Our TURN-NADO Gearhead Lathes are designed for demanding shops that want “nothing but the very best”

The TURN-NADO Gearhead Lathes come in three different sizes: 18" x 60", 21" x 80", and 21" x 120".

These TURN-NADOs are driven by a fixed speed 15 HP motor with quick-change gear levers to control the 16 spindle speeds between 20-1600 RPM.

The threading and feed charts display the necessary configurations of the gearbox levers and end gears for different threading or feeding options.

These lathes feature a spindle clutch that allows the operator to switch between forward and reverse without shutting down the motor—a great time saver.

To further ensure a high degree of accuracy, these lathes are equipped with high-quality spindle bearings. The spindles are D1-8 camlock with an MT#7 taper and 3.15" bore. The tailstocks have an MT#5 taper and 6-1/2" of quill travel.

A factory-installed Fagor digital readout displays the positioning of the carriage and cross slide.

A micrometer stop is used to limit carriage travel for production runs or make final adjustments to the carriage position.

The bed of the lathe is constructed with patented Meehanite-processed castings that are hardened and precision-ground in the traditional three V-way prismatic design. This continues on a tradition long used on South Bend lathes for accuracy, rigidity, and durability.

The carriages include an adjustable clutch that disables automatic carriage feed when it contacts the feed stop or in the event of a crash.

The headstock is supplied with oil from the oil tank in the base of the left stand. When the spindle motor is started, a belt-driven oil pump circulates oil across the headstock gears before spindle rotation is started.

The one-shot oiler lubricates the saddle ways with oil from the apron reservoir and then forces it through drilled passages to the way guides.

The lathe is equipped with a foot brake to quickly stop the spindle instead of allowing it to coast to a stop on its own. Pressing the foot brake disengages the spindle clutch from the motor drive inside the headstock.

The removeable chip drawer catches swarf and metal chips during the machining process. It contains a screen that keeps the large chips from returning to the reservoir, preventing pump damage.

When the coolant pump switch is turned ON, the fluid is delivered through the nozzle attached to the carriage. The flow is controlled by the valve lever at the base of the nozzle.