how about a lathe?

[Tarnacc]

I am a handy kind of guy and I love my tools but one thing I have never had or used is a lathe. I never really had a need for one I guess. Since I have been modding I drive aroud thinking about ways to build stuff and I often think about what kind of options a benchtop lathe would open for me. Also this morning a buddy of mine came to me to say he and his wife wanted to open a vaping shop and he wanted to talk to me about making hardware for the store which got me thinking again about a lathe.

I mentioned making hardware for a retial outlet but that is not really my focus right now. Right now I am interested in getting something that I can cut my teeth on, make some mods, fix broken stuff around the house and maybe come up with some design ideas for the store. At some point later if it makes sense I can look at something more capable of churning out mods in numbers.

I know some of the folks here use them and was hoping someone might be able to offer some advice about what kind of lather I might be interested in looking for and where to buy them.

 

[slimest]

Just buy a lathe and enjoy. Choose what you like. What else?

 

[Killjoy1]

I agree. They aren't really all that hard to use, all you really need is some practice and a little patience. Since you've never used one, I recommend starting off turning softer materials like aluminum, brass or wood at first, if for no other reason than practice. Stainless takes a little more patience and good quality cutting tools, but can still be turned nicely even on a small or inexpensive lathe

 

[yo vapo]

This thread may (or may not) be useful to you.
I was looking pretty hard at a small one Grizzly sells (Grizzly being mentioned in that thread). I'm not a machinist, but the little 7x12 seems like it should do.
Good luck; you have my attention.

 

[ibreathagain]

i bought a benchtop lathe for the same reasons. the one i got was a miromark 16", top of the line for small benchtops. i bought mine for the purpose of making lexan tanks because i just couldnt seem to get hold of a "map" tank. now everyone carries them for like 12$. i dont however believe it will hold up for production work. if your serious about production i suggest you spend the extra for a larger machine that can handle working steel. jmho. my skill and experience levels being similar to yours. harbor frieght and tool has them from small to large at good prices, i suggest getting the warranty if you go with them. good luck.

 

[kcofohio]

There are quite a few things to consider if you go this route. Safety being the biggest. Safety equipment, lock-outs, guards, etc. What kind of bits and cutters will you need. Measurement instruments, calipers, dial indicators. Also, how far will you go with it. You may not want to purchase too small, or too large, unless cost is not a problem with having maybe to upgrade later in your endeavor.
Ideally, if you knew someone with a shop so that you could get an idea of what you're shooting for, would be nice.
You might even consider a 3 in 1. Lathe/Drill press/Mill.

 

[lexi60]

You might even consider a 3 in 1. Lathe/Drill press/Mill.

After about a month. I wish I went with a 3 in 1.
In the end a extra 3-400 for a 3 in one is worth it, vs 7-800 for a mill and press.



Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk

 

[bidibulle]

Bonjour a tous,
Je suis moi meme entrain de equiper mon nouveau tour d'occasion,un 7x12 mini-lathe chinois.
Ces lathes son vraiment interessent car les pieces de rechange ne sont pas cher et se trouvent facilement sur le net.
Il faut savoir qu'un lathe peu aussi faire office de fraiseuse avec une equerre de fraisage.
Une mini-fraiseuse peu aussi etre monter a la place du porte outil,la broche du tour peu aussi servir de diviseur.
Des ameliorations sur ce lathe peuvent rendre le tres efficace avec des passes dans l'aluminium de 3mm.
Il faut prendre en compte que seul l'achat du tour ne suffit pas,
Il faut aussi compter les accesoires en plus et cela sans compter les ameliorations a faire soit meme.
Le point faible de ces lathes:
Variateur de vitesse et le moteur electrique.
Point fort:
C'est robuste!!
Sur le mien,je suis entrain d'adapter un spindlle pour mandrin 100mm.
un variateur de frequence triphasées pour controlé la vitesse en ayant de la puissance.
Le meilleur magazin au US ou on peu trouver tous ces lathes et toutes les pieces détachées:
LittleMachineShop.com - tooling, parts, and accessories for bench top machinists
Un point important quand on choisie un lathe pour nous modder,
c'est le passage de broche(spindle bore) qui doit etre minimum de 22mm.
20mm spindle bore,c'est bon,mais 22mm c'est encore mieu parce que le but est de pouvoir usiné au plus pret de la broche/mandrin et aussi pour facilité l'usinage de filetage interieur et exterieur.
(20 et 22mm minimum pour l'utilisation d'accu 18650/18500/18350).
Ces mini lathe peuvent faire le travail comme les gros lathes de grande marque!!!
a bientot.

translation:

Hello all,
I myself am spirit to equip my new trick, used a 7x12 mini-lathe Chinese.
These lathes are interested its really because spare parts are not expensive and are readily available on the net.
Be aware that a small lathe milling machine also serve as a bracket milling.
A little mini-mill also be mounted in place of the tool holder, the lathe spindle as little as a divisor.
Improvements on this lathe can make very effective with passes in aluminum 3mm.
Take into account that only the purchase of the tour is not enough,
We must also mention the accessories and more, not counting the improvements to be even.
The weakness of these lathes:
Frequency converter and the electric motor.
Key point:
It's tough!
On mine, I am about to fit a 100mm chuck spindlle.
a three-phase inverter to control the speed with power.
The best shop in USD or you just find all these lathes and all the spare parts:
LittleMachineShop.com - tooling, parts, and accessories for bench top machinists
An important point when choosing a lathe for us modder,
is the transition from spindle (spindle bore) which must be at least 22mm.
20mm spindle bore is good, but 22mm is even better now because the goal is to be machined at the ready spindle / chuck and also to facilitate the machining of internal and external threads.
(20 and 22mm minimum for the use of rechargeable 18650/18500/18350).
These mini lathe can do the job such as large lathes high marks!
lathes
a bientot.

 

[slimest]

Seems that TS forgot about his question

 

[Tarnacc]

No, Im here I have been at work the last couple of days and could not get on the forums.

Thank you for your replies everyone. I apprecieate your tips and insight. As to the need for heavier equipment for production, I totaly agree with you but that is not my focus right now. Right now I am interested in getting some attainable equipment that is not overly complicated which I can cut my teeeth on. I want to tinker with some desighn ideas and maybe some time down the road I will look in to more stout hardware.

the 3 in 1 is an interesting idea. I would not have known to consider that.

 

[bidibulle]

Bonjour,
Non le 3 en 1 n'est pas bon!!!
Pourquoi?
Parce que si le moteur tombe en panne c'est la machine complete qui est inutilisable!!
La vis mere s'usera beaucoup plus vite car elle devra etre utilisé en tournage comme en fraisage!!
Le prix de revien d'un 3 en 1 est celui du prix d'un lathe et d'une perceuse/fraiseuse.
L'avantage d'avoir un lathe et une perceuse/fraiseuse separé:
deux personnes peuvent travailler!!
si une machine tombe en panne,l'autre fonctionne!!!
une machine qui fonctionne peu aider a reparé l'autre!!
Moin d'usure avec ces deux machines,
le gain de temp de passer d'une machine a l'autre sans rien demonter/adapter pour le travaille a réalisé!!!

Et sachez que il y a le cout de la machine,mais aussi le coup des accesoires qui coutent aussi cher que la machine!!
calculer le budjet:
50% pour le prix de la machine,
50% pour les accesoires,
100%=travail réalisable/projet réalisable!!!
L'un n'ira pas sans l'autre!!!
Avec la machine seul vous ne pourez rien faire!!!
Avec les accesoires seul,vous ne pourez rien faire!!!
Avec la machine,les accesoires et votre dexterité,le projet sera réalisable.
Acheter un ensemble machine et accesoires plutot que separément.
Renseignez vous dans les lieux d'apprentissage/lycée s'il ne vende pas ces machines d'occasion,s'il change leur parck de machine part des neuves,sa pourrai etre interessent car le plus souvent leur machines sont de tres bonne marque(EMCO) et complete avec tous leurs accesoires!!!

translation:

Hello,
Not the 3 in 1 is not good!
Why?
Because if the engine fails it is the complete machine is unusable!
The screw will wear out much faster because it will be used as milling shooting!
The price returned from a 3 in 1 is the price of a lathe and drill / milling machine.
The advantage of having a lathe and a drill / milling machine separately:
two people can work!
if a machine fails, the other works!
a machine that works just help repair the other!
Less wear with these two machines,
gain time to move from one machine to another without disassemble / adapt the work carried out!

And know that there is the cost of the machine, but the scope of the accessories that cost as much as the machine!
calculate the budjet:
50% for the price of the machine,
50% for accessories,
100% = achieved work / project possible!
One without the other will not!
With one machine to do anything you do!
With the only accessories you will not to do anything!
With the machine, accessories and your dexterity, the project is feasible.
Buy a set machine and accessories rather than separately.
Find yourself in the places of learning / school if he does not sell these machines, if they change their parck machine from new, it could be are interested because their machines are usually of very good marks (EMCO) and complete with all their accessories!

Bonne chance pour votre achat et projet.