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Mini Machine Lathe

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Focker, Jun 10, 2017.

  1. Jun 10, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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  2. Jun 10, 2017
    47v6

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    It is a fine little lathe to learn on, but you will outgrow it was soon as you learn how to use it. Maybe you can learn how to make threads on it. That would be cool.
     
  3. Jun 10, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    what's the hold up :whistle: too many projects .
    garage tool
    man can't have too many :)
     
  4. Jun 10, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Sure is cute. Especially if space is tight.

    For the same money you could find a vintage full-size classic American made industrial lathe.
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  5. Jun 10, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    You really want something a bit bigger. I've got a 10 X 18 & it's not *quite* big enough :(

    B2227 lathe

    As for new import vs. old domestic the old iron is nice if it's been lightly used/not abused but if you're not carefull the machine you bought for doing projects becomes a project. :whistle:

    And...

    You'll spend as much on the tooling as you do the machine :(

    H.
     
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  6. Jun 10, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    My clausing 6300 series lathe is something like a 14" throw and something like 4' between centers. I paid something like 700 bucks for it with a pile of tooling. It was made sometime in the early to mid 60's. Its variable speed and 3 phase. Its mostly big enough for anything I do. The addition of collets for work holding is a great investment as my 3 jaw scroll chuck is worn out. The 4 jaw non scroll is fine though. You get faster at truing your work. I am no machinist but i taught myself how to mostly use it. I would buy the biggest one you can fit in your shop area. Chances are real good you wont be able to sell it for less than what you pay for a good used tool. The little one you're looking at is fine if you want to do small scale stuff. You might also want to figure out how to grind your own tool bits. HSS works just fine to start off.
     
  7. Jun 10, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    I found a big one for a friend on CL last summer. It was $800 and came with a massive pile of tooling. It's 3 phase and he made a special wing (addition) to his shop for it. I can use it anytime I want. There's just something to be said about making your own stuff at the convenience of your own place.
     
    cadwelder, Twin2 and 47v6 like this.
  8. Jun 26, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    The one I first posted is gone (or at least, deleted). What's the opinion on these compact ones?

    LATHE //MILLING MACHINE
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Jun 26, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    It depends on what your ultimate goal is to make with your tools but the general consensus on combo machines is don't waste your money- the combo units lack any sort of rigidity for milling & the capacity will leave you wanting more. The combos do have an impressive lathe swing for their size but again rigidity & a lack of power to handle it will be issues.

    Useless Smithy 1220

    https://www.google.ca/search?q=mill...&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=L5FRWefnMMXZ-gH5zIWwDw


    I've had my lathe for about 10 or 12 years & it did just about everything I wanted to do. I also wanted a mill but couldn't justify getting one until last year when I picked up a Rong Fu RF30.


    H.
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2017
    Focker likes this.
  10. Jun 26, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    The last lathe as will as the first one shown doesn't seem to have the ability to thread as there is no gear changes that I can see.........nor a threaded lead screw......buy something a little bigger 10-14" with a 36-40" bed, but getting the right tooling is just about as important as the lathe itself...........no tooling would disqualify most lathes.
     
    Focker likes this.
  11. Jun 26, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    There are a ton of cheap Chinese , Japanese , off shore lathes that have come onto the scene over the last several decades............and for the most part many of those will still cut & repeat within a .0005 thousands.
    Older American , German , British , Austrian lathes are still in demand , but the reality is that most would be hard pressed to still be within .001-.0005 in tolerance...........and replacement parts for many of these older machines are probably long gone.

    In your garage I'm sure you would be happy with a lathe that could hold .001-.003 along it's travel....................just like buying a car, stuff that has been abused or roughed up is not going to be very tight.

    Look around , they are out there as the aging retired machinist are growing older every day...............tooling on the wish list : A 3-Jaw Chuck, A 4-Jaw, Face Plate, Live center, Steady rest, Follow rest, Drill chuck, Collet closer and chuck, tool holder and and cutting tools, threading tools including some lathes may come with a set of metric gears to do metric threading............if it has travel-dials or DRo's on it .......more the better.
     
  12. Jun 27, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Small combo machines like that in post #8 are great for model makers and hobbyists. As the previous posts state, real machines can actually make/modify the parts we need for our projects. You can get into a decent machine for double (or less) the price of that small combo machine, but they do take up more space.
    I picked up a Clausing Metosa c1330 (made in Spain, I wish it was an English Colchester!) a couple years ago from a State auction up in Ga. Its big enough to do most things I've needed, and came with a 3 jaw, taper attachment, tool holders, live center, steady rest, and a few more accessories. It has a dro, and will cut both SAE and metric threads; all this for under $2000 including the truck rental to bring it home.
    I picked up a real nice Bridgeport J-head (mid-80's vintage) locally for $1500, so the deals are out there if you keep your eye out. I'm selling off my previous mid-60's version of the same for a bit less.
    Like Tarry said, there are a lot of machinists retiring and selling off their equipment. My brother just picked up a modern cnc Bridgeport from an old guy closing his shop, so my brother is having fun learning machine work all over again.
    Figure out the size machine that will meet your needs, then start searching! (That, and the space you have to set it up)
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2017
  13. Jun 27, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Thanks guys... The price for the combo would have to be ultra cheap for me to bring it home.
     
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