Looking for a decent mini lathe in EU

[laukejas]

Hi, I've had 2 years of experience working on old USSR lathes, but now I need a mini lathe for my home hobby projects, something that I could carry around and clamp down to a heavy table in the living room (don't have a shop). So probably around 40-60kg for the machine. 7x12", 7x14" or 7x16" would be ideal. Plan to turn aluminum, brass, stainless steel (304 or 316) - I know that last one is problematic for mini machines, but I'm okay with taking very light cuts. My budget is 1500€. Don't need fancy stuff like DROs, but "basic" features like:

1. Compound rest (with lock);
2. Proper and easily accessible locks on carriage and cross slide;
3. Tapered spindle bearings (it's a shame this has to be specified);
4. Quick lock on the tailstock;
5. Compatibility with common accessories;
6. No plastic gears, and proper autofeed design that doesn't wear out the leadscrew.

Now I've done my research, and there are lots of good suggestions for US brands, but very little for EU. Most mini lathes here seem to be Chinese clones of one another, for example:

Sieg S3
VEVOR 7'' x 16''
Proxxon PD 250/E
TM 210 x 400 Vario
Warco Super Mini Lathe 350
Bernardo Hobby 300 Vario
HBM 210 Vario

And so on. They are all near identical judging from visuals and specs, just different branding and paint. Unfortunately many don't specify the stuff like I mentioned, for example whether they have plain or tapered bearings. I am not sure if any of them are better than any others. For example Vevor has the most features and most powerful motor, but also a reputation for being a gamble in terms of quality/defects. Proxxon seems well reviewed, but weights just 11kg, so there is zero hope for rigidity. HBM also has very nice features, but almost impossible to get in my country (Lithuania) and very few reviews, so it's difficult to tell how good it is.

I know that in US, some companies that sell these Chinese clones do additional quality control, like Precision Mathews, so buying from them you can expect full features and much better quality, but I can't find if there is anything similar in the EU, and which brands are more reliable.

I've also researched the option of buying metric variant lathes from US, like Taig or Sherline, but the shipping costs and taxes exceed the price of these lathes, and while I believe they have good quality, they also lack many of the features I'd like to have. I also researched local options, like buying used, visited various machine shops, but there is nothing - my country is very small, there isn't much going on here, machine shops are very few and none of them deal with mini lathes, only the big stuff like in my former workplace.

Can anyone suggest, are there any better alternatives under 1500€ in EU with my requirements? If not, are any of these Chinese lathes better than the others? I'm okay with modifying them after purchase if just a few things are missing, but if I have to replace bearings or something else as big, it will turn into a painful project. Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

 

[JimSvarv]

As you said many new lathes seems to be the same with just different branding.
Have you looked at shops in Poland? I would guess they have some shops.
If not Germany have for sure.

I don't think you will find anything new that's made in Europe with your budget.
So I will probably be more or less the same Chinese machine you get whatever you buy.
The other option is to look at the used market, but it too can be quite expensive especially if it's sold on a international website.

If you still have access to machines you could build your own lathe to whatever specs you want.
I'm doing this myself waiting on parts for it.

There are some videos on yt with people having a stepper motor powered lead screw.
If done this way you don't need any gears and can cut any thread pitch.
Here's a example.

 

[Danuzzo]

Check out the Emcomat 7 (used). High quality lathe.

 

[laukejas]

As you said many new lathes seems to be the same with just different branding.
Have you looked at shops in Poland? I would guess they have some shops.
If not Germany have for sure.

I don't think you will find anything new that's made in Europe with your budget.
So I will probably be more or less the same Chinese machine you get whatever you buy.
The other option is to look at the used market, but it too can be quite expensive especially if it's sold on a international website.

If you still have access to machines you could build your own lathe to whatever specs you want.
I'm doing this myself waiting on parts for it.

There are some videos on yt with people having a stepper motor powered lead screw.
If done this way you don't need any gears and can cut any thread pitch.
Here's a example.

I'm not against Chinese machines in general, these guys can make high quality stuff when they want to, but they also know how to make trash that looks quality until you start using it... That's why I'm looking for specific recommendations from people who tried these "different" brands and know which ones are better or worse. I haven't found much in Poland, but there are some machines from Germany, like that HBM 210 Vario that I mentioned, also Holzmann Ed 300 Eco (which looks almost identical except for paint, so might be the same base model), but I'm not finding any reviews on them, so it's kind of a cat in a bag.

I don't have access to that shop anymore to make my own lathe, almost no steel working tools except for a drill press and an angle grinder. I am tempted to go with 3D print shell + reinforced concrete way, like this guy, except for using a larger spindle, steel ways (maybe SBR20 rails or similar), and adapt some carriage to it. But in the end, it's a big project, and I doubt I will end up with anything that exceeds the quality and features of these Chinese machines that I listed...

Check out the Emcomat 7 (used). High quality lathe.

Thank you for the suggestion. Right now I'm only seeing one listing for it, which is way outside my budget, but I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

[JimSvarv]

"I am tempted to go with 3D print shell + reinforced concrete way, like this guy, except for using a larger spindle, steel ways (maybe SBR20 rails or similar), and adapt some carriage to it."


That's what I'm planning to do but with the 20mm spindle as in the video.
How good or bad it is I'll find out I guess.
It's a bigger diameter shaft than a unimat lathe I have worked on before.

But if I make a good bed I will not worry to much as I could replace a bad headstock/spindle.

I did go with rails and ball screws so I need to figure out some break adjustment so the screws stay in place.
I may do NC in future otherwise TR screws would be cheaper/better I think.

 

[laukejas]

"I am tempted to go with 3D print shell + reinforced concrete way, like this guy, except for using a larger spindle, steel ways (maybe SBR20 rails or similar), and adapt some carriage to it."


That's what I'm planning to do but with the 20mm spindle as in the video.
How good or bad it is I'll find out I guess.
It's a bigger diameter shaft than a unimat lathe I have worked on before.

But if I make a good bed I will not worry to much as I could replace a bad headstock/spindle.

I did go with rails and ball screws so I need to figure out some break adjustment so the screws stay in place.
I may do NC in future otherwise TR screws would be cheaper/better I think.

I hope you succeed. But I'm very wary of doing this myself. That thing he uses for a spindle doesn't provide a proper way to preload the tapered bearings, and I'm unsure if the threads on it are appropriate for mounting a base plate to it while keeping it aligned in a repeatable way. I think something like this would be more appropriate, since it has aligning face behind the threads, and is compatible with typical M33 base plates. But then comes the question of which chucks are compatible with these base plates, if they can be attached to it. What kind of fit the fit there is with the tapered bearings. And so on. I did some research on this, and I wasn't able to answer these questions definitively...

Then comes the question of the ways. The guy in the video uses 2020 aluminum, but I think it's too soft if you expect rigidity from a lathe. I can't seem to find any trapezoid steel profiles, which is why I considered using these SBR20, embedding them in concrete. But I'm unsure if the SBR20 carriages with their ball bearings will be rigid enough, or if they will be too slack to perform well when machining steel.

Even if they are rigid enough, this kind of ways would make the machine incompatible with most standard lathe attachments (steady rests, tail stocks, etc.), so these would have to be home-made as well. Perhaps even the carriage, though maybe it is possible to adapt some carriage to these rails. Otherwise the project will become even more complex.

Then comes the issue of leadscrew and autofeed, lots of delicate parts and complex geometries there, I'm not sure if 3D printing + concrete would help much there. Using that electronic lead screw kit would surely help a lot, but it has been discontinued, so you'd probably have to make your own.

All this is doable, I suppose... But as I see it, it's a huge undertaking, with lots of unknowns, which translates to testing, failing, design iterations, so lots of time and money spent. I'm an engineer myself, so I do find the idea fascinating, but at the same time I know it could easily take a year before I had anything that could beat the quality of these Chinese lathes - if at all.

 

[SmithDoor]

Hi, I've had 2 years of experience working on old USSR lathes, but now I need a mini lathe for my home hobby projects, something that I could carry around and clamp down to a heavy table in the living room (don't have a shop). So probably around 40-60kg for the machine. 7x12", 7x14" or 7x16" would be ideal. Plan to turn aluminum, brass, stainless steel (304 or 316) - I know that last one is problematic for mini machines, but I'm okay with taking very light cuts. My budget is 1500€. Don't need fancy stuff like DROs, but "basic" features like:

1. Compound rest (with lock);
2. Proper and easily accessible locks on carriage and cross slide;
3. Tapered spindle bearings (it's a shame this has to be specified);
4. Quick lock on the tailstock;
5. Compatibility with common accessories;
6. No plastic gears, and proper autofeed design that doesn't wear out the leadscrew.

Now I've done my research, and there are lots of good suggestions for US brands, but very little for EU. Most mini lathes here seem to be Chinese clones of one another, for example:

Sieg S3
VEVOR 7'' x 16''
Proxxon PD 250/E
TM 210 x 400 Vario
Warco Super Mini Lathe 350
Bernardo Hobby 300 Vario
HBM 210 Vario

And so on. They are all near identical judging from visuals and specs, just different branding and paint. Unfortunately many don't specify the stuff like I mentioned, for example whether they have plain or tapered bearings. I am not sure if any of them are better than any others. For example Vevor has the most features and most powerful motor, but also a reputation for being a gamble in terms of quality/defects. Proxxon seems well reviewed, but weights just 11kg, so there is zero hope for rigidity. HBM also has very nice features, but almost impossible to get in my country (Lithuania) and very few reviews, so it's difficult to tell how good it is.

I know that in US, some companies that sell these Chinese clones do additional quality control, like Precision Mathews, so buying from them you can expect full features and much better quality, but I can't find if there is anything similar in the EU, and which brands are more reliable.

I've also researched the option of buying metric variant lathes from US, like Taig or Sherline, but the shipping costs and taxes exceed the price of these lathes, and while I believe they have good quality, they also lack many of the features I'd like to have. I also researched local options, like buying used, visited various machine shops, but there is nothing - my country is very small, there isn't much going on here, machine shops are very few and none of them deal with mini lathes, only the big stuff like in my former workplace.

Can anyone suggest, are there any better alternatives under 1500€ in EU with my requirements? If not, are any of these Chinese lathes better than the others? I'm okay with modifying them after purchase if just a few things are missing, but if I have to replace bearings or something else as big, it will turn into a painful project. Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

I purchased a new one last year. It works great.
First thing I replace with a Aloris AXA and exstension the cross slide trave . Later add a temperature gauge.
The spec on this 14" from face of chuck it a 16" cc.
The lathe I have has a ½" block under head stock for a 8" swing.

Dave

 

[laukejas]

I purchased a new one last year. It works great.
First thing I replace with a Aloris AXA and exstension the cross slide trave . Later add a temperature gauge.
The spec on this 14" from face of chuck it a 16" cc.
The lathe I have has a ½" block under head stock for a 8" swing.

Dave

Damn, that's a premium toolpost you got there. But you didn't replace the bearings? I was told with high confidence that Vevor lathes have plain bearings, not tapered. Lots of machinists told me to stay away from this brand, said it is most unreliable of all. I watched this review (different Vevor model, but close in spec) and it certainly discouraged me a lot. Did you experience any of the issues mentioned in this video?

 

[JimSvarv]

Yes that's some good points.
The open bearings he uses does also seem to be a minus.
If I will be able to solve some of these problems will show in the future.

I use linera rails for it.
I thought a round bed lathe would be pretty cool.
A big filled steel tube should have some rigidity, But you would need a lathe to make it probably. Catch 22...

I may also ad provision for a vertical column for milling spindle in the future.
Not sure, I did recently read a book "Milling in the Lathe" by Edgar T Westbury and one can make lot of setups without a mill!

I'm not sure how I will make the tailstock, I'll start out without one.

You are most correct that buying a ready machine is a more secure and faster way.
I haven't even started building my lathe as I'm still waiting on a few parts!

 

[SmithDoor]

Hi, I've had 2 years of experience working on old USSR lathes, but now I need a mini lathe for my home hobby projects, something that I could carry around and clamp down to a heavy table in the living room (don't have a shop). So probably around 40-60kg for the machine. 7x12", 7x14" or 7x16" would be ideal. Plan to turn aluminum, brass, stainless steel (304 or 316) - I know that last one is problematic for mini machines, but I'm okay with taking very light cuts. My budget is 1500€. Don't need fancy stuff like DROs, but "basic" features like:

1. Compound rest (with lock);
2. Proper and easily accessible locks on carriage and cross slide;
3. Tapered spindle bearings (it's a shame this has to be specified);
4. Quick lock on the tailstock;
5. Compatibility with common accessories;
6. No plastic gears, and proper autofeed design that doesn't wear out the leadscrew.

Now I've done my research, and there are lots of good suggestions for US brands, but very little for EU. Most mini lathes here seem to be Chinese clones of one another, for example:

Sieg S3
VEVOR 7'' x 16''
Proxxon PD 250/E
TM 210 x 400 Vario
Warco Super Mini Lathe 350
Bernardo Hobby 300 Vario
HBM 210 Vario

And so on. They are all near identical judging from visuals and specs, just different branding and paint. Unfortunately many don't specify the stuff like I mentioned, for example whether they have plain or tapered bearings. I am not sure if any of them are better than any others. For example Vevor has the most features and most powerful motor, but also a reputation for being a gamble in terms of quality/defects. Proxxon seems well reviewed, but weights just 11kg, so there is zero hope for rigidity. HBM also has very nice features, but almost impossible to get in my country (Lithuania) and very few reviews, so it's difficult to tell how good it is.

I know that in US, some companies that sell these Chinese clones do additional quality control, like Precision Mathews, so buying from them you can expect full features and much better quality, but I can't find if there is anything similar in the EU, and which brands are more reliable.

I've also researched the option of buying metric variant lathes from US, like Taig or Sherline, but the shipping costs and taxes exceed the price of these lathes, and while I believe they have good quality, they also lack many of the features I'd like to have. I also researched local options, like buying used, visited various machine shops, but there is nothing - my country is very small, there isn't much going on here, machine shops are very few and none of them deal with mini lathes, only the big stuff like in my former workplace.

Can anyone suggest, are there any better alternatives under 1500€ in EU with my requirements? If not, are any of these Chinese lathes better than the others? I'm okay with modifying them after purchase if just a few things are missing, but if I have to replace bearings or something else as big, it will turn into a painful project. Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

Here my lathe I used 2 days ago

Add on Walmart

Vevor today same lathe now using LCD

Web page
https://m.vevor.com/metal-lathe-c_1...iable-speed-2250-rpm-650w-110v-p_010276902500

I think most mini lathes are made same plant because they mostly same

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

Hi, I've had 2 years of experience working on old USSR lathes, but now I need a mini lathe for my home hobby projects, something that I could carry around and clamp down to a heavy table in the living room (don't have a shop). So probably around 40-60kg for the machine. 7x12", 7x14" or 7x16" would be ideal. Plan to turn aluminum, brass, stainless steel (304 or 316) - I know that last one is problematic for mini machines, but I'm okay with taking very light cuts. My budget is 1500€. Don't need fancy stuff like DROs, but "basic" features like:

1. Compound rest (with lock);
2. Proper and easily accessible locks on carriage and cross slide;
3. Tapered spindle bearings (it's a shame this has to be specified);
4. Quick lock on the tailstock;
5. Compatibility with common accessories;
6. No plastic gears, and proper autofeed design that doesn't wear out the leadscrew.

Now I've done my research, and there are lots of good suggestions for US brands, but very little for EU. Most mini lathes here seem to be Chinese clones of one another, for example:

Sieg S3
VEVOR 7'' x 16''
Proxxon PD 250/E
TM 210 x 400 Vario
Warco Super Mini Lathe 350
Bernardo Hobby 300 Vario
HBM 210 Vario

And so on. They are all near identical judging from visuals and specs, just different branding and paint. Unfortunately many don't specify the stuff like I mentioned, for example whether they have plain or tapered bearings. I am not sure if any of them are better than any others. For example Vevor has the most features and most powerful motor, but also a reputation for being a gamble in terms of quality/defects. Proxxon seems well reviewed, but weights just 11kg, so there is zero hope for rigidity. HBM also has very nice features, but almost impossible to get in my country (Lithuania) and very few reviews, so it's difficult to tell how good it is.

I know that in US, some companies that sell these Chinese clones do additional quality control, like Precision Mathews, so buying from them you can expect full features and much better quality, but I can't find if there is anything similar in the EU, and which brands are more reliable.

I've also researched the option of buying metric variant lathes from US, like Taig or Sherline, but the shipping costs and taxes exceed the price of these lathes, and while I believe they have good quality, they also lack many of the features I'd like to have. I also researched local options, like buying used, visited various machine shops, but there is nothing - my country is very small, there isn't much going on here, machine shops are very few and none of them deal with mini lathes, only the big stuff like in my former workplace.

Can anyone suggest, are there any better alternatives under 1500€ in EU with my requirements? If not, are any of these Chinese lathes better than the others? I'm okay with modifying them after purchase if just a few things are missing, but if I have to replace bearings or something else as big, it will turn into a painful project. Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

I try to use Walmart because of returns are easy.
FYI the last time I returned any was over 2 years ago and it was easy.

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

Damn, that's a premium toolpost you got there. But you didn't replace the bearings? I was told with high confidence that Vevor lathes have plain bearings, not tapered. Lots of machinists told me to stay away from this brand, said it is most unreliable of all. I watched this review (different Vevor model, but close in spec) and it certainly discouraged me a lot. Did you experience any of the issues mentioned in this video?

Today it would be a high quality Chinese made for under $200.00

I have own the tool post since about 1972.
It has been on 5 lathes now.
In 1972 Aloris had the patten back then.
Today the cost of a Aloris tool post I could buy 3 mini lathes.

Old tool post

With Aloris tool post

Dave

 

[SmithDoor]

Damn, that's a premium toolpost you got there. But you didn't replace the bearings? I was told with high confidence that Vevor lathes have plain bearings, not tapered. Lots of machinists told me to stay away from this brand, said it is most unreliable of all. I watched this review (different Vevor model, but close in spec) and it certainly discouraged me a lot. Did you experience any of the issues mentioned in this video?

The reviews today can be misleading.
For almost any reason.

I look manual and all photos I can find. I still reviews and check it out myself.
Some that is they one start because

1. The shipping company damaged the item.
2. Color was wrong
3. Had to put a different plug on

Now thing I look for.

1. It was noisy. so look why I purchased ploy V type.
2. bad tool post . replace with a Aloris.
3. a silver Deming did not fit. So purchased a little longer a 14" cc lathe.

The brand I do not look at unless I have lot of money .

So yes I read and use reviews but look to see what the problem

Dave

 

[laukejas]

The reviews today can be misleading.
For almost any reason.

I look manual and all photos I can find. I still reviews and check it out myself.
Some that is they one start because

1. The shipping company damaged the item.
   
2. Color was wrong
3. Had to put a different plug on

Now thing I look for.

1. It was noisy. so look why I purchased ploy V type.
2. bad tool post . replace with a Aloris.
3. a silver Deming did not fit. So purchased a little longer a 14" cc lathe.

The brand I do not look at unless I have lot of money .

So yes I read and use reviews but look to see what the problem

Dave

I suppose that's true.

Well, anyway, my initial question still stands... Considering that these Chinese lathes start at ~500€, it should be possible to find one under 1500€ that has proper tapered bearings and other basic features I mentioned in my post. Waiting for some more suggestions

 

[SmithDoor]

I suppose that's true.

Well, anyway, my initial question still stands... Considering that these Chinese lathes start at ~500€, it should be possible to find one under 1500€ that has proper tapered bearings and other basic features I mentioned in my post. Waiting for some more suggestions

You probably get list but tapper bearings. The ball bearing are the correct size.
A stead rest is good to have .
If doing long small shafts a follower rest is handy if not just a draw filler.

Dave