On Aug 17, 4:05*pm, Charlie wrote:
snipped B) If correct on A, how to understand the dimensions? Perhaps a 36x9"
lathe has 36" between centers, and 9" is the max. diameter of basic
stock?

Right again. (well, the 9" is the distance from the bed to the center -
you may have trouble mounting 9"stock)

snipped

Minor correction: I believe that 'swing' is actually the maximum
diameter of the work. 9" swing would mean 4 1/2" between the bed (rails
that the tailstock moves on) and the centerline.

Charlie

It used to depend on the country but now everything I see for sale
seems to be max diameter turned. Bigger numbers sound better I guess.
Karl