LEBLOND lathes any good

Do you know the model and age? My pre WW2 Leblond with babbit bearing and top speed of 600 was good for its time. Not worth much today. OTOH a Servo Shift is one EXCELLENT machine. In general all the newer Leblonds are fine machine tools.

Karl

I often make use of a servo shift Leblond, it has been an excellent machine.

How many rpm will the spindle on your lathe do?

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

The antique 16 x 120 Leblond does 600 The 22 x 72 Mazak M4 does 2000 The Monarch 10EE does 3600 The Hardinge CHNC does 5000

I've been pining for a servo shift about 14 or 16 by 48 or 60. My better half suggested I don't need another lathe. She just don't understand the need for more tools!

Karl

Much better than a 10EE. The question is its condition. Steve

Aren't those fighting words?

Ive a Leblond royal, 15/30. Made in 1942 All gear head, taper preloaded bearing main shaft. Turns to 1/1000.in Limitation is the chuck accuracy. Mentioned it some yrs ago on this group. Came as lease lend from the USofA to the UK. Many thanks still going strong. My son will inherit it one day. Expect it to go on for another 60 to 100 yrs at least,hopefulloy for his son.

Like many have said....what is the age of the machine. Back in the day I used many a Leblond....the day being the 80's when the machines were already like 30 years old. Great stuff to learn on...and to make good parts on. These things were in my high school...imagine the abuse a bunch of high school students can dish out...the Leblonds held up very well. However...without seeing pics/age/ect.....its a guessing game.

I thought Leblonde was french made?

LeBlond (my old client) was made in Cincinnati. It's one of the real old-time US machine-tool builders, dating from the 1870s, I think. They ran into financial trouble when the Japanese muscled their way into the US market and Makino bought in, somewhere around 1980. They then became LeBlond-Makino. Then they moved north out of Cincinnati, but still in Ohio, into a brand-new plant. Then Makino bought out the rest and it's just part of Makino now.

The later model LeBlond Regals were made in Singapore. The plant was run by LeBlond, so the quality was about as good as the Ohio-built machines. A good one is a great find; they were excellent machines.

I used to know Dan LeBlond when he still ran the company.

We had a couple of 1950 lebonds at school. They were in the best condition, a testament to their quality.

My dad owned a large machine shop in Richmond, CA. I remember the LeBlonds as good lathes. He did not own any crap. When you make your living via machine tools, go for the upper tier.

Well? Did you buy it?

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller