Hi Matt,

The 9" Southbend is a great lathe and $500 is good value. I paid $650 Australian for mine. It was sold here as a Southbend and also manufactured in Australia as a Hercus. There are lots of spare parts and accessories available on the internet. The play in the cross slide between the threaded spindle and the nut is not a problem. Most lathes have some backlash here but it does not affect the accuracy of the work because the load applied to the spindle is only on one side of the thread. (the normal practice is to back-off the cross slide and then advance it to the cutting position, eliminating any backlash errors).

If the 3 Jaw does not centre accurately, check if the jaws have been assembled in the correct positions. Each slot should be marked with a corresponding number of the jaw. If in the correct position and still off centre, the jaws can be ground to improve accuracy. Replacement chucks are available but you will have to find one with the same mounting thread, alternatively you can buy or make a threaded backplate and mount the chuck to the backplate. (I think that the Southbend uses the same spindle thread as a Myford). Different tool posts can be fitted to the T-slot on the cross slide. My lathe only has a single T-slot on the cross slide but an optional cross slide with multiple slots was originally available. My lathe only has imperial gears but can cut metric threads with the aid of a 127 tooth gear.

Paul.

The way to check lead screw play is to compare it with an entire turn of it. Even a new lathe will have some. Say it's 1/2 a turn play this more or less means 1/2 the thread pitch is worn away mostly in the nut. Would 1/2 a turn be a problem – not really just not nice. Past that I would feel that it's time to replace the nut.

I would be more concerned about play that can't be taken out of the headstock bearings. Some of them are a plain steel spindle running directly in cast iron and have pinch bolts – tightened too much the castings crack. If they have been well maintained = oil they can last a long time.

My Boxford is more or less a copy of a Southbend but uses taper roller headstock. One good thing is how long the saddle is. That goes a long way towards minimising bed wear but again regular oiling helps.

John

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Nice

Once you've got it safely delivered give him a big hug

There is a yahoo Southbend and also a Boxford group. All very helpful and can be a good source for parts that need replacing. The Boxford one is quieter than it used to be but plenty chime in when some one asks a question. There is also plenty of info in the files section of the Boxford one. Southbend is likely to be the same.

I sort of get tempted to change at time and then think of previous experiences trying to sort them out and one trip into a new chinese lathe. Ok can be done but will it be a good lathe with things as they should be. No in many cases without going larger so pointless really. Mind you I like tinkering and would like another small lathe to go with it. Not much luck finding a particular model so far though.

John

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my model c is 1 and 1/2" x 8 tpi the myfords are 1 and 1/8" x12 tpi.

just finished wiring up inverter for mine as came without motor and got given nearly new 1hp dual voltage 3 phase motor.

What you really want is a SB9 A model, well worth the wait. Dave