I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

Karl

On 2012-10-14, Karl Townsend wrote:
I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

Karl

Clausing has a big advantage of being able to buy parts for it.

i

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
...
I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

Ahm no 'spert.... but I have come to realize that some lathes seem to have
unnecessary (read: expensive to fix) complexity.

Some Clausings have a kind of hydraulic variable speed, which can go.
Newer clausing-colchesters have a friction clutch, which can go (slip). I
think it's bypassable (you can lock it up), but not sure.
My buddy's euro 15" SouthBend has so many goddamm relays in it, you need a
schematic.... ditto Hardinge. His southbend has been apart for over a
year.

But, apart from all that, plentiful parts is a point to consider. But
clausing parts from clausing are phenomenally expensive -- your knees will
buckle. But if plentiful in the used market, then mebbe no pro'leng.

Mebbe distill the wisdom of used machinery dealers in the area -- some of
these guys are ex-machinists/repair guys, and really know a lot about the
innerworkings. The only problem is vested interests in the advice, but
that's where distillation comes in.
--
EA



Karl

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
...
I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?


Other factors being equal, buy the heaviest.one.

On 2012-10-14, Karl Townsend wrote:
I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense.

Given the size range you are looking at -- and today's fuel
costs, that makes serious sense.

Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

The first thing which I noticed is that that specific Clausing
has a lever-style collet closer, while there is nothing of the sort
shown on the LbBlond.

I have no experience with the LeBlond machines, but I do own a
(somewhat smaller) Clausing, and very much like it.

Note that if you can check them under power, set the Clausing to
some mid speed and (with a mechanical or optical tach) check for speed
drift over a few minutes. The smaller Clausings at least use a
hydraulic adjustor to the variable-speed pulley assembly, and they are
known to develop leaks over time. They can be rebuilt, but you should
know about it at least. (My Clausing is step pulleys so I don't have
that particular worry.)

I don't know how the LeBlond handles variable speed -- for all
I know, it may have the same potential problem.

I wish that *I* had room for a machine of this size. :-)

Good luck,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 10:52:58 -0500, Ignoramus28557
wrote:

On 2012-10-14, Karl Townsend wrote:
I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I have that exact lathe in my home shop. And have no complaints with
it. The hydraulic vari-drive has been something of an issue, but once
it was rebuilt..it works fine and goes fast enough for small stuff.
2800 rpm as I recall, in 3 speed ranges, the top end being direct
drive, the other 2 in "gear head" configuration.

Its actually a pretty nice lathe. And 1/3rd the price of the Leblond.

Need metric threading? If not..take a hard look at the 1501 listed


I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

Karl

Clausing has a big advantage of being able to buy parts for it.

i

Though they will ask for your first born child along with a huge
amount of cash......

As much as I hate to say it...these are actually pretty good lathes

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JET-GHB-1440.../390297196398?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JET-14-in-x-...-/280800992909


Finding them used can be done.

You may also wish to look for Colchester, which are pretty good lathes
as well. Sometimes labled Clausing-Colchester

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLAUSING-COL...-/350610288691


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clausing-Col...-/251155017317

Leblond is a very nice lathe...but...its not the easiest machine to
find parts for..and when they can be found..be sitting down when you
hear the price. Clausing makes your stomach hurt...Leblond pricing
will kick you to death.

Which is why I posted the Jet lathes....shrug


Gunner

"The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered
by an occasional assassination." --Voltaire

On 2012-10-14, Gunner wrote:
On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 10:52:58 -0500, Ignoramus28557
wrote:
Clausing has a big advantage of being able to buy parts for it.


Though they will ask for your first born child along with a huge
amount of cash......

As much as I hate to say it...these are actually pretty good lathes

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JET-GHB-1440.../390297196398?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JET-14-in-x-...-/280800992909


Their prices are usually not so bad, I bought a few parts from them

i

Finding them used can be done.

You may also wish to look for Colchester, which are pretty good lathes
as well. Sometimes labled Clausing-Colchester

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLAUSING-COL...-/350610288691


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clausing-Col...-/251155017317

Leblond is a very nice lathe...but...its not the easiest machine to
find parts for..and when they can be found..be sitting down when you
hear the price. Clausing makes your stomach hurt...Leblond pricing
will kick you to death.

Which is why I posted the Jet lathes....shrug


Gunner

"The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered
by an occasional assassination." --Voltaire

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 08:21:00 -0500, Karl Townsend
wrote:

I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

Karl


Hey Karl,

Too bad about the "close to home" requirement. There's a 24" (I
think) Dean-Smith & Grace at an aero-repair facility in Montreal.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:41:44 -0400, Brian Lawson
wrote:

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 08:21:00 -0500, Karl Townsend
wrote:

I'm in need of upgrading my big lathe...

"The Kid" volunteered to take the old one, so at least I have room.

I used a leblond servo shift many years ago and loved it. here's a
leblond- regal
http://tinyurl.com/9tls68g

"The Kid" thinks a Clausing would be way better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271079709597

I'll go look at lathes this week, may find a few more. I'm only buying
in the MN area because I can look at it and pick it up, no truck
expense. Anybody have comments or comparisons on these two lathe
models? Any special problems to look for?

Karl


Hey Karl,

Too bad about the "close to home" requirement. There's a 24" (I
think) Dean-Smith & Grace at an aero-repair facility in Montreal.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.
yep, been watching sence spring. I keep seeing great deals too far
away to check out.

Karl