Although Emco built larger lathes, the Maximat Super 11 at 5.5" centre height and 25.6" between centres was the largest machine in their range designed to appeal to both professionals and the more enthusiastic home engineer. With a hardened bed as standard it was available in both metric and English versions with a 3 mm pitch leadscrew on the former and 8 t.p.i. on the latter. Eight, geared spindle speeds from 55 to 2200 r.p.m were provided from a two-speed single or three-phase motor producing approximately 0.75 kW and 1.0 kW on low and high speeds respectively; drive from motor to lathe was by Poly-V belt. A 1" hole was provided through the spindle that boasted a large 4 Morse taper fitting. A screwcutting gearbox was standard, as were independent power sliding and surfacing feeds driven by a clutch-protected power shaft below the leadscrew. The leadscrew drive was fitted with an aluminium shear pin - and on no account should this be replaced by anything stronger. The feeds were both controlled from one convenient lever positioned at the tailstock end of the apron. Various types of electrical control gear were available, as were electrical safety packages and interlocks designed to appeal to educational and training establishments.
First-hand reports from owners of these machines seem to indicate that they are capable of sustained hard work and accuracy. For the most part the headstock (with its heat-treated gears) runs quietly and the only reported fault is a tendency for the layshaft to develop a little end play - a problem that is easily fixed.