Le Blond sliding gap lathes

[MCritchley]

Is anyone on the forum running or has run a Le Blond sliding gap lathe? I am looking at one later this week and am curious if anyone has any cautions or words of praise for these unique machines.

 

[kenton]

We have one a my work. Seems to work well enough. Ours is a 20" lathe you can swing 30" on, so keep your expectations realistic.
ours has a goofy leg to support the bed when extended and a tool post mount to replace the compound for OD turning with the gap extended.

I have a PDF I found online with some info on them but it is too large to attach. Let me know if you are interested in it.

 

[m-lud]

Is anyone on the forum running or has run a Le Blond sliding gap lathe? I am looking at one later this week and am curious if anyone has any cautions or words of praise for these unique machines.

Not the personal hands-on experience you're asking for but here is a brochure with some specs from a V.M. link

R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Co. - Publication Reprints - Sliding Gap Bed Lathes | VintageMachinery.org

You may already have it.
There may be other information in the publication reprint links.

R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Co. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

 

[MCritchley]

We have one a my work. Seems to work well enough. Ours is a 20" lathe you can swing 30" on, so keep your expectations realistic.
ours has a goofy leg to support the bed when extended and a tool post mount to replace the compound for OD turning with the gap extended.

I have a PDF I found online with some info on them but it is too large to attach. Let me know if you are interested in it.

The extended tool post makes a lot of sense and was listed in the bill of sale with the machine, I hope it's in the crate of stuff. I really don't plan on doing much in the extended gap, but it will be really nice to have.
Yes i am interested in the PDF, i'll PM my Email. Thanks

 

[MCritchley]

Kenton, I see the goofy leg you are talking about

 

[kenton]

Tool post extender.