Advice -point me to a Good small shop metal lathe

[afterburn 549]

What is the best bang for the buck>?
One the might turn guides, remove stock , and other small projects and hold center .
Re locate uide bores in heads.
just littkle stuff.
This one looks interesting, But i am lathe dumb.
Advice appreciated.
thanx


https://www.amazon.com/SHOP-M1018-Small-Combo-Lathe/dp/B001R23SB8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1517273297&sr=8-5&keywords=Metal+Lathe+For+Sale

Or-
one of these?
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_metal-fabrication+lathes-lathe-accessories+lathes

[908/930]

Hi, not sure what is the best bang for the buck, but I think if you want a lathe pick up a lathe only if you need a mill pick up a separate machine. The height of spindle from the bed makes me think that it will not be very rigid, and the tool will chatter a lot. Possibly work for what you are trying to do if you are taking micro cuts.

Small lathes are handy to have around though, finally getting mine re-powered after 4 years.

[ltusler]

I would check over on Garage Journal.

[afterburn 549]

What kind is yours?
The stuff I need to do needs to be done with accuracy, so a hobbyist lathe may be on the loose side?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by ltusler

I would check over on Garage Journal.

OK place and I post a lot but machinist forums are better 'bang for the buck'.

No room in that machine for what you want to do. Get a decent vertical mill and a metal lathe. You can be all in for less than 4K and maybe closer to 3K if you take your time. I have one of those 3 in 1 machines just like what is pictured and it serves me well on small parts for general repairs. I would not do any real "machining" on it.

If you don't know how to compensate for 'tolerances' on any machine you have a long way to go and a less than quality machine ain't gonna help you get there.

[LWJ]

Buy used. My Dad is a machine tool hoarder. Lots of high quality second hand lathes. A manual lathe just isn't in high demand in 2018. Check auctions, Craigslist and similar. You will get better and pay a fraction.

[afterburn 549]

Thanx so far,
Give me a bone here .
What would be good brands and models?
Or what to stay away from?
I have heard all the Chinese stuff is absolute junk.
I do know their bearings are made out of bubble gum, so it is probably true.

[motley911]

My lathe is one of the most used tools in my shop.
I have a Logan 922. it has an 11" swing and a 36" bed - ideal for most jobs around the garage. Built in 1950's and I can still purchase parts for it.
Here is an image of a similar model from the web.



I brought it local on Craigslist for $400. Needed a good cleanup and repaint. Good deals on 2nd hand machines can be had.

There is a lot that needs to be considered when buying a lathe
- type of work you are planning to do
- single phase / 3 phase
- spare parts availability
- tooling / type of tool holders
- work holding (chucks, face plates, steady rests)
- inch or metric screw cutting
- etc.

Typically if you buy 2nd hand you can benefit from someone else collecting all of the needed "extras" (tooling, chucks, drill chucks etc.) - at a reasonable cost.

If you are looking at 2nd hand for use in an average garage I would recommend:
- Logan
- Southbend
- Clausing / Colchester

If you are looking at new machines I would suggest looking at Grizzly Industrial. Most of their reasonably priced models are from "Asian" origins however the quality is pretty decent. They have models in nearly every size and need. They also have a no hassle delivery service. I have no affiliation - other than I recently purchased a pedestal drill, stomp shear and pan brake from them - so can speak from experience.

Metal Lathes - Grizzly.com

Richard.

[afterburn 549]

Thanx!

[LWJ]

My Dad has LOVED his Southbend since I was a tyke. I am over AARP age now.

[908/930]

I have a Harrison M250, have not used it in years but would call it light duty, did a lot of machining years ago on larger machines and hop back to one of these and it is sort of a toy, but still great for home use, just lacks the ability to take a 1/4 inch cut in stainless steel. The downside of the more ridged machines is weight, the old solid machines are a pain to move. The M250 is about 1100lbs.

A lot of the older industrial machines will be three phase power, so it will need a motor swap or inverter drive for home use, try to stay less then 2hp for running an inverter.

[908/930]

Probably the best out there is a Hardinge HLV-H, but they are very expensive, but the nicest small lathe that I have ever used.

Any idea what tolerance you need to work to? And material selection?

[asphaltgambler]

Also those 3-in-1 machines tool bits can cost a small fortune by the time you buy all the needed stuff. A guy I work with has one and he said he has as much in the tooling as the machine. He said if he had it to do over again would buy a small real lathe and then separate mill

[cmccuist]

I see Monarch 10ee's show up on Craig's list every few months. Really heavy, excellent lathes. The South Bend Heavy 10 is good too and can be had for around $2,000.

I wouldn't shy away from a 3 phase motor either. A variable frequency drive (VFD) can be purchased for around $100 for a 1-2 hp motor.

[afterburn 549]

Good info guys. thanx! (so far)

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cmccuist

I see Monarch 10ee's show up on Craig's list every few months. Really heavy, excellent lathes. The South Bend Heavy 10 is good too and can be had for around $2,000.

There went 20 mins of my life watching youtube vids. The Monarch is sweet.

They are up to 75 years old. How do you know it has not been turning train wheels that whole time?

[Don Ro]

burn,
.
My neighbor is a freak. A 3,000 sq. ft. 5 bedroom house...only one room has his bed.
The rest of the house is filled with lathes, mills, and every machinists toy imaginable. His patio is also filled with good stuff.
We all love going into his place...it smells like a shop.
.
If you want, I will ask him if he'll take your phone call. I'm guessing he will...he loves talking tools. Let me know via this thread and I'll pass along his # to you.
He's a bachelor, BTW.
.
Don

[afterburn 549]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

burn,
.
My neighbor is a freak. A 3,000 sq. ft. 5 bedroom house...only one room has his bed.
The rest of the house is filled with lathes, mills, and every machinists toy imaginable. His patio is also filled with good stuff.
We all love going into his place...it smells like a shop.
.
If you want, I will ask him if he'll take your phone call. I'm guessing he will...he loves talking tools. Let me know via this thread and I'll pass along his # to you.
He's a bachelor, BTW.
.
Don

I PM it to you
thanx !

[Don Ro]

I texted him with info. Let us know if he responds.

[Racerbvd]

I have a friend with a nice Bridgeport for sale, with bits. Located in Jacksonville.