Source for old South Bend lathe parts

HiBC · August 13, 2012, 08:28 AM

The lathe I have access to is a circa 1941 South Bend heavy 10 in x36 Navy Signal Corps lathe.

The threading half nuts have worn.

I did some searching and found Grizzly tools is handling the spare parts for old South Bend lathes.

I was able to buy a new,original set of half nuts from them.

You must have the serial number from your machine before you call them.

Willie Sutton · August 13, 2012, 09:40 AM

Have you recieved the parts yet, and if so, how are they? Good to know that they are support them, with the following caveat:

I'd be a bit leery of Grizzly parts for them. These old lathes are getting worn out, but good parts still exist. I hate to say it, but Ebay has become the place where parts are found. There is a pretty vibrant support and parts industry for these without buying Chinese stuff. But what works, work. Thanks for passing this on.

That Heavy 10 is a great machine.

Willie (South Bend Lathe enthusiast: Mine is a 1942 9" Model C):

.

wyop · August 13, 2012, 12:37 PM

One of the places that sources some parts for South Bend lathes is Miller Machine and Fabrication:

http://www.millermachineandfabricati.../products.html

I've dealt with them before and was very well satisfied. If you need something you don't see in his product list, call and ask anyway - he might be able to make it.

BTW - on the South Bend lathes, the #1 thing to make sure you maintain is your lubrication. The reason why things like the half nuts wear out is that the past owner(s) of the machine didn't lube or clean off the lead screw. Way oil would be good lube on the feed screw, because way oil has tackifiers to keep the oil on the surface.

HiBC · August 13, 2012, 10:27 PM

I first contacted South Bend directly.They referred me to Grizzly.Grizzly is the distributor for South Bend.These are NOS South Bend parts(that I got).

Understand,when you give them your serial number,each of these old lathes has still the original build card attached to that SN.They pull the original build card for your lathe.

You can buy a copy of it.

South Bend is still making machines.They are in the Grizzly catalogue.

FWIW,Grizzly sells Bartlein barrels,some chambering reamers,etc.

One very rare thing I did find.A South Bend heavy 14 by 30 in lathe that is not a gap bed!!.Pricey...from Grizzly,15k.
Not promoting Grizzly,just sharing info.

If you search "South Bend lathe parts "or "Vintage South Bend Lathe parts",you will find the same trail I did.

Thank you for the other sources.

BillM · August 13, 2012, 10:50 PM

14 1/2 x 72 here, mfg 11/24/48. Old South Bends are like old Harley's,
if they aren't dripping oil on the floor you aren't lubing them right.

Thought a few times about upgrading to something with a bit more
headstock bore, but the day my lathe rolled off the line is also
the exact day my parents got married---haven't forgotten their
anniversary since I bought the lathe.

Willie Sutton · August 13, 2012, 10:59 PM

"I first contacted South Bend directly.They referred me to Grizzly.Grizzly is the distributor for South Bend.These are NOS South Bend parts(that I got)."

That's excellent news, thanks for sharing. The build sheet for the old lathes would be an interesting thing to have just for posterity as well. Nicely done!

Willie

.

August 13, 2012, 08:28 AM	#1
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Source for old South Bend lathe parts The lathe I have access to is a circa 1941 South Bend heavy 10 in x36 Navy Signal Corps lathe. The threading half nuts have worn. I did some searching and found Grizzly tools is handling the spare parts for old South Bend lathes. I was able to buy a new,original set of half nuts from them. You must have the serial number from your machine before you call them.

August 13, 2012, 09:40 AM	#2
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Have you recieved the parts yet, and if so, how are they? Good to know that they are support them, with the following caveat: I'd be a bit leery of Grizzly parts for them. These old lathes are getting worn out, but good parts still exist. I hate to say it, but Ebay has become the place where parts are found. There is a pretty vibrant support and parts industry for these without buying Chinese stuff. But what works, work. Thanks for passing this on. That Heavy 10 is a great machine. Willie (South Bend Lathe enthusiast: Mine is a 1942 9" Model C): .

August 13, 2012, 12:37 PM	#3
wyop Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2012 Location: Wonderful, Windy Wyoming Posts: 133	One of the places that sources some parts for South Bend lathes is Miller Machine and Fabrication: http://www.millermachineandfabricati.../products.html I've dealt with them before and was very well satisfied. If you need something you don't see in his product list, call and ask anyway - he might be able to make it. BTW - on the South Bend lathes, the #1 thing to make sure you maintain is your lubrication. The reason why things like the half nuts wear out is that the past owner(s) of the machine didn't lube or clean off the lead screw. Way oil would be good lube on the feed screw, because way oil has tackifiers to keep the oil on the surface.

August 13, 2012, 10:27 PM	#4
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	I first contacted South Bend directly.They referred me to Grizzly.Grizzly is the distributor for South Bend.These are NOS South Bend parts(that I got). Understand,when you give them your serial number,each of these old lathes has still the original build card attached to that SN.They pull the original build card for your lathe. You can buy a copy of it. South Bend is still making machines.They are in the Grizzly catalogue. FWIW,Grizzly sells Bartlein barrels,some chambering reamers,etc. One very rare thing I did find.A South Bend heavy 14 by 30 in lathe that is not a gap bed!!.Pricey...from Grizzly,15k. Not promoting Grizzly,just sharing info. If you search "South Bend lathe parts "or "Vintage South Bend Lathe parts",you will find the same trail I did. Thank you for the other sources.

August 13, 2012, 10:50 PM	#5
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	14 1/2 x 72 here, mfg 11/24/48. Old South Bends are like old Harley's, if they aren't dripping oil on the floor you aren't lubing them right. Thought a few times about upgrading to something with a bit more headstock bore, but the day my lathe rolled off the line is also the exact day my parents got married---haven't forgotten their anniversary since I bought the lathe.

August 13, 2012, 10:59 PM	#6
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	"I first contacted South Bend directly.They referred me to Grizzly.Grizzly is the distributor for South Bend.These are NOS South Bend parts(that I got)." That's excellent news, thanks for sharing. The build sheet for the old lathes would be an interesting thing to have just for posterity as well. Nicely done! Willie .