Although the apron and screwcutting gearbox are different, the headstock, bed and compound slide rest of this early L4Z are remarkably similar to those used on the lathes made during the 1950s and 1960s. The heavy cast-iron stand was well appointed, having a both a full-length wooden tool tray and storage for collets and changewheels beneath.
Instead of a cumbersome, rear-drive countershaft, the flat-belt drive to the headstock came from underneath; the difficulties of engineering the installation within the confines of a traditional stand were overcome by shaping the headstock-end leg to hold a beautifully made (and complex) multi-plate clutch/drive unit.