http://comoxvalley.en.craigslist.ca/tls/1620948721.html

Am I right to be cautious about the "restoration"?

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

"Michael Koblic" wrote in news:hmcg0o025h4
@news7.newsguy.com:

http://comoxvalley.en.craigslist.ca/tls/1620948721.html


The trailer deck is completely wet under the lathe. Nice of them to
uncover it in a rain shower to take a picture. That level of care speaks
towards the quality of the 'restoration'. Any time I see a completely
repainted machine I assume it had the 5 gallon rebuild.... as in painted
only. Is the grass that green on the island this time of year?
Anyway I am no southbend expert but it looks like the surfaces that should
have paint are painted and those that shouldn't have paint are not painted
so the paintjob seems appropriate, just a little to light a shade IMHO.

"Michael Koblic" wrote:

http://comoxvalley.en.craigslist.ca/tls/1620948721.html

Am I right to be cautious about the "restoration"?


A picture of paint vs a picture of machine, the ways near spindle are clues.

I'd arrange to see it in person before bidding.

I bid on a lathe once. I negotiated an agreement that the transfer of cash and sealing
the deal was on acceptance at his place of business. I also brought my uncle with me as a
second judge. This was an Ebay purchase.

Wes

"Charles U Farley" wrote in message
...
"Michael Koblic" wrote in news:hmcg0o025h4
@news7.newsguy.com:

http://comoxvalley.en.craigslist.ca/tls/1620948721.html


The trailer deck is completely wet under the lathe. Nice of them to
uncover it in a rain shower to take a picture. That level of care speaks
towards the quality of the 'restoration'. Any time I see a completely
repainted machine I assume it had the 5 gallon rebuild.... as in painted
only. Is the grass that green on the island this time of year?
Anyway I am no southbend expert but it looks like the surfaces that should
have paint are painted and those that shouldn't have paint are not painted
so the paintjob seems appropriate, just a little to light a shade IMHO.

I think the picture was taken some time ago. The lathe is now inside a
workshop. I did not buy because:

1) There was no way to assess the way wear. Looking at them they were
dinged++
2) The chuck has never been taken off. No way of assessing quality. Only one
set of jaws. Spindle nose unknown.
3) No info as to tapers in head/tailstock
4) Motor not attached and no means to do so easily - some work required in
this respect.
5) No way to determine the status of spindle bearings.
6) No change gears
7) No way to assess tailstock alignment.

I think the guy was on the level. He bought it as a restoration project
which got abandoned half-way because of many other jobs. He had a massive
(by my standards) workshop in an out-building of a private dwelling,
including a total of *four* lathes (this one was the smallest), a big
Bridgeport and a "little" RF40 as well as a complete smithy including a
power hammer.

I am sure that somebody with experience would have been able to get around
the issues and come to agreement on a good price and then restore the lathe
to some sort of functioning level. Not me, sadly. The wait continues...

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

BTW grass is green here all year round except in my yard where it is
replaced by moss.