SFC Snuffy Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 One of the machine shops where I work, specifically the one in the building I work in, has half of a monstrous old LeBlond lathe. The bed is easily 12 feet and, I'm led to believe, is only half of the machine - the rest is in another building. The chuck that's in it is easily four feet in diameter and I'd guess the swing is probably two-and-a-half feet, or so. I'm fairly sure you could turn railroad wheelsets on it. The machine shop in a different building has some of the largest machines I've ever seen. Though they were not intended for such, I could easily imagine them building the parts and pieces for Sherman tanks or artillery pieces. Unfortunately, most of it is never used. The plant employs only a few full-time machinists, and only a couple know how to operate equipment that old. Back on topic: I'd love to have a good lathe to play with. I think you'll spend some time dreaming up things to do with your new capabilities and capacity, and before long you'll wonder how you ever made it without (or with a smaller version). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adair Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 Since I started this thread quite a while back, I'll share what I wound up with. I started out with an 18" Greaves & Klussman that was a project lathe. It had no countershaft, no transmission and was quite worn. I worked on it for a while and then came across a 20" leBlond. It was turn-key, but it was a gap bed which had real limitations since 99% of my work would be up close to the chuck. It was also far more lathe than I needed. Ultimately an 18" ATW lathe appeared at my local salvage yard. It was all disassembled, but I was able to trade my Greaves & Klussman for it. It has a QC gearbox, a countershaft motor mount, double back gears and much less wear. I have it mostly assembled and all parts appear to be present. It's taken a while to wind up with the right lathe. I did save a good lathe from a sad fate, though I resigned another one to the same. The big LeBlond ways will become a mighty workbench. It took some patience until the right one came along, but all three were nearly free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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