Is this lathe worth $500?

[Oak]

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/tool-lathe...4-e67c568a4cae

[clay1811/44c]

Not sure. When I look at the pictures it's almost like two different lathes. I see two different tailstocks for sure. That is simple straight forward lathe no bells and whistles. Kind of like a 1806 but hold out for a 1872. Go to a website Practical Machinist, they have Southbend section. I have a 1922 Southbend older than the one you're looking at, but just as simple.

[DieselDoctor]

That would be an easy $1000 up here in my area of NY. Make sure it is single phase, and get as much tooling with it as you can, The tooling for a lathe is like attachments for a Cub. The more there is the better the value.

[Oak]

I noticed it looks like 2 different machines also from the pics. It also looks like it's a collet lathe. Would it be expensive or hard to put a chuck on it? I've been looking for a year or 2 now for a lathe so it would be my first.

I'll check that site out Clay and check the motor Doc.

[J-Mech]

I agree with Doc. I think it's an easy $1000 lathe. That one though, looks like it may need some attention. I'd give $500 for it. South Bend are one of the best. I don't think it's a collet lathe, Todd. I think the chuck is just off of it. I do agree that the last pic isn't the same machine, but I think it's the same model. Sometimes people do that crap. Throw in a pic of the same model as they're selling, but not the same machine.

I don't know how "letgo" works. If you can go look at it, I would before buying. Buying a machine tool is kind of like buying a car, or a piece of equipment. You really need to go look it over before purchasing.

Good luck on it Todd!!

Disclaimer: I am not a machinist. I do own a lathe. My advice is based on a very limited knowledge of machine tools.

[john hall]

Go look at it in person is my advice. Have the owner cut some metal.
Those things are an antique so not many current machinist know much about them. I don't know about South Bend, but am pretty sure Atlas/Craftsman dominated the market on those 60 years ago. I think my little lathe is an Atlas, but aren't sure. I rarely use it, just too small for most of what I do at home--could be my patience level. See if it has poured babbit bearings on the spindle or ball/tapered bearings. I had one once with the babbit bearings. a loose spindle is a BAD thing on a lathe. I have no idea why the tailstock is mounted backwards---most will only go on one way. That machine probably should come with a box of change gears to use for threading, probably to get varying feed rates as well. There are still aftermarket dealers in parts for teh old table top lathes. Accesories ain't gonna be cheap. By the way that is a rocker toolpost, not a quick change. If the lathe is all there and works as it should, it should be worth the asking price assuming you realize it is not modern and don't expect it to be. Being small its easy to move--as opposed to a 4000 lb macine--most of us don't have a forklift at home. Oh yeah, see what style collett it uses--5C is pretty much the most common and cheapest.

[Terry C]

Well look at it this way: Pile of crap HF little lathe is like 550. No matter what that one is at least twice that good. There is a south bend following so I would guess the parts are around. As mentioned earlier check the spindle bearings as it looks to have plain bearings, going by the two caps on the headstock.
It's a home shop lathe so don't ask a lot of metal removal from it.

[OldSkull]

Todd open the link I share here and read carefully. This little look clean but it can be a TURD!
http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html
I have ton's of documents about South Band lathe and few DVD (AGI Professional Machine Shop Course included) I can share to help you, PM me when your ready.

[Jeff in Pa]

South Bend makes a good lathe, much sturdier than an Altas / Craftsman lathe.

The piece in the spindle tube would be for a collet. Not familiar with SB but if could be a size other than 5C ( still available but lower amounts on the market make for higher prices )

If it's free ( as in moves easily ) and runs, then $500 is a good price. That light rust can be removed easily with a razor blade. As stated earlier, the more tooling, the better the deal.

Just so you know, "Hobby Size" machines bring big money compared to true industrial machines. Not everyone has the room or a way to move a multi ton machine but a 200 to 500 pound lathe or mill can be disassembled to put almost anywhere. That's why some good quality small machines bring big bucks.

Jeff

[Billy-O]

Just beware the machine could have electrical issues. In the pictures provided, I notice the cover removed from the motor control switch and maybe I see some dangling wires. Other than that......SB makes a good lathe worth checking out!