South Bend collet Question

[tclaunch]

I am looking to learn more about collets as it seems they can be very helpful on certain jobs. I bought a vintage H10 single lever with 2 1/4 x 8 threaded spindle. I love using this lathe, and it has given extremely good barrels. Point me in the direction needed to which collet system would be the most reasonable, best bang for my lathe. I see 3C, 5C stepped 2" 5C Hardinge. Lots of parts out there but very little knowledge on my part.

 

[boltfluter]

Good quality 5C collects are the way to go.

Paul

 

[GenePoole]

The Heavy 10 and 13 should have spindles designed for a 5C system. At the very least, you'll need an adapter for the collets that fits the spindle taper and a drawbar which is nothing more than a threaded tube with a handwheel on the outboard end. I have the automatic lever closer for my SB 13. It's a bit more complicated but worth the price I paid (free).

Try Practical Machinist. They have a South Bend section and a lot of knowledgeable folk.

Random Google search of Practical Machinist finds this:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/need-info-buy-collet-set-heavy-10-a-296740/

 

[tclaunch]

Thank you both, very helpful as always, Tim.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Use hardinge collets for best runout. Also never draw a collet in without the spanner ring behind it to break it back loose

 

[tclaunch]

My lathe has 6 drawers in its cabinet and has 2 sizes of collect adapters and the ring. I bought it from a widow, and her brother. I'd bet a tidy sum, there was a drawbar within 5 steps of where this gem was sitting.

 

[Gun Smith]

I have a single lever SB "Heavy" Ten. The 5C lever collet closer is the best for producing parts, as I do. Only thing I don't like about it is that it does not stay tight when you open it while running, and you have to stop the machine to change parts. Really old design apparently. My original SB handwheel type hardly gets used anymore. I've thought of adapting a Hardinge collet lever closer to it, as my Hardinge HVLH has me spoiled!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I bet you can find a wheel type collet puller for a resonable price

 

[tclaunch]

I`ll check E-bay now and then. How can you determine what size collet adapters you have? I saw 2 different ones in the cabinet, I`ll give them a close inspection to see if they are marked.

 

[Gun Smith]

I`ll check E-bay now and then. How can you determine what size collet adapters you have? I saw 2 different ones in the cabinet, I`ll give them a close inspection to see if they are marked.

I believe the H10 was designed for 5C collets. I used to have a SB 10K, which used smaller 3C collets (I think it was?) The 5C's are about 1-1/4" dia. at the front approximately. I found my 5C lever closer on Ebay years ago. Good place to look for one I think.

You might possibly be able to adapt a different make lever closer, or hand wheel type to your machine. Best of luck finding one!

 

[Gun Smith]

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/

Here is a link to the Practical Machinist South Bend section.

 

[jdh47]

You can get an Eagle Rock or similar 5C collet chuck and machine a backplate for it to fit your lathe. It won't be as fast as a lever attachment but it will work well enough.

 

[tclaunch]

I bought a wheel type today. And Dusty was educating me on the 2 other parts needed, both were in the lathe drawer from previous owner. The ring to remove the collect holder and there were 2 collet holders, one flat, one tapered on the nose.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Just need to make one of these and youll be set

 

[carlsbad]

The lever style closer is nice for production work. However, if you're using the lathe to do gunbarrels, then you'll probably want to collet chuck since you probably keep a spider on the back end of the spindle. I have one for each of my lathes. The chinese version is all over ebay for $200 or so and it will be OK but not achieve the capabilities of a chuck system. You'll be better off with a bison or hardinge, but your wallet will be much lighter.

--Jerry

 

[GenePoole]

I actually built my outboard spider to thread onto the existing thrust bearing threads of my SB 13 spindle. I can add or remove it with ease.

 

[carlsbad]

Nicely done. What size setscrews are those? I made one out of 3.5" stainless steel and fastened it with set screws (spindle not threaded). It is very beefy but I don't like having to take it off to put the collet rig on.

On the new jet belt drive, I will likely leave it set up for collet as the default setting.

Jerry

 

[charlieyankeesierra]

Nice. I made a similar thread on outboard spider for my SB 13.

 

[GenePoole]

Nicely done. What size setscrews are those? I made one out of 3.5" stainless steel and fastened it with set screws (spindle not threaded). It is very beefy but I don't like having to take it off to put the collet rig on.

On the new jet belt drive, I will likely leave it set up for collet as the default setting.

Jerry

They are 1/2-13 set screws. I went with what I had on my front spider at the time. My new front spider has 1/2-20 set screws.

 

[carlsbad]

They look huge. Nice photo.