Gunsmithing South Bend 9" Lathe

[kumaichi]

I have an opportunity to purchase a nice South Bend 9" Lathe and was wondering if it would be good to do some basic "accurizing" my Remington 700 SPS rifle. My goal is to face the bolt, etc and get a nice barrel for it, which I would need to use the lathe to thread, chamber.

If this lathe wouldn't be suitable, is there a lathe most gunsmiths use?

Thanks for your help.

 

[rockn30809]

Re: South Bend 9" Lathe

It would be fine so long as it's not worn out. You need to check the condition of the chuck, runout on the spindle, straightness and wear on the bed. They are very good lathes.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: South Bend 9" Lathe

I worked many years on a 10" Flatbelt South Bend toolroom lathe. You can do a lot on a machine like that if you have the basic knowledge to pull from.

 

[specopsbrooklyn]

Re: South Bend 9" Lathe

good lathe i have one but the spindel bore is to small for doing heavey barrels the trew hole is only about 3/4 in

 

[STR]

Re: South Bend 9" Lathe

The 9 inch and lite 10 inch (10K) need to have the long bed on them to do barrel work because the thru hole is to small for your standard 1.200" diamiter barrels. If you can wait and look around, get a heavy 10 with the long bed. Make sure you know what to look for. They are great lathes, and yes I have one and love it. It does everything I need on rifles that my 13x40 colchester does, just not as fast. Good luck.