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Machine ID’d: Nardini MS-1440 E Metal Lathe Labeled Clausing

We identified this Nardini MS-1440 E Metal Lathe after receiving some pictures from a gentleman that said his Nardini lathe had an original Clausing label on it. This was the first Nardini metal lathe we had seen with such a label. We knew Clausing became a reseller of foreign machines, like the Colchester lathes.We see lots of machines sold under different names and labels. JET Tools sold a 1550 that was similar to a Clausing. 
The Nardini 14×40 lathes appear to be the most popular size that are still being used today. They are well built machines manufactured in Brazil as you can see by their flag on the picture below. Every owner I’ve talked to about them has always enjoyed the build and quality. REM sales used to import these lathes and had parts available, but they are no longer supporting them. Feel free to comment below, if you know of a parts supplier. We receive request every month for parts for Nardini.

Sometimes it is difficult for people to figure out which Nardini lathe manual goes with their lathe, because they made a lot of variations in sizes and options that are covered in each manual, and it isn’t possible to label each one in the title. The manual below is the one for this lathe, but it can be hard to tell from the title alone.

The best way to narrow it down is look for the letters distinguishing the series. We’ve added pictures and diagrams of in the descriptions of the manuals to compare them to your lathe. The most important thing to do is compare the knob and handle configurations on the headstock. If you are ever unsure as to which Nardini manual matches your lathe, feel free to email us pictures.

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Do you want to know more about your machine?

Email us your details with pictures, and we’ll put together the best information we can find. Plus, we can get other readers’ input to help you learn more.

Also, feel free to email us if you want us to share your machine on our site.

Email your information to: info@ozarkwoodworker.com

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How To: Measure the Size and Swing of a Wood or Metal Lathe

measuring lathe swing

People often ask us how to measure the size and swing of their wood or metal lathe. Lathes are generally described by the maximum size of material that can be cut or machined on the lathe. Before machining a workpiece, the following measurements must be considered: the diameter of the work that will swing over the bed and the length between lathe centers. Often you will see numbers like 14×40 or 9×42 describing the size of a lathe. So what do these numbers mean?

Wood and Metal Lathe Sizes

How to Measure the Lathe Swing and Size

What does the term “swing” on a lathe mean? The first number is referred to as the swing of the lathe which is the maximum diameter of a piece or work that can fit in the lathe. If you have a lathe and want to measure for the swing, you simply measure from the bed of the lathe to the center of the spindle, and then double that measurement. If you measure 6″, then you have a 12″ swing lathe.

Measure Swing of Metal Wood Lathe

 

  • Special Note: Sometimes there can be some discrepancies between the actual measured swing and the swing the manufactures label the machine as being. I’ve only seen this on larger geared head metal lathes and European metal lathes. Some foreign lathes were made on metric standards, and they rounded to the nearest US standard size. Some companies labeled them based on the measurement from the top of the cross-slide for the tool holder on the metal lathe to the spindle.  For example this Bradford Metalmaster geared head metal lathe series had actual measured swings of 14.5″, 16.5″, and 18.5″, but Bradford labeled the lathes as 12″, 14, and 16″.

 

Keep in Mind

On metal lathes, it is important to know the swing over the carriage where your tool holder sits. A lot of companies will give you this specification, and some companies in the past have used this measurement as the size of the “actual” swing of the lathe. It is obvious, if you have to cut something over the carriage of the lathe, it will make your working swing smaller in diameter.

Measure Swing of Metal Lathe

 


 

How to Measure Distance Between Centers on a Lathe

The second number in the sequence 14x40 is referred to as the distance between centers. This is the distance between a center in the headstock to a center in the tailstock. This gives you an idea as to how long the working area of the lathe is. However, a lot of companies in the 40’s or before used the size of the bed as the second number.

Measure Distance Between Centers Metal or Wood Lathe

Depending on what tooling and what kind of cuts, drills, bores, etc… you are trying to use can vary the maximum length of material you can work on in your lathe.

Example:

A 10×24 lathe can handle work that has a diameter up to 10″ and a length between centers of 24.”

Remember:
If you need any help identifying your lathe please feel free to send us pictures and information to info@ozarkwoodworker.com. We’ve identified hundreds successfully.
Please feel free to post comments and questions on this post or any ideas or topics you would like to discuss on future post. And if you need a manual for your lathe, we have all of them listed here at the links below:

Need a manual for your lathe?

Select the Wood or Metal Lathe links below.

 

Wood Metal Lathe Manuals
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Machine ID’d: Atlas 12×36 Bench Top Metal Lathe Model 3983

Received these images of a Atlas 12×36 bench top metal lathe. This is Atlas metal lathe is a model 3983. These were produced in the 60’s. Atlas also made this lathe with a quick change gear box. If you bought this lathe without the quick change gear box, Atlas sold it separately with instructions on how to install it here: ATLAS/CRAFTSMAN 12″ Newer Quick Change Gear Box Installation, Instructions & Parts Manual

The reader said that he had our parts and instructions manual for this lathe, which we have here:
This manual does cover the basics. It explains lubrication, and labels the different controls of the lathe. The reader said that he wanted more information about the operation of the lathe. He’s not the only person that has asked us about this, and that is why we carry the Manual of Lathe Operations and Machinist Tables books, which is full of almost everything you would want to know to get started, plus it contains on the gear and machinist tables for threading.
The problem with these books is that Atlas and Craftsman sold thousands of these over many decades. They made changes to the books as they made changes to the lathes, but they never stated on the cover or in the book which manual covers which vintage and size of lathe. We’ve collected over 20 of these books and have done the research for you, and we have that covers this lathe is the one here:
This book covers the newer style 12″ lathes that Atlas produced, and it specifically covers the one that had a pull-knob to engage the power cross feed. Atlas also made it with a lever mechanism to engage the power cross feed, which we have here. Both books cover the lathe with and without a gearbox.
NO Knob or Lever
Knob
Lever
Do you have one of these lathes, or
do you have anything else you would like to add about it’s history or use?
Please add your comments below.

Submit Your Machine
Do you want to know more about your machine?

Email us your details with pictures, and we’ll put together the best information we can find. Plus, we can get other readers’ input to help you learn more.

Also, feel free to email us if you want us to share your machine on our site.

Email your information to: info@ozarkwoodworker.com

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Machine ID’d: 1931 South Bend 9″ Metal Lathe

Received these pictures of an old bench top South Bend 9″ metal lathe with a quick change gearbox and vertical drive system. It has serial number 50293 stamp on the tailstock end of the bed.

 

 

 

 

 

We have two different manuals that cover this machine and were able to assist this reader. Quality manuals for this older lathe can be difficult to find.

 

We have a parts manual here:

 

 

 

The parts manuals for all the South Bend lathes, besides the geared head lathes made in the 70’s, combine a large selection of lathes that they manufacturer at one time in one book. Since South Bend offered so many different options and combinations it was easier for them to combine them and let the operator decide what parts pertain to his model in the manual.

 

The operator’s manual for this vintage of lathe would be contained in the book we have here:

 

 

 

Like the parts manual, South Bend combined a lot of information in the book that covered a variety of styles and models they made at the time. It is important to find the correct version of How to Run a Lathe so it shows you how to set up the correct style of gearbox and other settings. This older version of How to Run a Lathe has been enlarged making it easier to read while still allowing everything to be crisp and clear. We are able to achieve this, because of the high resolution scans we do of all our manual reproductions.

Submit Your Machine
Do you want to know more about your machine?

Email us your details with pictures, and we’ll put together the best information we can find. Plus, we can get other readers’ input to help you learn more.

Also, feel free to email us if you want us to share your machine on our site.

Email your information to: info@ozarkwoodworker.com