I see so many conflicting opinions on this topic even more so than table saws.
For me the most important features will be accuracy and quality. Yes thats loaded but i mean even a smaller lathe for softer metals would be better if its highly accurare.
I cant stand lack of attention to quality and it drives me nuts i obsess over it.
The Sherline mini lathes look decent and they have CNC/stepper conversion options which is really nice. They do look a bit weak though with lots of aluminum.
I wish the geek group was closer i could get a look at some quality tools :)
One thing to keep in mind is i want to use these tools to build better versions of themselves.. so building a more accurate lathe with a less accurate lathe.. impossible?
----- Reply message -----
From: "Stan Gray" <wsmg@xxxxxxx>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [TCML] Wanted tabletop metal lathe
Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2015 9:56 PM
I bought one at a rummage sale once for $75 and it was an excellent little 4". I forget the bed length, I think it was around 18". It was a old Atlas that Sears sold as a Craftsman probably from the 50s to 60s. It was all metal not like the piece of s*** they switched to that had a lot plastic parts.
From: bill <william_b_noble@xxxxxxx>
To: 'Tesla Coil Mailing List' <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] Wanted tabletop metal lathe
I will point out that "real" metal lathes aren't always expensive - I bought
a 100 year old one for $20 at a garage sale, so it is probably worth looking
around. By the way, also avoid like the plague the little atlas lathe that
sears used to sell - it is one of the worst of the worst.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jonathan Peakall
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 5:32 PM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [TCML] Wanted tabletop metal lathe
I agree, and you just saved me a good bit of typing. I have a china lathe
and it is quite useful for some things and other things I do on my friends
"real" lathe. I have no room or money, so it is a lot better than nothjing
for me.
Jonathan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 4:09 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] Wanted tabletop metal lathe
> On 11/23/15 3:04 PM, miles waldron wrote:
>> Those China machines are terrible and unusable.
>
> I'll beg to differ, a bit..
>
> It depends on your expectations. If you're looking at doing production
> work with tight tolerances, yep, they're not what you should be looking
> at.
>
> If you're looking for something to spin down raw stock to make bushings
> and the like, particularly out of aluminum or plastic, they're probably
> just fine.
>
> If you're a stickler for accuracy, and want tenths of a mil kind of
> precision when turning a long steel bar, or are machining gun barrels or
> something, I wouldn't get one of these. Or if you want it to last 50
> years, machining every day.
>
>
> things you don't get on this class of machine:
> lots of speeds.. OTOH, variable speed drives are so cheap now, unless you
> need the increased torque from "gearing down", you might be better off
> getting a VSD and living with the gear ratios you get.
>
> screw thread cutting with lots of options. It will probably cut a few
> ratios, but not all of them. If what you're interested in is making a
> helical groove as a guide for an inductor, it's probably plenty good.
> If you're looking to make whitworth threads to replace parts on your turn
> of the 19th century Austin 8HP motorcar, probably not.
>
> A variety of accessories.. it will likely have weird sizes, so if you want
> to use that cool jig for turning hemispheres that fits on a "standard
> lathe tool post", it probably won't work.
>
>
> Many traditional machinists don't like these machines: the casting just
> isn't that big so they lack the brute stiffness of a multi ton cast
> structure, so if you try to take too big a cut, things wobble and bend.
>
>
> It's sort of like using a drill press as a vertical mill (by clamping an
> end mill in the jacobs chuck, and using a x-y table). The drill press
> isn't designed to take side loads on the quill bearings, but, if what
> you're machining is polyethylene or even aluminum, it probably won't be
> horrible. The runout is bigger than you'd get on an old Bridgeport, and
> the X-Y lead screws will not be as even and will have backlash. But if
> you're cutting to a scribed line, and 0.01" accuracy is good enough, then
> it will work.
>
>
> Think of them as something between a "real machine tool" and something
> like a handheld Dremel tool.
>
> With respect to conversions..
> It's all about bracketry and software. Either someone has figured out how
> to hook the stepper/servo motors up to your specific machine, or they
> haven't. If they haven't it's a lot of work.
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> On 11/23/2015 4:50 PM, msweeney23@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>> I was looking at those and realize they are all made in the same factory
>>> in china (central machinery, grizzly etc)
>>>
>>> ive seen a lot of quality complaints and am a stickler for accuracy. Im
>>> afraid id end up pulling it apart to replace various items.
>>>
>>> Also i might like to upgrade later to cnc stepper motors not sure if its
>>> as easy on these as others.
>>>
>>> Do you experience with this brand and model?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Matt
>>>
>>> ----- Reply message -----
>>> From: "Dave Leddon" <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
>>> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Subject: [TCML] Wanted tabletop metal lathe
>>> Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2015 11:53 AM
>>>
>>> http://littlemachineshop.com/5100
>>> http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4959
>>>
>>> At 09:09 AM 11/23/2015, you wrote:
>>>> Table top Metal lathe>>
>>>>
http://www.sears.com/grizzly-9inch-x-19inch-bench-lathe/p-SPM1126610614?hlSe
llerId=29429&sid=IDx20110310x00001i&kpid=SPM1126610614&kispla=SPM1126610614
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message----- From: msweeney23@xxxxxxxxx
>>>> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2015 12:01 PM
>>>> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
>>>> Subject: [TCML] Wanted tabletop metal lathe
>>>>
>>>> Hi all, im looking to buy a decent metal lathe for small project
>>>> work. I want something to turn up to 3-4 inches maybe less all
>>>> metals and plastics some wood.
>>>>
>>>> Used is fine if in good condition. If you know anyone selling or
>>>> have suggestions please so let me know.
>>>>
>>>> Price range flexible probably not more than a couple thousand would
>>>> like to spend less than $1000.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> Matt
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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>> _______________________________________________
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>
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