Amongst the many copies of the original pre-WW2 South Bend 9-inch lathe - those known include Blomqvist, Boxford, Hercus, Joinville, Moody, Sanches Blanes, Sheraton, Smart & Brown, Storebro and Boffelli & Finazzi - the basic versions made by Purcell probably stayed unchanged for the longer than any other. However, it appears likely from catalogue dates that Purcell were the first to follow South Bend down the "Underdrive" route - a design pioneered for small lathes by Sheldon in the USA. By fitting the lathe to a self-contained stand, it was possible to offer schools and engineering training organisations a machine with many of the more dangerous elements safely locked away from the attentions of straying fingers.
Purcell offered at least two underdrive stands, one a complete unit with storage cupboards and the other a very unusual  poverty version with the right-hand section replaced by a simple leg..