I have a machine question that's been burning in my mind off and on for several years now. Haven't asked because I figured the reason would become obvious as I gained experience with lathe work, however the reason has NOT become any more obvious with time and I can find no explanation for why lathe headstocks are always on the LEFT. This just seems fundamentally stupid to me, particularly for a screw machine.
Let me explain. For anyone who has ever single-pointed right hand threads on a manual lathe, you know what I'm talking about. Sure, a fellow can rig his cutting tool upside down and on the back and thread away from the chuck, but it's a workaround, is tough on gibs and dovetail ways, not very rigid, and you can't see the tool bit very well. For a world revolving primarily around right hand threads, why isn't the headstock on the RIGHT, where the operator can position the tool into a very minimal relief groove (or nearly against a shoulder feature), engage the half nuts, and have a sip of coffee while watching the tool go safely away from the work features and lathe chuck?