1950 South bend lathe restoration.

[nautilus29]

A couple of years ago my dad and I were able to pick up a 1950 south bend 9a lathe. It was in really good shape for it's age, but at the time I didn't have room for it. It sat under a tarp in my dad's woodworking shop collecting dust literally. I finally have the room for it, but I figured before I set it up I might as well go through it and replace the felt wicks.

Well in the process of cleaning it up for that I accidentally stripped off the paint on the apron, and now I guess it's getting a full repaint as well.

Here are some pictures of the process.

 

[GreenTwin]

I have a scan of the Southbend guide "How to Use a Lathe" if anybody needs that.

I started learning on an old Southbend that was at my dad's lumber mill, and I recall it was a very solid machine.

Restoration looks great.

Pat J

 

[gartof]

A couple of years ago my dad and I were able to pick up a 1950 south bend 9a lathe. It was in really good shape for it's age, but at the time I didn't have room for it. It sat under a tarp in my dad's woodworking shop collecting dust literally. I finally have the room for it, but I figured before I set it up I might as well go through it and replace the felt wicks.

Well in the process of cleaning it up for that I accidentally stripped off the paint on the apron, and now I guess it's getting a full repaint as well.

Here are some pictures of the process.

My lathe is a 9c they are great teaching tool. I just recently replaced the belt with a serpentine (automotive alternator) boy did the lack belt slip change things, I also made a er32 collet chunk that threads onto the spindle.

 

[packrat]

Nice lathe, GreenTwin I found a copy of "How to Use a Lathe" at a yard sale a long time ago, and it started me on a path towards
machining and South Bend lathes...

 

[nautilus29]

I've been wanting to replace the belt myself. I saw some glue together belts online, but they are pretty pricey. That sounds like a good alternative!

I bought a new cross slide nut as the old one had a lot of play in it. I think I figured out a way to make an antibacklash mechanism utilizing the old nut, so I'll see how that goes.

 

[Poppy Ott]

I've been wanting to replace the belt myself. I saw some glue together belts online, but they are pretty pricey. That sounds like a good alternative!

I bought a new cross slide nut as the old one had a lot of play in it. I think I figured out a way to make an antibacklash mechanism utilizing the old nut, so I'll see how that goes.

I have a 10” Logan lathe that uses a flat belt. When I got it (about thirty years ago) the belt was missing. I bought the stapling tool to make replacement belts and, what I thought was, a decent supply of belting and staples. After a couple of years of replacing belts I switched to a 1” wide PolyV belt. Bought three of them because I didn’t know how long it would last. The stapling tool is long gone and the two spare belts are still waiting to be needed. The disadvantage of the PolyV is you have to disassemble the countershaft and remove the spindle to put the belt on, but as you probably will only ever have to do that one time it is a minor point.

 

[MMER1116]

I have a 10” Logan lathe that uses a flat belt. When I got it (about thirty years ago) the belt was missing. I bought the stapling tool to make replacement belts and, what I thought was, a decent supply of belting and staples. After a couple of years of replacing belts I switched to a 1” wide PolyV belt. Bought three of them because I didn’t know how long it would last. The stapling tool is long gone and the two spare belts are still waiting to be needed. The disadvantage of the PolyV is you have to disassemble the countershaft and remove the spindle to put the belt on, but as you probably will only ever have to do that one time it is a minor point.

I too have a 10" Logan and replaced the leather belt with a poly. Are you running yours on the rib side or flat side? I flipped mine over and am running on the flat side. Better grip with less tension and very quiet.

 

[gartof]

I too have a 10" Logan and replaced the leather belt with a poly. Are you running yours on the rib side or flat side? I flipped mine over and am running on the flat side. Better grip with less tension and very quiet.

I have been running my 9inch on the rib side has lots of traction, but but reference is the plastic belt with no traction.

 

[SmithDoor]

A couple of years ago my dad and I were able to pick up a 1950 south bend 9a lathe. It was in really good shape for it's age, but at the time I didn't have room for it. It sat under a tarp in my dad's woodworking shop collecting dust literally. I finally have the room for it, but I figured before I set it up I might as well go through it and replace the felt wicks.

Well in the process of cleaning it up for that I accidentally stripped off the paint on the apron, and now I guess it's getting a full repaint as well.

Here are some pictures of the process.

Looking great.
I have 9" to made in 1951.
Rebuilt in 2004 .
It is a great hobby

Dave

 

[nautilus29]

I ended up paying grizzly for the original serial card. It was originally shipped to Reynolds machinery company in Cleveland Ohio back on 5\31\1950

 

[danallen]

Can someone provide a link or more detailed description of the belt you speak of. I have a 9a with a flat belt I would like to upgrade. Thanks

 

[nautilus29]

Has anyone tried those belts that link together? Something like this: Vibration-Free Link Belt.

 

[gartof]

Has anyone tried those belts that link together? Something like this: Vibration-Free Link Belt.

I use one on my table saw but don't see how they would make a flat belt.
Gary

 

[gartof]

Can someone provide a link or more detailed description of the belt you speak of. I have a 9a with a flat belt I would like to upgrade. Thanks

The one I bought is 7PK1272 it is just under 1 inch wide. I measured the existing belt and went to NAPA and found a length that was close. Please don't use the length I chose without checking because my motor installation is not the standard.
Gary

 

[nautilus29]

The one I bought is 7PK1272 it is just under 1 inch wide. I measured the existing belt and went to NAPA and found a length that was close. Please don't use the length I chose without checking because my motor installation is not the standard.
Gary

Did you have to take your spindle apart to put that on? I've been trying to stay away from that

 

[gartof]

Did you have to take your spindle apart to put that on? I've been trying to stay away from that

Yes took apart the spindle, not really that big a deal. Used it as a opportunity to clean the oil wells and the thrust bearing. Runs like a champ and is great to have no more slipping belt.
Gary

 

[nautilus29]

Yes took apart the spindle, not really that big a deal. Used it as a opportunity to clean the oil wells and the thrust bearing. Runs like a champ and is great to have no more slipping belt.
Gary

Did yours have the bronze bushings in it?

 

[gartof]

Did yours have the bronze bushings in it?

No cast iron running in cast iron. Looked amazing.

 

[radial1951]

Did yours have the bronze bushings in it?

Hi Nautilus29. The SB 9" does not have bronze spindle bearings. Never has AFAIK. The hardened and micro-finished spindle runs in the honed cast iron bores of the headstock casting. If the felt wicks are clean and the oil is kept up, it will be perfect for at least a couple of lifetimes! I have my father's 9A that he bought new in1948 and the spindle and bearings are perfect even after using it for production work with a Hercus turret attachment for many years until the 1970s. Which means the carriage, tailstock and bed were hardly used so they are also perfect. Mine has the factory 4-step B-section V-belt which I am about to replace with a Fenner PowerTwist (Red) B17 (from ohioblademan on eBay) mainly for the smooth and quiet running compared to a standard V-belt. Don't be afraid to take the spindle out, it's easy, just get the overhaul book with the Ilion felt kit and follow the instructions. Good time to replace the spindle bearing felts. Use a nail or piece of wire to hold the felts down while you re-fit the spindle. And while you're at it, fit double needle thrust bearings too. With all that and the poly-V belt you will never need to take the spindle out again. Enjoy your perfect bench lathe!

 

[Festus]

Has anyone tried those belts that link together? Something like this: Vibration-Free Link Belt.

Yes, I am using 2 A width belts tied together with 50# braided fishing line. It has been on there for about 8 months of fairly heavy use and so far so good. I have been very happy with it. I bought the belts at Harbor Freight.