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Military Firearm Restoration Corner

Spider On A 13" Sb Lathe?


tinkerfive

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I finally took the leap and bought a lathe after many close calls.

 

She will be a 13" South Bend.

 

I don't suppose that the South Bend folks ever considered a spider.

It doesn't look as if there is more than 1/4" of the spindle projecting to the left of the bearing.

 

Please bear in mind that this will be my first lathe and all I really know is what I've read from most

of your posts.

 

I suppose that one might fab a sleeve to fit over that 1/4" and use set screws.

I also suppose that there is a more elegant solution.

 

Please be kind.

 

Tinker

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Fit the sleeve to the inside. Headless set screws to hold it in place. I made one for my old SB which was really OLD. Often, on older lathes, to use a spider you must take off the gear cover. Be careful when running without it and clean up and chips and debris that may get on the gears.

 

I've also done it on a lathe which like yours only allowed for about 1/4" purchase on the spindle. Make the sleeve a tight fit and you should be fine. Remember, you really aren't supporting any weight, just keeping things from flopping around or pushing back through teh spindle when you make a cut.

 

Just be careful, you'll end up spending all your time in the shop really getting things done now, lol.

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As Mike says, there will likely be more flat spindle surface to work with once you open the upper gear door. My 13" SB has at least an inch of flat followed by a threaded section. I have a spider that fits over that unthreaded portion, but I have to tell you that I have never used it! I DO use the collet closer and 5C collets and also the steady rest for threading and chambering.

 

Good luck with your lathe. I have to say that good used American iron trumps new Chinese machines for about the same money. On the other hand, a worn out machine can be a money pit. I got a good one, and I can tell you that it is wonderful to run compared to the Victors, Sharps, and even the Harrisons that we have at the Gunsmithing school.

 

Clemson

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Congrats T5. A lathe is a huge thing to have for all kinds of stuff. You're pretty aware of that already. Another gun nut helps with the economy.

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Z1r beat me to it.

 

Turn the spider to fit the inside of the spindle.

 

I think you will find that the low back gear speed of the SB will help you thread barrels.

 

Some people frown on old SB lathes but they are proven and dependable. Parts can sometimes be a little pricy and sometimes hard to find but the 13” lathe is common and parts should be available be for a long time.

 

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