How to measure a Metal Lathe Bed length. ?

Gold-Leaf-Deere · Sep 15, 2013

I have been ask to sell a Metal Lathe for a Widow Lady, My question, From which point to point do I measure the 'bed'? I know the 'swing' is 16 inches. I just need the other dimension so I can advertise it. THANKs

urbancase · Sep 15, 2013

the most inportant thing to people wanting to buy a lathe is the distance between centers.move the tale stock as far down on the ways as you can then mesaure between the 2 points were you can do work. also people want to know if it is gear or belt driven. hope this helps.

Bob · Sep 15, 2013

Yep, the "bed length" is simply that, the overall length of the "ways". And the center-to-center-measurement tells the story of how long of a workpiece and be placed "between the centers".

NCWayne · Sep 15, 2013

The others have you on the right direction on the bed length. Something else that a buyer will often want to know is the swing over the carriage. You measure it the same as measuring the overall swing over the bed, but do it with the carriage run forward and go to the 'legs' of the carriage rather than all the way to the bed ways.

That said, what brand and model lathe have you got? That will tell a potential buyer alot, but other things to include are --flat belt drive -vs- gear head----does it have a thread shasing dial----standard and/or metric tread capabilities, etc, etc. Too, what accessories are included- Ie follower rest, steady rest, etc, etc.

Lastly, where are you located as I am looking to upgrade mine if it's something I might be able to use, the price is right, and the location isn't too far from NC.

JMS/.MN · Sep 16, 2013

Length is full length of the ways, including under headstock and tailstock. Also important is manual gear change or quick change gears. QC will typically have two levers to change gears. Old style you manually mount gears to change feed/speed. Also, is crossfeed a power feed, and in both directions. My 1910 South Bend is 13x72, all manual, no power cross feed. My "newer" one, from the 50s, is 18 inch swing, 8 foot bed, all power feed and QC. Included tooling is a big factor in pricing.

bison · Sep 16, 2013

Some lathes have a removable piece in the bed under the chuck allowing an oversized piece like a flywheel to be turned.
I think you call it a gap bed?

bison · Sep 16, 2013

Some lathes have a removable piece in the bed under the chuck allowing an oversized piece like a flywheel to be turned.
I think you call it a gap bed?

Butch(OH) · Sep 16, 2013

Adding to the other correct advise today"s lathes are measured by the length "between centers" meaning the length of stock you can turn between a center in the head stock and dead center in the tail stock. This may give you an odd dimension for older lathes that were measured differently? I am not sure. Be sure to gather up all the tooling and any spares for the lathe as the package is much more attractive to most buyers of such. Buyers will also want to know the operating voltage and if 1 phase or 3. Most other questions from serious buyers would be answered by 3-4 good pictures.

How to measure a Metal Lathe Bed length. ?

Gold-Leaf-Deere

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urbancase

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Bob

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NCWayne

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JMS/.MN

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bison

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bison

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Butch(OH)

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