Lathe Size

Bill Tattersall · Mar 27, 2018

Somewhat new to lathe technology. How can I make a measurement that tell me what size lathe I have (10", 12", etc.)?

el6147 · Mar 27, 2018

from the center of the tail or head stock to either side of the bed x 2 will be the swing ( 5 inches x 2 = 10 inch swing and so on). measurement between centers ( not the entire bed length ) is the capacity.

grizz02 · Mar 27, 2018

lathes are measured 2 ways say 14x 35 the 14 is the swing over the bed to the center line of the chuck head 35 is the max distance between chuck and spindle so those numbers are the max. that lathe can handle

grizz02 · Mar 27, 2018

I guess I should also have said that the 14 is divided in half so 7 in from center line over the bed X2 = 14 swing

Butch(OH) · Mar 27, 2018

For something so basic a person would think it would be cut and dry but advertised lathe swing and length is often far from actual. Swing has most often been measured by swing over the ways, but it is also been measured over the cross slide. I have measured some that claimed "X" but no way they would do it. If not specified it is most often swing over the ways or center of spindle to the closest part of the ways X2 = swing. In the past length was the longest piece you could get between dead centers mounted in the spindle and tail stock. I have seen some imported lathes that the bed length was used. As an example the Summit engine lathe in my shop is advertised as a 16x60. It will swing 16" over the compound, 19" over the ways and almost 30" if the gap is removed. There is no way to get anything 60" long between centers, more like 55" It wouldb e a 19x55 in some peoples jargon. Confused ?? LOL, dont feel alone, so are most others. If you are selling call it whatever the tag says. If you are buying or no tag exists measure it.

Oliver 500 Wa · Mar 27, 2018

Butch(OH) has it right. No single sizing method is used.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some machines will swing a given size part, you sometimes don't have enough travel to actually cut it. An example would be the 30" swing through the gap in the bed. Put a 30" diameter slug in there and most cases you will not be able to face it in one pass. The cross slide won't have enough travel to do it. You have to set your tool to face a portion then stop and reposition the tool or use another tool entirely to continue facing the rest of the way down.

Butch(OH) · Mar 27, 2018

In reading my post I noticed an error. Swing is never measured over the compound but over the apron. My lathe is 16" over the apron, not the compound, sorry for that and any confusion, my mind was in the right place but my fingers were not, LOL

Lathe Size

Bill Tattersall

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el6147

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grizz02

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grizz02

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Butch(OH)

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Oliver 500 Wa

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Butch(OH)

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