Challenger Lathe 12 x 36

[Hellbound]

Anyone have any experience with the Challenger 12 x 36 lathe?

[spro]

Welcome to the board. My closest lathe is before yours but many here can read your lathe like a book. It appears to be improved version with camlock spindle, gear head and usable base with compartments. They went by many names. Like I said, folks here know what they are.
Fwiw I'll tell you about late 1980's or before. The only "new" lathe I bought was before yours. While I'm not complaining, it was interesting to see this model shortly afterward. Something evident and not discussed is the tailstock.
That same tailstock was reverse to yours and projected forward. I mean the casting was basically the same thing. It had to be bored out etc. but It actually made sense to have the point of center bearing inward.
It isn't a terrible machine at all and probably has a gap bed. Ymmv but you will find out.

[John Evans]

Please post your general location in your profile . But as to your lathe it looks to be a typical China/Tiawan machine . It does have several features that make it a cut above the usual machine of that size. Cam lock spindle,gear head, Quick change box with it's own oil supply. May have a hardened bed,in all if not abused a very decent machine.