Ever since last April, at the NEO CubFest, when Randall suggested I get a small metal lathe, I've been searching once or twice a week on Cr*igslist and online, but most seemed far more than I wanted to pay.
So I showed up in the mud this morning and spied (3) metal lathes. Only one appeared to be in working condition. Usually, an auctioneer NEVER auctions off what I'm interested in until late in the "show". Not so this morning. The very first thing sold was this lathe. It's a South Bend 9B with a 4'-0" bed. It has a 3-jaw chuck mounted, but came with:
- 4-jaw chuck
- steady rest
- faceplate
- box of cutters
- extra arbor
- Jacobs drill chuck
As soon as I won the bid, I asked myself, "How are you going to get this out of here with all this mud?!!" So happened that the auctioneer had a Bobcat with lifting forks and set it upright in the bed of the truck. Used every ratcheting strap in the truck to get it secured, then headed home. Out on US 50 Hwy (4-lane), I used my flashers and drove about 30 mph the whole way home (about 5 miles). Got it home safely, disassembled most it and got it slid out of the truck and set up in the barn. Now the fun begins to complete the disassembly, clean, paint and put it back together. I was also pleased that the motor and reversing switch work as well.
And price you may ask. Well, it came home with me for way less than a Benjamin.