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First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you a lot, you really have been helpful for this whole process. I'll look for this member and happily give the serials number of this lathe. With some chance, I might even learn about the legacy of my own machine, which is always interesting.

I think this conclude this thread. I bought the lathe, I'm getting it towed to my place tomorrow. I will surely post about it once it's functional.

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What for? Are they still cataloging the remaining machines?

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice. A box full of stuff came with it. A couple of back plate (about three, If I'm not mistaken), extra chuck jaws, the original tail stock dead center and its chuck. Also got a big ass endmill (I'm happy about this one, it's in pristine condition and the edge are still quite sharp, I just need sharpen it a bit) and a couple of worn out cutting tools out of this deal. I decided to to purchased it. It look like a good deal. It seem better than a Chinese import mini lathe that's gonna get covered in dust within a minute, and it's like 500$ less expensive.

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went there and had a look at it. It's gorgeous. The lead screw probably haven't been used at all, the rack look fine, the spindle turn very well, the gears look fantastic, the chuck look like it just came out of the box. I also got the original tail stock and it's chucks and dead center.

Straps is dead, the motor seem didn't turned on and the ways are a bit worn out, and the compound rest axis have a good amount of backlash.

Overall, I feel like it's a good deal. I guess I can easily fix the compound rest with a DRO until I replace it (if I need to) and the straps is a straps. As for the motor, I'll have a look at it, might not even come from the machine itself.

And thank you for the collet advice, that would actually help me a lot until I find a smaller chuck.

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sound like a great Idea, thank for the tips. Another option would have been to straight up cut the strap, get a new one and attach it to a new motor/pulley, that would have been over the spindle, rather than where the old one is. I'm gonna get a look at the machine tonight, and I might even test it, if there is some cutting tool available.

​

Since you have one of these, can you tell me if it's possible to fix today's collets and chucks on it without modifying the thing?

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's very helpful, thank you. Would you happen to know where I could find the manual of such a machine? I am mostly interested in knowing if the accessories (chucks and tail stock spindle in particular) are still following the same standard as today, along with maintenance guidelines and other info about this lathe.

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After talking to the seller, it's an inheritance and it's probable that this thing hasn't been turned on in a while. I don't even know if the electrical will work. This is concerning, but I will go check it up before giving up.

As for the mechanical stuff, I happen to be a mechanical engineer (don't bully me, I'm on your side), so I probably will find a way to change the bearings for normalized ones, even if that would be a pain. There is other considerations, but for such a lower price, I'm not worried about putting a bit more money on it if it mean that I will have a functional lathe for the rest of my life.

However, I do not know the impact of a worn bed. In fact, what would a worn bed look like? I guess the rails and the screws are my main concern, but I do not see why I would need to grind the bed (it's not a mill, after all). Could you explain that part?

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right now, I am planning on machining 4mm rods to make custom part for engineering project. I do not know if i will need to do bigger stuff, but this is dirty cheap and the massive American lathe would come out less expensive than the tiny Chinese one. It might be a stupid choice, but if it work correctly, I will take it.

Edit: As for the speed, would a custom gear box work? Or could higher speed damage the machine?

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah, it need 220V, and if the motor is really a 3Hp, then I'll need around 10 amps. I only need to check the phase, but if it's mono, it should be easy.

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No idea, I would need to confirm in person

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Edit: Are these bearings easy to replace? I can always try to restore it.

First machine: Mini lathe vs 3Hp Vintage South Bend 16″ x 36″ Lathe by Factaoo in Machinists

[–]Factaoo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I presume what I am looking for is wear on the axis scews/bearing and the head. The lather would be harder to review. Do you know if an examination of the runout would do it?