WTB Southbend Heavy 10

[akajun]

looking to buy an old style heavy 10, 24 or 48' bed in good condition.
would like a taper attachment, steady, and follower rest as well if possible.
let me know what you have or any leads
thanks

 

[LVLAaron]

Check facebook marketplace, louisville KY- Saw a beautiful 10 recently.

 

[LVLAaron]

 

[akajun]

That’s a scammer
Same pic pops up various places around the country

 

[Aero]

SELLING Thread '1980 South Bend Heavy 10 10L - $6,500.00'

Jun 19, 2025

Heavy 10 with very little use for sale. If you are looking for a Heavy 10 with very little use/wear this is your chance. I looked for one for several years and came across this one finally. I wanted an American made lathe with very little use and wear to keep for a second lathe but ended up getting a mill and don't have the room for both.... My plan was to have it painted to look like brand new but plans changed. I painted the bed an pulley cover only myself and stopped. The lathe comes with axa style tool post, 4 jaw chuck, extra head stock base, mt2 to Jt33 taper, a couple of tool...

• KLove
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Tools, Dies, Rests, Reloading Components & Misc

• 

 

[jimcasey01]

SELLING Thread '1980 South Bend Heavy 10 10L - $6,500.00'

Jun 19, 2025

Heavy 10 with very little use for sale. If you are looking for a Heavy 10 with very little use/wear this is your chance. I looked for one for several years and came across this one finally. I wanted an American made lathe with very little use and wear to keep for a second lathe but ended up getting a mill and don't have the room for both.... My plan was to have it painted to look like brand new but plans changed. I painted the bed an pulley cover only myself and stopped. The lathe comes with axa style tool post, 4 jaw chuck, extra head stock base, mt2 to Jt33 taper, a couple of tool...

• KLove
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Tools, Dies, Rests, Reloading Components & Misc

• 

6 or 8 years ago I got a South Bend 13" in phenomenally good shape for about $800 if memory serves me. I got it from a technical school that was upgrading most of their equipment. The price of tooling was another story. It made the price of the lathe pale in comparison.

 

[akajun]

Thanks
I’ve sent him a pm

 

[jackieschmidt]

Strictly from a machinist standpoint in regards to the OP, I will ask.

Why?

 

[akajun]

I want a smaller lathe with shorter headstock but big spindle bore
I’m upgrading/ downgrading lol
Getting a well tooled Webb 17x60 and the heavy 10
Offloading/ trading the grizzly 14x40 and victor 16x60
This will workout better for me in my shop

 

[spike-55]

There is one listed in the forum by Klove

Heavy 10 with very little use for sale. If you are looking for a Heavy 10 with very little use/wear this is your chance. I looked for one for several years and came across this one finally. I wanted an American made lathe with very little use and wear to keep for a second lathe but ended up getting a mill and don't have the room for both.... My plan was to have it painted to look like brand new but plans changed. I painted the bed an pulley cover only myself and stopped. The lathe comes with axa style tool post, 4 jaw chuck, extra head stock base, mt2 to Jt33 taper, a couple of tool holders for the axa, Noga style magnetic base with indicator holder and an indicator. Speedy had looked at this lathe after I picked it up. He can attest to the wear i.e. lack of backlash on cross slide and compound. I have run it under power but never setup for any test cuts. I needed to buy, but stopped looking for a D1-4 backplate to fit a USA made 6" 6'Jaw Buck Chuck. I took the cover off of the gears to show the shape of the gears only, I have the cover just could only add 6 pics.

Sold separately:
1. 6" USA Made 6 Jaw Buck Chuck in excellent cond. - $600.00
2. Aloris AXA tool post with about 10 new tool holders A's and B's (New in Box) - $900.00
3. Newall NMS800 DRO w/Scales for this South Bend - $1,960.00

I do not believe you will not find a Heavy 10 in this good of shape anywhere. Thx for looking.

Kevin
@KLove

 

[tac284]

I want a smaller lathe with shorter headstock but big spindle bore
I’m upgrading/ downgrading lol
Getting a well tooled Webb 17x60 and the heavy 10
Offloading/ trading the grizzly 14x40 and victor 16x60
This will workout better for me in my shop

You say you are acquiring a WEBB 17 x 60?

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Strictly from a machinist standpoint in regards to the OP, I will ask.

Why?

Jackie what lathe would you recommend to the OP for barrel work thru the headstock?

Thanks

 

[jackieschmidt]

Jackie what lathe would you recommend to the OP for barrel work thru the headstock?

Thanks

Any of the little 14” X 36 or 40” gear head lathes are better than an old heavy 10. Grizzly makes a specific model for Gun Smith work. Granted, it is China built. But it will suffice unless you wish to start spending quite a bit more money.
I own and run a rather large and successful machine shop. Old plain bearing lathes such as the little South Bend models are a relic from another era. There seems to be a rather cult like fixation with them in the Gunsmith community.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Any of the little 14” X 36 or 40” gear head lathes are better than an old heavy 10. Grizzly makes a specific model for Gun Smith work. Granted, it is China built. But it will suffice unless you wish to start spending quite a bit more money.
I own and run a rather large and successful machine shop. Old plain bearing lathes such as the little South Bend models are a relic from another era. There seems to be a rather cult like fixation with them in the Gunsmith community.

I believe the Heavy 10 uses Timken roller bearings, But Yes, I agree a Precision Matthews 13x40 or even 12x36 is a better machine. It's hard to find a machine that old in excellent condition, And for the price you're better off getting a new Taiwanese machine with a dro already installed.

I know a lot of Gunsmith's used the heavy 10, But those machines are mostly wore out relics of a bygone era.

I had an old Southbend 13, It was cool and all, But the machines I have now are far better.

 

[Doug Beach]

The Taiwan made PM 1440GT might be close to a perfect gunsmithing lathe. A bit light for general work for a 1440, but it’s got a short headstock, a 2” spindle bore, the right speed range, and just generally works great. If someone stole (!) mine, I’d order another the next day.

 

[ELR LVR]

Any of the little 14” X 36 or 40” gear head lathes are better than an old heavy 10. Grizzly makes a specific model for Gun Smith work. Granted, it is China built. But it will suffice unless you wish to start spending quite a bit more money.
I own and run a rather large and successful machine shop. Old plain bearing lathes such as the little South Bend models are a relic from another era. There seems to be a rather cult like fixation with them in the Gunsmith community.

Gotta agree, I'll take a newer tight tolerance little used China built
over an older worn out heavy more desireable brand with lots of backlash in the dials and a sag in the bed from lots of mid section use

 

[akajun]

You say you are acquiring a WEBB 17 x 60?

Yes

 

[akajun]

Jackie I have one of the grizzly gunsmith lathes
I’m trading it for a Webb 17x60 well tooled with taper attachment
Guy wants a smaller machine
I’ll be selling my victor 16x60 as well
I have no steady rest , or taper attachment for it which I have needed for non gun work in the past.
I’ve chambered some very accurate barrels on both machines.
I like to keep two lathes and a heavy 10 or jet 1024 would work perfect with it’s smaller footprint plus I’d have the added advantage of the nice short headstock which would allow me to deal with shorter barrels and shotgun barrels easier than I am now.
Jackie i follow your work and value your opinion as a master machinist but I think the heavy 10 will work best for me with the Webb. Especially when I fit it with a taper attachment as well.

 

[akajun]

There is one listed in the forum by Klove

Heavy 10 with very little use for sale. If you are looking for a Heavy 10 with very little use/wear this is your chance. I looked for one for several years and came across this one finally. I wanted an American made lathe with very little use and wear to keep for a second lathe but ended up getting a mill and don't have the room for both.... My plan was to have it painted to look like brand new but plans changed. I painted the bed an pulley cover only myself and stopped. The lathe comes with axa style tool post, 4 jaw chuck, extra head stock base, mt2 to Jt33 taper, a couple of tool holders for the axa, Noga style magnetic base with indicator holder and an indicator. Speedy had looked at this lathe after I picked it up. He can attest to the wear i.e. lack of backlash on cross slide and compound. I have run it under power but never setup for any test cuts. I needed to buy, but stopped looking for a D1-4 backplate to fit a USA made 6" 6'Jaw Buck Chuck. I took the cover off of the gears to show the shape of the gears only, I have the cover just could only add 6 pics.

Sold separately:
1. 6" USA Made 6 Jaw Buck Chuck in excellent cond. - $600.00
2. Aloris AXA tool post with about 10 new tool holders A's and B's (New in Box) - $900.00
3. Newall NMS800 DRO w/Scales for this South Bend - $1,960.00

I do not believe you will not find a Heavy 10 in this good of shape anywhere. Thx for looking.

Kevin
@KLove

Thanks I’ve contacted him and have a tentative deal in place

 

[ELR LVR]

Jackie I have one of the grizzly gunsmith lathes
I’m trading it for a Webb 17x60 well tooled with taper attachment
Guy wants a smaller machine
I’ll be selling my victor 16x60 as well
I have no steady rest , or taper attachment for it which I have needed for non gun work in the past.
I’ve chambered some very accurate barrels on both machines.
I like to keep two lathes and a heavy 10 or jet 1024 would work perfect with it’s smaller footprint plus I’d have the added advantage of the nice short headstock which would allow me to deal with shorter barrels and shotgun barrels easier than I am now.
Jackie i follow your work and value your opinion as a master machinist but I think the heavy 10 will work best for me with the Webb. Especially when I fit it with a taper attachment as well.

I have a 12x36 for sale but..................
In Calif. so I may not be near you