....
Hmm. Is that 16" name plate or actual? According to this listing
this particular 16" LeBlonde actually swings 20 1/2". Pretty darn
close to what I'm looking for.

http://www.machinetools.com/mt/machi...80130503290515

Is it similar to that lathe?

I wish.


For some reason I'm thinking that it's a Servo Shift. Seems to me
that I remember you talking about it in the past. That would make it
more like this one.

http://www.machinetools.com/mt/machi...stingID=102449


I really wish. ( I was weaned on a servo shift, and it plumb spoilt me)

Na, it's an old klunker. Flat belt drive machine. Sounds like same
condition as your Sidney. Max speed 660 and only two horsepower. But by 16",
they mean 16" over the carriage, not to the ways. Also 120" means what you
can chuck between the three jaw and tailstock, not distance from spindle to
end of lathe. The meaning of swing and length has changed over time.


Karl