The diameter of the hole through the headstock. A larger bore (e.g., 1" or more ) allows you to slide long rods through the machine for end-work. 3 Options for your FIRST Metal Lathe
The maximum diameter of a workpiece that can rotate without hitting the bed. A 10" to 12" swing is standard for most home shops. how to buy a metal lathe
Lathe size is primarily defined by two measurements: and Distance Between Centers . The diameter of the hole through the headstock