Originally Posted by
unterhausen
I have a Sheldon R13, which would be a lot better if it wasn't so worn. The nice thing for framebuilding is that it will pass almost any tube used in framebuilding through the headstock. I would really hate to go back to a lathe with a smaller hole through the headstock because of this. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get the carriage tightened up enough to do mitering, it's an annoyance.
I also have a CNC Bridgeport, but I hurt myself setting it up a few years ago and haven't worked on it seriously since then. Keep telling myself I need to get it working though.
I am a little confused as to how you use the Sheldon lathe in frame building. I have a monster lathe that I may polish tubes with but is mostly used as a head tube reamer/facing station. Lathers are designed for positive tool pressure and *generally* can't be used for below center shenanigans. I use a lathe for crazy mitre angles but it's not awesome.
I had some help moving machines from storage to the production floor a couple of years ago. One machinery dolly was stuck on a 1/4-20 nut on the floor. I went to my knees to sweep the nut away and at that moment the machine slipped and went to the ground catching my hand underneath. I got lucky with only a good crushing. I had to go back in a couple of days and get back to work. It was very difficult but I really had no choice. I am safer at all times after that. It could have been a blessing.