Machinist Lathe?

[Revved]

Ok guys... I'm looking for an decently priced machinist lathe. I've got a machine shop that cuts all of my big stuff but they are just killing me when I need small things done quickly. Cutting spacers from round stock, turning small items..etc... you guys know the kind of small stuff we run into building cars that you could knock out in a few minutes if you had a lathe on hand... Precision is top concern obviously but I've got to balance features vs. price as well. Durability is a concern since I'll likely be using this on a regular basis.

The most common items I'll be cutting are spacers out of round stock mostly around .750 or 1.0" dia and 2-3" but maybe as long as 5" on a rare occasion. Largest diameter I can think of was machining a recess in a spacer that was around 6" dia. And on this last project I had him machine a 3" dia, 2" thick pulley spacer out of solid round stock. So nothing too crazy...


I've seen that Baleigh has their small lathe listed on their website for right around a grand but was wondering who owns one and how its holding up?

http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/bench-top-lathe-pl-712vs

Their next one up is reasonably priced as well for the size and and market.. Anyone used one of these?

http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/bench-lathe-pl-1022vs

And for about $200 more Jet has one with a stand...

http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/bd-920w-belt-drive-bench-lathe-with-stand/321155K

I know that for a few more bucks I could pick up some 50 year old monstrosity that would cut everything I could ever think of but space is also a consideration.

[coolwelder62]

Check Grizzy tool's,Enco tools also if you want new,just last month enco had free shipping on everything Jet.I see nice used ones in the KC craigslists all the time.Most of them are too small for what I am looking for.

[Revved]

Any experience with the Grizzly's lathes? Call me a skeptic but I get nervous with off brand stuff I've never used.

I should start shopping KC's craigslist... I've been looking for several months and nothing shows up down here in DFW.

[WSSix]

Can't help answer the question but I'm curious about this info as well.

What I can offer is searchtempest.com if you don't already know about the site. It allows you to search craigslist within a certain radius of a zipcode. Keeps you from having to click on each individual city.

Good luck.

[GregWeld]

Grizzly is offshore -- but they have stuff from tiny and cheap to big and expensive. Like most machine tools - it depends on what you want to do with them and the tolerances you need.

I can tell you from experience -- you'll be very sorry with stuff in that $1,000 and 1 to 2 hp range whether it's a mill - lathe - or band saw... You're better off buying used and getting way better stuff --- because these little machines just don't cut it (that's a pun!).


It's the age old - you get what you pay for.


This is an area you really want to do your research in. But first you need to know what you need it for and how it's going to be used. THEN buy the appropriate machine. It's like a useless compressor... nothing worse than having a compressor that can't run your tools so you can accomplish what it is you set out to do.:thumbsup:

[Ruslow]

I agree with Greg you need to look at higher hp machines i started with a 1 hp and if I did a cut of more than.050 if would stall the machine.Now i am at a 10 hp lathe and 5 hp mill.You think the machine is the expense...................... WRONG. the tooling and measuring and set up items will more than double you machine cost.Go to some industrial auctions in your area sometimes the good stuff can be had for a song.Stan

[GregWeld]

OMG Russ --- got a good laugh out of that "tooling costs"! Buy a decent VISE
and you'll spend as much as a cheap azz lathe! Or a set of mills - or collets...
it just goes on and on. But then - that's the fun too! The hunting and gathering of all the "stuff" you need. :thumbsup:

[k7king]

I have a Small Jet lathe and I'm happy with it. I also Have a couple CNC mills and wire edm. I'd be happy to quote making small batch parts for anyone.
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/kingWireInc

[Revved]

I definately understand that you get what you pay for but as stated above I've got someone to do any major cutting that I need... I'm looking for a smaller lathe to handle light duty work. I definately understand if I need to cut .050 off of something in one swing that I'll need a bigger lathe.

I understand the limitations of the $$ range I'm considering- I'm just looking for feedback on what people have bought in this price range. I'm sure there are others in the same situation that have purchased light duty lathes and I'd like to tap into their experiences.

[Sparks67]

Look around for Tool & Die companies that are going out of business. Typically, they have online auctions, where you can view the equipment. Several of my Tool & Die friends have done this and got nice equipment for a low cost. Most Tool & Die companies rarely buy new equipment. I worked for a few back in the late 1980's and they would buy them from auctions.

Jeff

[Revved]

Ok so in talking to a friend i found out he has been shopping combination mill/lathes so I figured I'd do some looking as well. I've read the arguments about how combining them limits the use compared to dedicated units but again I'm only doing small items. Anyone own a combo Mill/ Lathe?

Talking to my machinist his biggest concern would be the HP for cutting steel items. As you guys mentioned above if you don't have enough hp you just end up killing cutting bits and your work piece. We all know horsepower is important in life... just another example.

Baleigh does have a 120v combo unit rated at 1 hp.

http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/mill-drill-lathe-mld-1030

I did find this one which comes 220v capable with a 1.5hp motor.

http://www.boltonhardware.com/category/bolton-tools/metal-lathes-wood-lathes-milling-machines/combo-lathe-mill-drills/12-x-30-gear-head-combo-lathe-mill-drill-w-cooling-system.php


The more I read the more I'm steering away from the 9x20" lathes reading how in stepping up to the 13"x 40ish sizes the quality of machine improves greatly even in China brands. Stronger machine, better tolerances, etc..

[David Pozzi]

I'd go 13" minimum. A larger lathe will use a larger chuck, which means a larger center hole to grab larger workpieces without having them stick way out & be unstable.
You can get more bang for your buck going with used equipment as long as it isn't worn out. There are small machinery dealers who buy out closing shops & sell off the equipment. Don't forget to budget money for tooling. I bought an off brand tool grinder which really helps sharpen to the correct angle. I use a quick change Aloris tool post. I have a 15" lathe & it does 99% of what I need done.
Here's a website with equipment. http://www.machinetools.com/us

[Sparks67]

Here is some places to find lathes. The best lathes are built in the USA. Not sure, why anyone would even look for Chinese brand. I primary used mills, when I was in Tool & Die in the late 1980's. I prefer a 30 year old Bridgeport mill any day over these imports. Anyway, here is some places to buy used lathes and mills.
http://www.toolmachine.com/

http://www.surplusrecord.com/srg/010520.htm

http://www.machinetools.com/us/listings/type/1106?condition=used&o=cn%3Ad&page=1


Jeff

[GregWeld]

The problem for most "HOME" shops is that the REAL machines are 3 phase - and or can be industrial voltages. Then they require all manor of extra stuff to fire 'em up such as converters etc. Then the issue also becomes space as even the smaller industrial equipment is large -- and HEAVY.

However --- I couldn't agree more about your chinese sentiments and buying a good old used version over a cheap azz new one.


I will say -- owning a mill/drill (2 hp single phase Jet) that this is quite the handy machine and the drill press has been relegated to a shelf ever since.... but to call it a "mill" is just sorta wrong. It's really just a super nice drill press. Yes it will 'mill' off some material -- and frankly -- works great for what most home hot rodders are going to be capable of - which is - making a part fit by taking a bit off etc. No way would I make a part with it although I could if I wanted to spend the time. Most of our parts are not down to the 10 thousandths. What it's best at - because of the X Y axis - is to do super accurate holes (drilling or with roto bits... or to slot something etc.

I'd far prefer to own a nice old Bridgeport!

Two best machines in my shed are the Burr Kings... compare these two machines to the "attachment" I bought for a buddy because he helped me on a project -- that turns a bench grinder into a 2" belt grinder...

http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool_2_x_36_inch_1_hp_Belt_Grinder_Bundle_MT3 62_100_Bundle_4311#.UTNk4KUlswE


and it's just OMG are you kidding me. Still.... if it's all ya got - it will work. There is a substantial difference in cost. I personally have the dime and the space to buy what I want - and view it as an "investment in my hobby". I totally get that most aren't so lucky with either the space or being able to pizz away a couple grand on a single machine. There's so many of them that we "need"! :lol:



The Burr Kings I referenced..... Just so people not familiar can see what I'm talking about. Below that is the Jet Mill/ Drill




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/Shop%20Pix/IMG_0746.jpg







http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/Shop%20Pix/IMG_1298.jpg

[Sparks67]

The problem for most "HOME" shops is that the REAL machines are 3 phase - and or can be industrial voltages. Then they require all manor of extra stuff to fire 'em up such as converters etc. Then the issue also becomes space as even the smaller industrial equipment is large -- and HEAVY.




A friend's father is former Tool & Die Maker for General Motors. He has setup a small machine shop in his garage. He has a Bridgeport mill. Not sure on the brand of the lathe. Bridgeport's are heavy... There is posting on a guy putting a bridgeport in his basement.

I have seen Burr King in some home shops and a friends shop too. Never seen the Jet mill in a tool & die shop. There was an Enco mill in
this local steel company that I worked in the past. (25 years ago) That company had hired a former Tool Designer/Tool Maker that worked at Dayton Reliable Tool. (Ermal "Ernie" Fraze owned Dayton Reliable Tool, and his invention was developing the tooling for pop top cans)

Actually, back in the late 80's most of the machine work was done in Tool & Die shops. You really didn't need a mill or lathe at home. Bridgeport's can hold tight tolerance, but it depends on the machinist/tool maker skills. I had a temp Quality Control inspector job back in the early 90's, while I was going back to college for my Engineering degree. The other temp workers didn't know how to mic a part, so I had to stop production. The temp workers was off about .040", because of relying on the ratchet mechanism of the micrometer. The temp workers never was trained on how to accurately measure a part. They was tightening down the mic too tight.

http://bluechipmachineshop.com/bc_blog/?p=443

Here is post on moving a lathe into a basement...

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/10386-How-I-got-my-Monarch-CK-12-in-my-walk-in-basement

Here is one of the most popular methods for the wiring. Rotary Phase Converter.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/transformers-phase-converters-vfd/rotary-phase-converter-designs-plans-101231/

Here is a small setup of mill and lathe in home shop. Found it on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeeutHA7n78

http://youtu.be/VeeutHA7n78