From ILION Industrial Services, LLC
Please note that these oil hole covers are original old stock, brand new. They sold in pairs only and the price listed above is for ONE PAIR. If you are rebuilding your lathe, please take a moment to look through our other listings for illustrated lathe rebuild manuals and parts kits
If the oil hole covers on your South Bend Lathe 9" or 10k are mangled, missing the covers or if the spring is broken, then this is what you will need to replace them. These original oil hole covers were manufactured by Gits and they cross reference to the original South Bend part number 155x38. The total height is 0.40", the shank depth is .156" and the shank diameter is a nominal 1/4" for a press fit in any 1/4" hole. This size oil hole cover is used on all of the 9" and 10" horizontal drive units to lubricate the countershaft (2 locations), on the quick change gearbox on the 10k and model A (2 locations), and on the 9" and 10k spring type reversing gear lever (1 location). Use a small mandrel made from a scrap of steel rod to install the oil hole covers (see photo). Turn a shoulder on the end of the rod that fits the ID of the cover but does not exceed the OD of the cover. Clean the hole thoroughly before installing, align the oil hole cover and then tap into place with the mandrel.
Note: Several customers have asked about the custom gits oilers that were used on the aprons / reversing gear and have the long shaped tube. Unfortunately those have not been made for many years since they were a custom part for South Bend. A suggested alternative is to simply use 1/4" ID soft copper tube and press or solder these oil hole covers into the tube and then shape the tube to fit your lathe. You can also use brass and turn a new tube on the lathe so that the shoulders can be made to match the original and you can easily turn threads on the end if you need to replace a broken or missing tube on the reversing gears.
If you are restoring an older Southbend lathe, don’t miss your chance to pick up a pair for your machine. It just wouldn’t be complete without them. Let us know if you have any questions. We are more than happy to help.