Feeler FT-200(MC)

The Feeler FT-200(MC) is the smallest lathe in the FT series, which Feeler heads as horizontal box way lathes. It takes an 8 in (203 mm) chuck, turns up to 300 mm (11.8 in) in diameter and 487 mm (19.2 in) in length, and its spindle reaches 4,500 rpm. The MC in brackets marks the driven-tool version of the same machine.

For its chuck size the spindle is generous. The nose is A2-6 with a 76 mm through-hole, and bar capacity is 65 mm (2.6 in). That is a large bore for an 8 in lathe, so this model takes bar stock that often calls for the next chuck size up, while keeping the higher speed of the smaller spindle.

The turret is listed as BMT65-12 on every FT model, the FT-200(MC) included: 12 stations with the BMT65 interface, a bolted, keyed mount designed to hold driven tool holders rigidly. X travel is printed as 165+10 mm and Z travel as 580 mm (22.8 in). A tailstock with an MT-4 taper is part of the specification.

Sliding box ways are the reason to consider an FT lathe over a linear guide machine. They add damping in heavy or interrupted cuts, hard turning and large-insert roughing. They also move more slowly, and the FT table lists no rapid rates at all. Nor does it give motor power, driven-tool speed or machine weight. Feeler's page describes the larger FT-250 and FT-350 in some detail but says nothing specific about this model, so the table is all there is.