Anyone ever chamber a barrel on a Southbend 9A?

[Screamineagle]

I have a SB 9A that is in really good condition. Still has the flaking on the ways! Spindle runout is almost nothing on a .0001" indicator. I have a steady rest for it. Though, I may just build a spider for it. Anyone ever use a machine this small for chamber work?
Steve

 

[Screamineagle]

I take that as a no

 

[Erik Cortina]

What is the distance between centers?
Spindle bore size?

 

[jrm850]

What is the ID of the spindle? I was trying to remember if they had 9" or 10" Southbends at Colorado School of Trades back in the late 80's. I want to think they had several little 9s, in which case thousands of barrels were chambered on them. The spindle bore was 1.375 on those little school lathes so probably heavy 10s. If you are lucky and have one of the 1.375 spindle bore versions of the 9", I don't see why it wouldn't work just fine for non production work.

 

[Screamineagle]

3 1/2 Foot Bed, not sure of the spindle bore size. I wanna say that it is over an inch. I was thinking of chambering on the steady rest. I have a larger lathe that is more suited for the task. I just thought it would be cool to do a job on the little 9A, and wanted to see if anyone had.
Steve

 

[Erik Cortina]

Do it between centers. It will work just fine.

 

[Ggmac]

I think it has 3/4" spin bore . I used a small Clausen with3/4" many moons ago . It's not the tool it's the man working it .

 

[Screamineagle]

I think it has 3/4" spin bore . I used a small Clausen with3/4" many moons ago . It's not the tool it's the man working it .

Well said. I'm the foreman at the shop I work at now. We have had lots of "machinists" blame the machine for a junk part.
Steve

 

[riflewoman]

While the equipment is seldom to blame, using the wrong tools can make for interesting results.

As for the OP, the 9A has a smaa spindle so you'll have to chamber while running on a steadyrest. I don't know of many accuracy smiths that chamber on a steadyrest but good work can be done if you take your time.

 

[ridgeway]

While the equipment is seldom to blame, using the wrong tools can make for interesting results.

As for the OP, the 9A has a smaa spindle so you'll have to chamber while running on a steadyrest. I don't know of many accuracy smiths that chamber on a steadyrest but good work can be done if you take your time.

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KszCVSLU_qw

You can clearly see Greg Wally chambering in a steady rest at 1:48 into the video. Not sure if he does ALL barrels in a steady, but he sure is a top smith...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yep, Kelblys does it that way. In my opinion all a guy has to do to a good barrel is not ruin it. Chamber it any way you want, its gonna shoot.