard over the large gear. I do think it needs one though. Would like to have one that size to go with my 13x40. Good video, of a nice lathe.

MY God is so allsome. I just hade the same problem in Aug 2022. A LITTLE SOUTH BEND LATHE FOLLOWED ME HOME!

Mr. Pete222- I have this exact lathe (just purchased), also a good start getting into turning for most, could you please do more videos on this lathe, maintenance, rebuild, pro cons exc.

Thanks Sir! I am looking at one of these at the moment, and appreciate the info.

Mr. Pete, I believe your lathe is a 1949 model according to the database....nice find!

I have a very similar one that i'm about to start re-furbishing! Please make lots of vids on how to do it. I'm so scared i'll mess something up. Now you have the fate of two resting in your hands. :)

Hi Tubalcain . I'm a big fan. A couple years ago, inspired by your videos, I picked up a real nice 1947 9a .Only slight wear (ridge) is on the tailstock v way. I'm hoping you do a video/videos showing a renovation or restoration of this machine ? Also, it would be helpful if you could focus a little more on lathe wear and what to look for in terms of wear on the ways an how much is acceptable and when there is too much?...thanks for your good work.

Isn't that Carpenterville Illinois. It certainly looks like it. I lived in Elgin, Illinois just south of that community from 59'--2005. That entire area along the river was industrial and unfortunately like a lot of other similar communities has seem the end of an era. I have a SB 9' Toolroom model like that one you just got..great lathe.

Mr. Pete, thanks for sharing. I cannot begin to tell you just how much I appreciate you sharing your adventures and knowledge with us. These days most of my time is spent working my regular job with an occasional break taken in the work shop. At least I get to piddle around vicariously through your RU-vid channel. So, When will you release Tips #219? There seems to be a hole that needs to be filled there. :-) Laus Deo, Joe

Such a nice size lathe for a home hobby shop. Wish I could find one

Great item Mr. Pete. Got me looking for one now..

I'm exited to see you have a South Bend 9a again. Now could you possibly show an apron disassembly? I have a 9a with a 4 foot bed.

Funny i grew up in batavia kinda blew my mind seeing ya drive up river street.

I want to be the "fly" on the wall, when he tries to explain to the Mrs. Honey, it, it just followed me home. Its so cute, I think I'll keep it. That will fly like a lead balloon.

Model A's did not have a gear change chart on the gear cover, I have a 1947 with a 4 1/2 foot bed there great little lathes, mine was originally sold through the Star Machinery Co here in Seattle

Looks like a nice lathe and clean-up project. On my 12" Atlas, I'm thinking of disconnecting the motor from the lathe and mounting to my table to see if that helps with some of the vibration I see when it is running.

I certainly like my 9" South Bend. (My dad bought it new, back in the mid-1960s). You got a huge chuck with yours. The tool post was a lantern style, so you won't miss that (you will want a quick-change). If there were steady and/or follower rests, you might like to have them. If there was a taper attachment, you would REALLY like to have that. Beyond that there isn't much else in the way of desirable tooling. I take that back. SB had a really nice 3C collet rack that came with some lathes..You might like to have that. The SB part that I would really like to find is the cast iron bracket that mounts to the left back gear cover (it fits to the two tapped holes) and lets you mount a reversing drum switch in the perfect position. I'd pay $100 for that piece. I had one, but it has vanished at some point in the past. A skid-steer with forks (I have a BobCat) can be really useful for moving smaller machinery.

nice find.not too many old machine shops in our area of the east coast... how many more before mrs tubalcain puts her foot down?..LOL

I'm happy that the one I just got it is in a better shape than yours and with a lot of tooling even with a milling attachment and the best part very cheap

I have that same lathe although mine is a Sheraton brand. it's a direct copy made in Melbourne Australia. it's roughly 3 times as old as I am.

Did my apprenticeship on one of little short bed laths and it was a very good lath ! OOPS noticed your comment "last lath i will ever buy" Think not if one shows up at great price and good shape !

Hi Pete, Fantastic little lathe, i have exactly the same one in amazing condition, but i dont have the threading counter but i can cut threads easy without one ok, i noticed in the shop the lathe had the original bottle tool post.. but it was missing when you got it home? i'm from the UK and watched your videos and learn't so much from you, my lathe has made me a fortune with all the parts its made.. good luck & have fun with your restoration pete !!

That's like my 1929 south bend 9x20 but of course without the quick change gearbox

congratulations

While you can't have too many lathes it it were possible I think you would be approaching that number. Nice little find.

Gee it seems like I saw you unload a new one in the your garage a few days ago that looked very much like this one. Only the new one looked in much better shape.

Wow. I'd love to have one of those, and I'm not even a machinist! My wife would kill me though. Too many tools that aren't being used already. At least...for "her" projects. :) Nice find. Looking for a small used MIG as I type.

The old industrial sites along the Fox River (major transportation highway during the 1800's) have either been town down in Elgin, IL or have been beautifully rejuvenated in ("Old downtown") Carpentersville, IL done by Otto Engineering.

nice find.

Very nice

How about a video series on the cleanup. It would be nice to know what is needed to get these old gems up and running proper and what to lookout for.

My 9 inch SB model A came with a cast iron belt guard. No screen or mesh or any openings. Lathe dates to the 50's.

Nice find.

You shoukd have taken one of the larger lathes :) They look pretty fun too. Just out of curiousity, as they say that a lathe is the only machine that can replicate itself, 1) Have you thought of making a series on how to make a lathe from a lathe? 2) How would you cut a gear on a lathe?

Last one??? Oh, ah ha last one, yes................ What a beauty it is! :o) O,,,

"Last lathe". That's funny.

Nice little lathe Mr.Pete. .... But i can't help being saddened to see yet another machine shop closing :~( ..... Where very smart men with honest working hands are discarded & pushed out by smart-asses with computer screens, number$ & only grubby fingers! .... Will the U.S. ever be the industrial self sustaining Country it was only a short number of years ago? ... When a tool stamped : .....'' Made In U.S.A.'' ..... was a prized possession ! .... well i suppose that old little lathe is at least saved from the scrap man.

I'm glad you bought another lathe. I hope I can get one myself soon. Can you do a video and talk a bit about Hardinge lathes? I don't know much about them. Thanks

Ok, I'm jealous. Thanks, John

Nice , last one, sure, I believe you!