South Bend 15in /11ft

[Mat Phelps]

I rescued an old (1920ish) 15 in South Bend lathe ser # 25096 and am in the process of rebuilding it, so far all the major parts have been sandblasted bed and legs painted and the wear in the saddle ways is being repaired using a product called Balzona. But I am looking for a source for the gears, they are 14 pitch and range from 32 - 128 teeth are there any sources out there?

[Peter]

I was about to suggest Boston Gear or McMaster Carr, then I relaize this is the infamous 14 pitch.

I heard some guys had to cut thier own. They turn up used, 'if' you can wait it out. I have seen these with old Reed lathes from time to time. The you might pay few hundred for a whole machine just to get the gears. Not common though, just a common problem.

Is there any chance you could work with 12 pitch?

[aametalmaster]

I have the same lathe with the same problem, no change gears. I am working on finding a suitable set too. Yours is a 1921 and mine is a 1919. Have any pics???...Bob
Some good info:
http://www.wswells.com/serial_number.html

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...lathes-25.html

[K D Redd]

Do either of you guys needing gear know anyone with a newer Water Jet Machine. A local guy has a New, less than 6 months old, Water Jet. In the software in the controller is the ability to cut spur gears. I do not know if it will do 14 D.P. but this might be a cheaper alternative.
If you would be interested in contacting them I cansupply contact info.
Kent

[aametalmaster]

Thanks KD, I will know more when i check my gears for the pitch with a gage. I did find a supply of them last night. I know of a guy in France with the same lathe and all the gears...Bob

[Mat Phelps]

All, interesting info, the 14 p gearing might slow the project up a bit, this might be the excuse I need to find the tooling to cut my own gears but I think the old beast is worth bringing back to life

[aametalmaster]

I can cut the gears if i get a set to copy from i will let you know. Looks like you have a project going on...Bob

[K D Redd]

aametalmaster,

You say you can cut the gears if you can find a set to copy. All you need to know is the tooth count of the needed gears, the thickness of the gear and what the center hub of the gear needs to be. With the tooth count you can calculate the gear blanks diameter. Is the presure angle of the gearing 14 1/2 degree or is it 20 degrees? From MSC the price of gear cutters for 14 D.P. 14 1/2 degree pressure angle is $35.06. There are eight cutters needed to cut the whole gear series from a nine or ten tooth gear to a rack. That is about $280.00 for the gear cutters for the 14 1/2 degree gears. The cutters for the 20 degree pressure angle are priced at $70.13 for a cost of $561.00 for all eight cutters. I think one needs to check into the water jet machine I spoke of. I think it may be a more economical route.

Kent

[aametalmaster]

I am going to do it the old fashion way with my shaper. My buddy has a waterjet in the shop i used to work at and it sure is nice...Bob

[wayne m.]

You guys might try Mining Machine Parts in Boonville Indiana need to talk to a fellow named Wayne Anderson Phone # 812-897-1256 they run a fellows gear shaper and can do internal splines internal/external gears and splines at a very reasonable price especially if you guys team up and order more than one gear like maybe two sets or so. They also cut big gears but however they do not cut spiral or bevel tooth gears. They also have another business called www.warricktubing.com Good luck!!!! W. M.