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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    135

    Default how to value a lathe? South bend 13B

    G'Day,

    "I hear you collect old busted machines and fix them up. I have an old lathe which you can make an offer on. I don't know what it's worth, so can you make a fair offer and we'll see from there"
    That's what I got told (roughly) by a guy offering me a chance at a southbend 13B lathe (QC gearbox, flat belt pulley, 3J chuck, very little else with it)

    I am in the process of identifying what it should have, and what is missing, plus determining what the missing bits would cost.
    I am hoping someone can point me to some authoritative guides on realistic price ranges so I can use those, plus it's condition, to make a fair offer.

    I figure the low range is based on scrap metal value, but there aren't too many I can find in the listings to see what they go for, or have gone for...

    I can send photos soon, but any pointers to values will be appreciated.

    thanks,
    Des

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Towradgi
    Posts
    95

    Default

    Des, I'm only a woodturner, but a lathe is a lathe for the basics. Straight and true ways, headstock and tailstock line up. Free spinning spindles indicate the bearings are more than likely to be ok. Motor has to work and supply momentum to the headstock spindle.
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Australia east coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by desbromilow View Post
    I am hoping someone can point me to some authoritative guides on realistic price ranges so I can use those, plus it's condition, to make a fair offer.
    No such thing as an authoritative guide. Only demand determines price.

    If you're a collector who has warm fuzzy moments over brand names, you'll pay for a total POS as long as it's got the correct label.

    If you want to cut metal then design, condition and tooling is everything you need to know to establish value to you.

    I've never been impressed with the design of South Bend lathes, FWIW.

    Somewhere between $100 and $2000 would be my guesstimate.

    PDW

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,410

    Default

    I do not think the SB13 is very common in Australia. You may have more luck at finding out what it may be worth in the USA, and what spares/accessories would cost over there. I fear postage may be the deal killer. Try this:
    http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/

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