South Bend Lathe

[Lance-W]

One of my friends father passed away and he had this old lathe.  After a little research I find it's quite the old lathe.  I guess it was made in 1912-1913 and has a very solid reputation. 

My question is for you folks that are way more versed in the do's and dont's of machinery is what's the best way to clean it?  I'd like to get it clean enough to be able to repaint/restore it to it's original beauty.  I'm afraid to use a pressure blaster with water and a degreaser like I would on engine parts as I don't plan on taking it entirely apart and am afraid of getting water where it'll be trapped and cause damage.  So what's my best choice..............

[Hammerworks]

I'll give my opinion.Being a machinist,I constantly look for used tools.I hate when people try to repaint old machinery without completely dismantling it.It always looks cheap.I like the patina the old machines hav ,gives them some character.I would clean it and start making stuff with it,its just going to get oily again anyway.

That being said,after seeing your work,I'm sure it will be very nicely done.

[BDKW1]

I'm with him^^^^^^^

That thing is in outstanding shape for it's age. Painting it without complete disassymbly will not look good at all. Wipe it down with WD and run it!

[Doug Heim]

me 3!!!

I had that same lathe in the garage back when I was just getting into it at my apartment.

[Reidy02]

What did ya do with it? Ya still got it?

[Doug Heim]

I sold it to my neighbor who does some gun smithing

[Reidy02]

Yeah they're a good accurate lathe.

[Lance-W]

All cleaned up and ready to run 
A spray bottle full of paint thinner worked great !

[Doug Heim]

Looks like it is ready to make chips and get dirty!