lathes, what's best?

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Stu Bloom

Dave, I don't doubt your figures ... but how in the heck to you support a piece of stock between 80 foot centers ??

When the piece of stock is 12 feet in diameter, it is not too much of a problem!

(but it is not really just a solid piece of stock - it is actually the outer skin walls of the first stage of the rocket, which is made of three isopanels, bent to shape and welded together into a cylinder; the whole assembly is then turned on the lathe to true it up as the tank end caps are welded on).

I have a picture of this bad boy somewhere. I will post it if I can find it. But in the mean time, take a look at this big Bridgeford lathe being used to turn a 20-foot auger bit.

-dave

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by dlavery

I have a picture of this bad boy somewhere.

Is this it?

-Kevin