First Lathe questions

[Rongee]

I've been looking at some equipment from Little Machine Shop.com, and was wondering if you guys had any thoughts or opinions.

For a lathe, I was thinking about this one, a 7 x 16 lathe......

https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5100&category=
There are a couple of versions of this model. Here is the "deluxe" version
https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5200&category=1271799306

For a mill, I was considering this one...

https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3990&category=

Those would leave with some budget for optional items and such.

Any thoughts are always appreciated both in regards to this dealer, as well as the equipment.

thanks again.

Ron

 

[deverett]

As ever, depends on what you want to use your machines for. Provided your projects will fit within the capabilities of the machines, they should do very well for you.

No doubt when you have got your machines installed you will want to make 'improvements' to them.
Here are a couple of links to yahoo groups that could be of interest:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/7x12minilathe/info
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Mini-Mills/info
There may well be others once you have got a bit of experience.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[Mac McCaskie]

Thanks everyone for their reply's, they've been very helpful. I've decided on one of Grizzly's 10 x 22" Bench-top Metal Lathes. They have 4 versions of it so it must be a popular size. They come with variable motor or not and with DRO or not.

Should I go with the variable motor or not? I'm leaning toward the variable but am concerned about low end torque, or is that not really and issue? They call it TEFC Induction with belt drive. I'm sure everyone has opinions, and I'll be glad to hear anyone's with some experience.

Both of the DRO versions are out of stock and who knows when they will get more. Do I wait or not? My inclination is not. Who knows, maybe the store will offer a nice discount on their DRO aftermarket kits, and maybe not.

My initial setup shopping list is almost complete, I feel like a kid just before Christmas

Thanks again,

 

[Rudy from Norway]

Mac, I thing you decided for the right machine. The smaller ones are very fine, but this size is more rigid. Mine sits on top of a flimsy bench and I have no problems. I fitted DRO to mine with ease, so if it is expensive, just put it on later. I have some of these (pic). Cheap and works fine.
Just for a tip, I had mine on the baseplate of the crate it came in when I hauled it up the stairs to the second floor. Removed the tail stock and all the bits and pieces in the box of cause, so the weight was reduced considerably.
Can't say anything about VFD (Variable frequency drive) as mine has a gear box. However, the torque is much better when using 3 phase VFD compared to single phase variable speed motors. I have never ever heard my lathe motor struggling to keep up the pace so I believe there is some margin.

Rudy

 

[Rongee]

Mac,

I'm certainly no expert, but as I've been doing my own shopping, I looked at the Grizzly and I think you'll enjoy working with it. I decided to look at smaller machines because the Grizzly at that size, at over 400 pounds, was going to be too much to wrestle down into my basement shop.

It's shopping time! Enjoy!

Ron

 

[Mac McCaskie]

Rudy and Ron, thanks. I checked the web site and the variable motor is 3-Phase, I feel more comfortable about it now. Yep, I am concerned about weight and was planning on stripping it down to clean it out, inspect and get familiar with it anyway. We shall see who or what wins the battle going downstairs.

Next: shopping for beginner projects, ho ho ho!

Thanks all, mac