looking to get a lathe And mill

[copper]

Hello all, Im looking at purchasing a G0602 lathe and the G0704 mill. what are your opinions on these for small model engine building? I notice the lathe does not have a power crossfeed. For those of you that do not have a power crossfeed do you wish you had it? also will the lathe powerfeed go from left to right? What are the advantages of a lathe doing this? I'm sorta new at this so don't mind the goofy questions. Any info will help me determine my decision on a purchase. Thanks

 

[Tin Falcon]

These guys:

I see no major problems with these machines for a home shop . do keep in mind that a general rule of thumb is you need about the cost of the machine to tool it. more so for the mill than the lathe plus you need measuring tools and a tool box. make sure your budget can handle this.
these are a couple steps up from what I started with. the 10 by 22 seems to be a popular choice and well liked.

Power feeds give a smoother finish and save a little strain on the hands. but I tend to hand feed myself. just used to it.

if you have not already done so download and read the manuals for both machines . this will help a lot understanding what they will and will not do.
Also I have a thread on lathe selection in the tool sub fora you may want to read.
I have several grizzly machines and are IMHO a good value.

There have been several threads related to needed tooling for lathe and mill.Also keep in mind these machines weigh about 250lbs each so you will need some help getting them on the bench either manual labor or a shop crane.

Hope this helps


Tin

 

[copper]

Thanks Tin, Ihave been looking at the smithy granite 3in1 but I hear soso things about them. Where is a good place to get tooling at rock bottom prices?

 

[Tin Falcon]

That is the $1000 question. like anything else shop around and know what you are looking for and looking at.


http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM

http://www.cdcotools.com/


http://www.grizzly.com/home


I would stay away from mail order from Harbor freight but if you have a store nearby and can look at stuff before you buy you may be ok.

http://www.wttool.com/

The list goes on the trick is to know what Chinese imports work well and when to spend the extra bucks on good quality american made tools.

for the lathe you should only need a drill chuck , a Quick change tool post , a couple boring bars and a handful of lathe bits.

Tin

 

[Dave Sohlstrom]

The machine you listed will only power feed or cut right hand threads from right to left.
For power feed left to right or left hand threads you will need to do as lots of folks have done and make a mod to the lathe to reverse the lead screw in relation to the spindle.
There are plans on the net on how to make the mod.

Dave

 

[rodw]

Get separate tools. I had no idea the difference until I upgraded from a Smithy 1220 3 in 1 to a 13" lathe and Seig SX3.

I will say power cross feed is really nice and it gives much better finish. Mine cuts in both directions.

The cost of tooling a lathe is not too bad, but the mill has sucked up some pretty serious cash in the couple of months since I have had it and I still don't have everything on my list I made up and have tried to stick to from watching a few instructional videos on the net.

 

[aarggh]

The G0704 (and the G0602) appears to be wildly popular in the States, and if your planning to CNC convert it at some point, there's almost off the shelf kits to do so. Everyone I've seen that's posted about them have generally been very happy with them.

cheers, Ian

 

[Runner]

Hi copper, here's someone that doesn't have power crossfeed and wished they had it. I use my type C Southbend a lot for shaping in the lathe because of the lack of a mill, which includes a lot of interrupted cuts. This method of operation tends to produce small pieces of hot swarf that hits your hands and arms when your operating the crossfeed. After a session doing this I have a mottled look. For those who consider this unsafe behaviour I do wear safety glasses and in the cooler months have protective clothing. If I had power crossfeed I could stand off and not be affected. Also power crossfeed provides a better finish.

Brian

 

[copper]

Is there a lathe of the same size that does have powered crossfeed that is available ? I know the smithy granite does but am leaning toward seperate units.

 

[Tin Falcon]

the craftex cx700 is the same size but lists cross feed rates.so that machine is tyhe same size but has the feature you want. . I thinks the grizzly 4000 does as well and probably so do the bigger grizzly's. look for the extra feed control handle on the apron.

looking at several grizzly manuals they only mention longitudinal feed. HMM maybe only the more industrial machines have cross feed.
my old south bend 9' has it but that does not help much.

Looks like the only grizly's that mention power cross feed ranges are the bigger south bends . geez did not know that feature was so rare. in hobby machines bun anything to keep the price affordable I guess.

It also seems left and right movments are another "option" something I thought common even my little 7 x10 and the craftman 109s have that.
Tin

 

[copper]

Well the mill is on the way,the g0704 I'm still not sure which lathe to get yet. As for tooling for the mill which should I get for the most basic general tasks? Going to need a vise also, Four or five inch?

 

[Tin Falcon]

You will need a vise
drill chuck
mill holders or collet holder and collet set
mill cutters
a indicator to tram in the mill


basic measuring and layout tools
drill bits

later on a clamp set
maybe a rotary table.
as far as basic tools look hear this may help you.

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f13/beginners-tool-box-19342/

Littlemachineshop.com has starter sets

something like this

tin

 

[canadianhorsepower]

Hello all, Im looking at purchasing a G0602 lathe and the G0704 mill. what are your opinions on these for small model engine building? I notice the lathe does not have a power crossfeed. For those of you that do not have a power crossfeed do you wish you had it? also will the lathe powerfeed go from left to right? What are the advantages of a lathe doing this? I'm sorta new at this so don't mind the goofy questions. Any info will help me determine my decision on a purchase. Thanks

Hi I have a ct089 craftex for sale in excellent shape
it was sold but I got an email this morning he's not picking it up
we agreed last month

 

[aarggh]

Don't skimp on the vise, money spent on a cheap vise is money wasted, I found that out the hard way. Go for as good as you can afford to make life easier!

cheers, Ian

 

[copper]

Whats a good size vise and brand for this size of mill G0704 that won't. Require me to sell my dog to help pay for it? Thanks