These discussions are normally somewhat unproductive, because of the lack of definition of what constitutes "good." For the kind of hobby work I do, I've never needed anything over an 11" swing and have room for nothing larger in the shop, so that pins down one parameter. I can't addrress the question of the Shaublin or Myford since I haven't run them.
Like Mark, I have a South Bend 10L toolroom lathe with all the accessories. I also bought an ex-NIST HLV-H almost three years ago, and the SB sits mostly unused in the garage now. JimK is entitled to his opinion, as am I, and there are a couple of his points which deserve clarification for the record.
*If* you are comparing a SB 10L to an HLV-H, then it just slightly stretches the bounds of credibility to assert that one can just as easily get the same surface finish with a plain bearing spindle whose clearance specification is .001" with a broomstick handle setup, versus a guaranteed max .000025" runout on the HLV-H angular contact bearing spindle. Combine that with the vibration of all those straight cut gears in the SB carriage drive introducing interesting surface patterns on the workpiece, and you begin to realize why Hardinge uses the low speed DC motor carriage drive. It's sort of of nice to see each cut come out looking like a mirror. I can get reasonable finish and accuracy with the 10L too, but it takes more time and fiddling to do it.
Secondly, I don't know why anyone in their right mind wouldn't have a VFD (on any lathe), programmed for constant speed. In my case it was the cheapest way to get 460v 3 phase from the 120/240 single phase home service, and cost all of $150 including the transformer. The variable speed was a bonus. On occasion I've run the HLV-H at 30 rpm with more than enough power for turning stainless steel...so much for the lack of back gear claim, which I hear repeated a lot. A back gear is certainly essential for the SB, with the extremely operator-intensive threading procedure required of it.
As for the tailstock, the definition of "extending the tailstock spindle way out too far for good lathe practice" is a matter of opinion and depends on the tailstock size and design. The HLV-H tailstock is more rigid at its furthest extension than my 10L is at *zero* extension. The fact that the 10L tailstock can be picked up with one hand while the HLV takes two men and a small boy does make a difference here, and the rigidity of the HLV bed versus the flexible SB double rail design has a bearing on it as well.
Finally, with respect to the issue of impoverishing one's family, with patience the older HLV-Hs can be found for a reasonable price. Mine was $4k on ebay, which I had to augment by $250 for shipping to Washington DC from Tennessee. That's certainly more than a SB under most conditions (though I have seen 10Ls go for more than that on the 'bay) but simply represents the result of having the discipline and permissive family financial situation to put $75 a month for almost five years into a savings account. Some folks spend that kind of money on beer and cigarettes, I chose to save up for an HLV-H.
As I mentioned, these discussions are generally pointless because of the apples and oranges comparison problem. I've had the 10L for 25 years and enjoyed it tremendously, but it simply doesn't compare to the pleasure I get in doing *anything* on the Hardinge. My wife often remarks about the silly grin on my face when I'm making chips on it, but it's no temporary infatuation - it's been the same ever since I first ran one in 1970. In the final analysis, "you pays your money and takes your choice".
Best wishes,
Mike
