Mike,
this is the reply I got when I contacted the seller:
OK, I'm getting alot of people asking the same so here it is,
I bought the lathe about 5 years back from a guy I think was in California as I remember. I paid $1000.00 plus delivery which as I remember was about $400.00. I had it in mind to restore it at my leisure when I retired. They still go for about $3000.00 on ebay (plus delivery taxes and broker fees, and dollar difference 10%) in reasonable condition, that is with no really badly worn gears , lead screw, ways are reasonable etc.
However , never got around to it and now am moving with lots on my plate so decided to sell it.
My magic number is $500.00 , I'm not looking at it from profit or loss , just as a quick sale to someone who want THIS lathe to take the time to restore it.
I won't take even a penny less for it, so there you have it.
It comes exactly as shown in the picture nothing more , nothing less. I believe that to be be a very fair price.
Let me know if you would like to take a look.
Thanks for your interest
I have since located a smaller lathe that is also a project lathe but will not be the same challenge in size but will also come ith advice and possibly support. There ends the adventure in the 16" southbend lathe.
thanks for your pointers,
Bruce