My Lil' Mule

I took clips from the videos that I recorded while restoring this 13″ South Bend Lathe built in 1941 and strung them together to show an example of the whole process. I had a lot of fun doing this restoration. There were some frustrating moments, but it feels good to have to “done.” Of course, for me, it’ll never really be done. There is more I could do to improve the lathe, such as having the ways ground and then scraping the saddle, but those things will have to wait. On to other projects!

Full videos:
Part 1 – Unloading https://youtu.be/yy-pogxmvws
Part 2 – Tailstock https://youtu.be/iw6OCAe_AEU
Part 3 – Three Jaw Chuck https://youtu.be/PzQa8ohTpFk
Part 4 – Thread Chasing Dial https://youtu.be/7gDcYqL_b_o
Part 5 – Compound Disassembly https://youtu.be/Qj_ulUO5c44
Part 6 – Cross Slide Disassembly https://youtu.be/pB4AeCUQwfk
Part 7 – Gear Train Disassembly https://youtu.be/HbZFitKRB40
Part 8 – Gear Box Disassembly https://youtu.be/Zqp8GGB4LUg
Part 9 – Apron Disassembly https://youtu.be/CyhednhJy0Y
Part 10 – Headstock Disassembly https://youtu.be/ly2VoyIfQr8
Part 11 – Bed, Legs, Motor and Chip Pan Disassembly https://youtu.be/MEXbe5jQBU0
Part 12 – Motor and Bed Assembly https://youtu.be/dmVBvkL6qT4
Part 13 – Saddle, Cross Slide and Compound Assembly https://youtu.be/HhUEEd_-g9M
Part 14 – Gear Box Assembly https://youtu.be/IAxK-WCSrOw
Part 15 – Headstock Assembly https://youtu.be/UREdBLno4ac
Part 16 – Apron Assembly https://youtu.be/leW-H07fvSQ
Part 17 – Motor Wiring https://youtu.be/1wNQQliJviI
Part 18 – Primary Gear Train https://youtu.be/7PwuKs95lsY

I used Fusion 360 and my 3D printer to make a bunch of these little wedges that my quick change tool holders can set in, keeping them organized on a shelf above the lathe.

The primary gear train on my 1941 South Bend lathe makes a lot of noise. I was hoping that replacing the spindle gear would have helped, but the results were disappointing. It may even be worse than before. I decided my next step would be to replace the sliding gear and its shaft. It is obvious the shaft is bad (I had no idea just how bad!) and the teeth on a couple of the gears have worn to a point. In this video, I take apart the gear bracket and replace some parts. Did it make a difference?

The primary gear train on my 1941 South Bend lathe makes a lot of noise. I believe the biggest culprit is the sliding gear, but the spindle gear is also very worn. I can’t find an exact replacement, but found something that is the correct tooth count, diametral pitch, pressure angle and diameter. But, it’s not as thick (1/2″ vs 11/16″) and has a smaller bore at .750″ and I need 1.437″. So I decide to modify the new gear to see if it helps with the noise.