I was looking for the gap size between the ways on the grizzly site (too lazy and cold to go measure) and I found this on the specification sheet. Third line down is what caught my attention..... Have I been missing out all this time or just another case of someone used a different manual when they wrote this one?? Or are you able to take the headstock off and turn it 180 degrees and use an outrigger tool rest? Thought I'd ask before I give myself a hernia trying to take off and turn only to find out it doesn't. "1. Low speed range of 100–1200 RPM and high speed range of 330–3200 RPM 2. Electronic variable-speed control with digital spindle-speed indicator 3. Headstock rotates 180° and positions anywhere along the bed Single-phase frequency drive provides three-phase variable-speed control without three-phase power 10º spindle indexing Tailstock, headstock, and tool rest support have lever-action cam locks for quick positioning Forward/reverse spindle control"
easiest way to do that is remove tail stock , slide head stock to foot (no hernia)
I guess it's more the wording they used - Rotate instead of sliding. I'd love it if I could rotate it out 90 degrees. I knew it slid but the position I have my lathe sitting is too close to a wall and I can't stand on either end. (I should have said 90 degrees in my post instead of 180.)
I'm guessing that the Chinese translator used the wrong wording. You could put the headstock on facing either direction, is suppose. That would technically be 180 degree rotation. Much easier to remove the tail stock and just slide the headstock down to the other end.
Some people will remove the tailstock and slide the headstock to the right (facing the lathe) in order to have a comfortable body position for bowls and (especially) hollowing. I would be reluctant to try to turn things bigger than the 22 inch diameter that the lathe normally accommodates. I have only turned one 21 inch platter and don't find myself getting larger blanks. Also, the bearings and the casting in which they fit may be over stressed if you tried to turn, say, a 30 inch blank, and got a catch. Or hung a couple hundred pound blank off the headstock. Just my own opinion.
On the other hand, if you want to turn something really big, I suppose that you could. I suspect that this is a bit beyond the capability of my G0766 (credit to David Barkby):
