Metal Lathe: Difference between revisions

[[Image:Main_lathe.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Trever Talbert]]'s main lathe]] [[Image:Jack_logan.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Jack Howell]]'s beautfilly restored Logan]]For the sake of pipe making, I would call any lathe 9"x20" or larger to be full sized. This first number refers to the swing over the bed (or sometimes the tool carriage). This means it is possible for a 9" diameter work piece to swing over the bed, so the actual distance between the chuck center and the bed is actually slightly more than 4.5". The second number is the length of material that will fit between the chuck in the headstock, and the center in the tail stock. Many established pipe makers look for older lathes, such as those made by Atlas, Clausen, some older Sears models (these were all made by Clausen), Logan, Ward, and South Bend. The UK and the rest of Europe have many fine old lathes kicking around too (a little help here on desirable makes would be appreciated).