r/Eugene 2d ago

Metal lathe training?

My husband picked up a 1950 Southbend metal lathe. He's a welder and has been fabricating parts for tractor restorations. The classes at LCC are geared toward modern machines. Anybody out there in to old school belt driven lathes?

1 Upvotes

2

u/MindOrbits 2d ago

I have a bit of woodworking experience with such things. Have him check out YouTube if he has not already, and if restoring anything he should consider starting a channel and posting clips to YouTube, the community can be amazing.

2

u/LMFAEIOUplusY 2d ago

Hey this is VERY much a friend of a friend kinda recommendation but the proprietor or other folks at https://www.facebook.com/groups/jukeshop might be interested in your hubcap's project....

2

u/RevN3 1d ago

I'm a member of that shop.

2

u/ChefJukeEug 1d ago

Hi there,

As far as we’re aware there’s no beginner machinist training around Eugene.

The program at LCC is great but generally speaking doesn’t really have a curriculum for folks who are more hobbyist or just interested in getting started it’s more designed for folks are wanting a full program that will get them trained as a machinist. But it’s definitely worth taking a visit out there and talking to the instructor in case something has changed since I was there a few years ago.

I run the JukeShop mentioned above. It’s just a small maker space mostly friends that I ran out of my two car garage. We have a 1440 lathe, milling machine small CNC, welders etc.

I also have rebuilt an old South Bend lathe I’m very familiar with the process and how they work. Would happen be happy to have your husband come over to the shop and have some discussion about options and how to get started.

You can DM me here. Also here’s a link to pictures of South Bend restoration a few years back:

http://chefjuke.com/GALLERY/JUKESHOP/LATHE/index.html

1

u/YetiSquish 2d ago

I don’t know but I do know metal lathes are very dangerous. Make sure he practices safe work procedures - chuck guarding, no loose clothing, etc.

1

u/Kyrgan 2d ago

It's been 40 years, but the metallurgy class was very informative.