Lathe 3 V bed

[Aukai]

I can see the South bend 3 Vs in the picture, but the lathe beds I see in other pictures that claim 3 Vs look like 2 Vs, and 2 flats. What am I missing?
SB

 

[Asm109]

People are foolish? Different lathes use different designs, Atlas has 0 V's. What does it matter?

 

[Aukai]

Trying to learn, and understand, being that I'm not smart.

 

[MyLilMule]

Different lathe manufacturers had different designs for the bed ways.

 

[Aukai]

Thank you
I was wondering because they use"patented South Bend" 3 V bed ways in the description.

 

[MyLilMule]

That last bit could be a V way and the photo makes it look flat instead.

 

[benmychree]

I'll complicate the matter further; American Tool Works lathes had 4 V ways, bottom line, the more Vs the better for long wear and accuracy.

 

[Aukai]

I had a feeling the Vs were important. Thank you.

 

[Beckerkumm]

Width of bed, quality of the cast iron and how well the ways are hardened, and length of saddle might be more important than number of Vees. I'm mainly an old machine guy but certain companies were noted for how well their ways held up vs others. I suspect that is even more the case with today's machines. Dave

 

[Aukai]

9" wide bed ways, I saw something about long saddle, and gibs but can't find it.
• Southbend Hardened & Ground Three V-Way Bed.
• Meehanite Casting.