I've never seen a lathe bed sag in the middle. I've seen the middle have more wear on the ways from use, but not sag under its own weight. Twist is a completely different ball of wax and 100% something that needs to be mitigated by leveling.
Have you seen a lot of lathes with altered support configuration? If yes, then probably it’s no big deal.I've never seen a lathe bed sag in the middle.
If a lathe bed could not twist or sag you wouldn't need leveling feet at at all. Suit yourself, sir.
@joeblow65 The lathe bed on my 3800 lb LeBlond lathe twists easily, as does the bed on Top Lipton's 6500 lb TOS lathe. Do what you want, but your are losing all the accuracy of your lathe. The headstock needs 4 feet for a lathe of that type and size. you are re-engineering the lathe without the benefit of drawing the force diagramme or doing an FEA.
Machinists fix this problem all the time. We make 6 pucks, usually from solid steel, to one each under each foot. It has nothing to do with strength of your casters. Strength does not equal rigidity.
If you *want* a mobile base, that is an entirely different thing. A very long discussion.
Thank you, that's exactly what I decided. which is why I asked the question on which would be best.Unless I'm understanding @joeblow65 , he said that he will use four casters, and two screw feet. So his plan is to use four feet under the headstock.
Unless I'm understanding @joeblow65 , he said that he will use four casters, and two screw feet. So his plan is to use four feet under the headstock.