Lathe Recommendations
Hey guys; I have a question for those of you who are experienced machinists. For recreational purposes, such as making parts for our rifles, what lathe (Equipment) would you recommend? I want something affordable but, I want a machine capable of holding tolerances close enough to make usable parts. It’s a little ironic because, in my real life, I manage a CNC lathing department for a Japanese company, consisting on 17 lines with a total of 24 twin spindle lathes, producing bevel gears for Ford and Honda Motor. The lathes we use (Muratec) are a little more than what I’m looking for 😆 While experienced in operating a CNC lathe, I know virtually nothing about a manual. Your suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks,
Gene
All Replies
I am in agreement.
The small spindles of the used American and British lathes are confining to say the least. While I get the sentiment I find it somewhat amusing.
That $3000 Chinese lathe makes it possible for a great many folk to enjoy their homeshop machining. Such was not possible for a good many of us when lathes just were not available and a new lathe well forget it.
So I am grateful for the Chinese tools and for the increased performance they offer today.
My Kingston 20×80 with 3 1/2″ spindle bore is an absolutely beautiful machine made in Taiwan!!!
My mill is a Holke 10×54 made in Brazil and is of excellent quality.
So my advise is the same for the OP buy the largest spindle bore you can afford. That will often dictate the size and quality of your machine.
There will be nothing more frustrating than choosing a Southbend over a Grizzly then fight with that pathetic spindle hole for the life of the machine.
Walter…
ive seen a few lathes in my time and i have one of the chiness ones 12 x39 , i think grizzly sells them , it works great and has for many years . it has a back gear down to 40 rpm , its was cheap and strong , i like it more then the south bend’s or atlas ,by far . i have used bigger machins aswell , but for a small home one ,, the grizzly / craftex / chiness stuff will work great . for $2000 -4000 they are a ok machine .
american built lathes…… like which ones for example?
Do you read the post or just part of them?? here is what I said..
ebay is full of older cincinnatti,leblond and hardinge lathes that will last forever..
and yep.. my new lathe WAS Made in America..[/img]
american built lathes…… like which ones for example?
South Bend Heavy 10
Hardinge Tool Room Lathe
Atlas/Craftsman
LeBlond (probably too large for most)
Expect to pay for something decent. You can buy a brand new chinese machine for about a grand. Watch for a good deal on an American one for about the same price. With a used machine, sometimes you will get the tooling and accessories as part of the package.
I have a SB 10K. Came with DRO and some tooling for $1200. It swings 10″ and has a 4 1/2 foot bed. The only drawback on mine is the hole through the spindle, about 3/4″ plus, and it hasn’t bothered me too much. The DRO kicks ass. Mine is mounted on a 1″ thick table that’s a heavy muthafucka to move, but is pretty much vibration free.
Here’s a typical example snagged tonight, but from a month ago:
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/934612941.html
right………
american built lathes…… like which ones for example?
What ever you get just make sure you have the ability to move it once it gets to your house. 😀
Or for that matter have the ability to get it off the truck .
If you have craigslist in your area, check it daily. There’s almost always a metal lathe or two in my local CL. You should be able to find a good one at a decent price if you look around a while.
The Machinist is right. While chinese might get you by, a good old American lathe will last and last.
Buy the book “How to run a Lathe” by South Bend. If it isn’t in there, you probably don’t need to know it. And, it’s written in English, not chinglish. Anyone who has read the “manual” for a chinese lathe will know what I mean.
As the Machinist says, ” DONT BUY CHINESE!!!”
Langnasen bought a ‘British’ lathe, made in China. Supposed to be closely monitored and QA’ed by the Brit’ owners… Yeah, my arse .
Does the job now, but not until no end of grief and fudging about.
Everyone is different..I would try and beat the parts out with a claw hammer and a brick before I would buy a Chinese lathe..ebay is full of older cincinnatti,leblond and hardinge lathes that will last forever..I have a cin. lathe that was made in 1954 and it has been in everyday use in my shop for 25 years..It turns as true as a new one..The worst part about the imports is the cheap castings, and plastic gears..plus when something breaks it very hard to get replacement parts. just my 2 cents worth… 😉
8)
Buy the largest spindle bore your budget will allow.
I would consider the 12×36 gunsmith lathe from Grizzly tools as a good basic model.
Good luck and make chips when you ain’t shooting 🙂
Merry Christmas
Walter…
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Walter…
Walter..I expected a bigger bore hole from you.. one of mine has a 4 1/8 spindle bore..