Lathe

[Anonymous-0]

We got a harbor freight flier in the mail today. They show a lathe(small one) 7x10 precision lathe that I think would be a great asset to our garage shop.Could turn small bushings, armatures etc. The price seems fair, so I"m seriously considering buying it. Never ran one but not to old to learn. Whats you fellows thoughts? Phil. P.S. Lot # 93212

 

[Gun guru]

The new paint on those "Lathes" arent worth much.

You are better off buying an old South Bend or whatever for $1500 and it will last a long time. The cheap imported junk from the Orient wont last long. I would love to have a good condition used Clausing Colchester, 17 inch swing with english and metric threading. (Save my nickels I guess)

 

[TimV]

Buy it. You'll be absolutely amazed how much you can do with it. I've had mine for years and have made hundreds of things with it, the latest being a set of golf cart clutch buttons over the weekend for a buddy. The only thing I'd do if I were you is step up just a bit to the 12" or 14" bed model--same thing but a bit longer bed, and you'll really appreciate the extra room. Other thoughts are to get a quick change tool post if it doesn't come with one--they make ones to fit it for around $100 and it's money well spent. Also make sure the one you get has a tail stock and drill chuck. The site below is one excellent source of info, including a "variations" page that lists the different models that are sold. There's a half dozen or more different retailers that sell the same basic lathe, so don't think you have to buy the HF one--you may get a better deal elsewhere. Mine is a Cummins, from when Cummins did the traveling tool shows, but just compare features and see which brand offers the best deal--the base lathes are pretty much identical and accessories from other companies are usually drop-in fits as well.
mini lathe site

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks Tim, We'll take a look.
Phil

 

[Anonymous-0]

I agree on finding an older Southbend, Logan, Sheldon or something similar. Heck, I bought a decent Hardinge HLV-H for $2,000 , and use it daily at the shop.

I ran a 17 inch Colchester for 5 years, that is a great lathe... Everyone wants one, and they are getting hard to find.

 

[36 Coupe]

I have an old Atlas lathe that dates before 1934.Many of these lathes were sold with the Craftsman label.Import lathes are showing up with the South Bend name on them.I would use an import lathe before I would do with out one.

 

[kaferhaus]

The problem with the little baby lathes is that you're severely limited in what you can do with them. For a few bucks more you can find a real lathe that will actually do some work.

I've owned one of the micro lathes and by the time I bought a longer bed, QC tool post etc I could have bought a used 12x36 and had something to work with.

Now I have a 14x40 and will never part with it.

 

[Butch(OH)]

While I agree that a used lathe of quality Mfg can be a better tool for the home shop problems abound with them too. Some are easy for anyone to see, some require experance with a lathe to know, some cannot be found by anyone until powered up. For my dollar any used lathe that cannot be viewed under power is weight X scrap price, especialy if it has an enclosed gear Norton type quick change box. Best thing would be to find an old machinest looking for something to do and take him along when used shopping. Run away from most "bare" machines as they will do nothing except take up floor (or bench) space. You also need tooling and some of it is hard to find for an older machine. Most of the time fully tooled machines are waay cheaper than bare plus the cost of tooling. Back to your H-F model, I know of one of those a fellow uses for hobby work and it seems to be doing OK. Thet are on sale every few months minus $100. Personaly I would go a bit larger if I was looking for a mini bench lathe. Reason being that just fitting over the ways and cross slide or between the centers is a far cry from being able to do something with the part once there,,, you will find out.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 03:52:27 08/03/11) The problem with the little baby lathes is that you're severely limited in what you can do with them. For a few bucks more you can find a real lathe that will actually do some work.

I've owned one of the micro lathes and by the time I bought a longer bed, QC tool post etc I could have bought a used 12x36 and had something to work with.

Now I have a 14x40 and will never part with it.

Not only are you limited because of the size, if you ever attempt to make a cut deeper than just a polishing cut, the spindle will twist, and then you've got nothing but an expensive paper weight.

 

[Coloken]

I Don't have the HF one, but a 7x12 like it from China. It is a quality lathe for what it was made for. I made a model steam engine with mine. But Wish it was able to handle a gun barrel. I enjoy it very much. I would recommend though, that you look for a used larger one. Look for a forum on the internet for mine lathe or something like that. Tools are cheap from China.

 

[Anonymous-0]

We had a Hendey 14-30 it was a nice lathe but down sized to a Craftsman a third of the size of the Hendey. Didn't have the need for a lathe that size.

 

[RedRoundhead]

I'm a machinist, and I have made good parts on crap machines, and crap parts on good machines. Mostly depends on the operator. However, if you are looking to do to do very high precision work, you will be limited by how much you pay. Precision spindle bearings are one of the most expensive parts of the machine. As a hobby tool, it is whatever you can afford. Don't count on getting much of your money back if you later decide to upgrade. You will own that chinese lathe.

 

[Steckmeyer]

Eight years ago I bought a Grizzly 9X20 lathe. The same lathe is sold by HF among others. As it turns out it was more of a kit. When I was done I added a 5" Bison 3 jaw chuck, quick change tool post, 4 bolt compound clamp and DC drive. I spent more on the improvements and tooling (maybe twice as much) than the lathe cost. It is a great lathe and extremely accurate and precise.

Three years ago I bought a Grizzly 12 X 36 gap bead lathe. With shipping it was about 1.5 time as expensive as the 9 X 20 list price. It came with a very precise 3 jaw chuck and quick change tool post. It has a power cross feed and is an excellent lathe for gun smithing as well as tractor repairs. I have not needed to perform any modifications on this machine.

Ten years ago a fellow at the Cool Spring Stationary Engine Museum told me "You can make small parts on a big lathe but you can't make big parts on a small lathe".

You will have fun with what ever you buy.