Newbie Lathe Choice

[matthew-s]

Decisions decisions.



IMHO if I had to choose a lathe from the import market and had about 1300 limit I would put my money on the grizzly go602 10 x 22 .



same actually less money than the new 8 x 16 but it is twice the lathe.

the 768 you need to switch gears for each threading task. the 10x has more power more swing ... the 10 x includes a 4" chuck the 8X does not.



The only real advantages I see with the 8 x is infinite variable speed and the tach. . While nice to me not enough reason to give up all the advantages found on the 10"



The 10" you will likely have to take as much off as you can to get in basement.

But where there is a will there is a way.

I suggest you download the manual for each lathe you are considering and read them . also carefully read the accessory and specifications list.





the 8" has the chuck mounted with studs a pain to change the 10" has a threaded spindle nose easier to change. .....



Tin

Indeed. Now we approach the budget I had mind for lathe + mill.

By the way, why is there seemingly more lathe talk when compared to mill talk? Fewer choices? I take it that going with the Micromark or Little Machine Shop options is plenty for most needs?



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[mikbul]

I'm not pushing the 7X16 on him, just showing what needs to be done no matter what he buys. If he buys a used S/B he'll have to lighten it up to go down the stairs too. Same with grizzly or whatever. If he's doing any threading better get a gearbox.

 

[mikbul]

Indeed. Now we approach the budget I had mind for lathe + mill.

By the way, why is there seemingly more lathe talk when compared to mill talk? Fewer choices? I take it that going with the Micromark or Little Machine Shop options is plenty for most needs?



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I would think the LMS solid column a better choice for rigidity. As for big enough to do what these guys do they will have to answer that.

 

[sssfox]

I have one of these:

http://www.lathemaster.com/Lathemaster LM25L Milling Machine.htm

I did a lot of research and this one has 19-1/2" travel and an R-8 spindle. I thought both were important and not many of the small machines have that much travel. They are out of stock right now.

I've had mine for about two years and it has done everything I have asked. I bought the power feed attachment and I'm glad I did.

As with the lathe, budget about as much for tooling as you do for the
tool.

Their lathes look good, too, but I don't have any experience with them.

Steve Fox

 

[Tin Falcon]

Indeed. Now we approach the budget I had mind for lathe + mill.

By the way, why is there seemingly more lathe talk when compared to mill talk? Fewer choices? I take it that going with the Micromark or Little Machine Shop options is plenty for most needs?

In your original post I saw lathe so that is why we are talking lathe.

Many in this hobby including myself, started with the basic sieg 7 x 10 lathe and companion x-2 mill. The MM and LMS machines are a definite improvement over the originals.

There are guys that buy sherline machines love them and stay with them for years. there are guys that buy the Mini mill and mini lathe and trade up others start with the mini and buy bigger machines and keep the minis. There are guys that have bigger machines and buy the mini machines for a inside winter shop.
The real advantage of the mini mill and lathe is the price is low enough to get it into the shop and start learning and machining. But IMHO in the long run feature for feature lb for pound accessory for accessory they are not that great a value.

I also realize it is a hard sell to come up with 3-4 K to set up shop. A lot of money for most of us to put out in one shot or a short period of time.

And bottom line your dime your choice you need to do what is right for you.
Tin

 

[sssfox]

Tin,

I think he means in general, not specifically this thread.

He is correct, I hardly ever see a question asked about which mill to buy and I see one about which lathe every two or three weeks. I think it is because there aren't a lot of mill choices. They go from mini mill to bridgeport rather quickly.

 

[Tin Falcon]

Not number of choices if you look at grizzly there are about 14 lathes before you get to full industrial size and about 28 mills to choose from, before one gets to Bridgeport size.

I think it is just most people start with a Lathe.
Tin

 

[matthew-s]

Tin,

I think he means in general, not specifically this thread.

Correct. That is what I meant.

I think it is because there aren't a lot of mill choices. They go from mini mill to bridgeport rather quickly.

This is what I suspected. That It's a jump from mini-mill to a Bridgeport, or that the minis can support the majority of the modeling envelop, whereas it sounds like moving up in lathes provides more return, even to modelers. Again just my suspicion.


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[Tin Falcon]

Again while many start with the Mini aka x2 the x3 is also very popular and liked much more capable and now the x 4 and U1 are available. Have not heard much about the x4 and the U1 is more of a horizontal mill .



There are at least 5 Sizes of lathe and mill to choose from for the hobbyist. ranging from nano to micro to mini to x3 mill /10" lathe .....

It feels like you have decided on the mni lathe /mill and that is fine. Just trying to show options. just be sure they will do the kits you want . But fear not yo can always get bar stock plans and scale to the machine you own.
Tin

 

[Sshire]

What is it about "don't want a pre-built kit" that is not clear.
First point: I've been actively searching Craigslist and local machine dealers for a Heavy 10 that is on good shape. No such animal. I wouldn't suggest a 20,30 or 40 year old lathe to a first-timer. That's more of a project than a Harbor Freight lathe. My Bridgeport was in pretty good shape when I got it, but still had work for me to do.
Secondly, I think he wants to build engines. Not build a lathe.
Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but think back to your first days machining and then see if a used, older lathe is a good idea


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[matthew-s]

It feels like you have decided on the mni lathe /mill and that is fine.

Tin

I have not decided. I'm trying to keep an open mind. I appreciate the feedback. For example, I had not heard of lathe master, and that is an interesting option.

I have some time. I moved recently, and I have some work to do to get the shop setup, so I'll use that time to do research. The plan is to spend the summer doing that so it's ready for winter building season.

Regardless , the gentleman that said I want to build engines rather than lathes is correct.


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[Tin Falcon]

Thanks. I did actually pop into name-s meeting this month. It was not an organized meeting this time, so it was hard to tell who was in charge and there was no natural way to star taking questions. I'll probably visits another meeting though.



PM me contact info I will get it to a NEMES member






tin

 

[matthew-s]

PM me contact info I will get it to a NEMES member




tin

Thanks. I actually did exchange email before the meeting with one of the leaders. He was very responsive. I showed up late, and was not sure who to approach. It was more of a social gathering than a real meeting this last time due to a last minute change.

I'll take up your offer if I can't make heads or tails of the next meeting.


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[Tin Falcon]

Good enough .Talk to norm Jones .Also one of the guys in the club has a sherline that is ready to go . I can get you a name if you like.
Tin

 

[matthew-s]

I may be interested in the Sherline. Could be a relatively painless way to try the hobby on for size?

Please PM me info, or I could PM you if you'd prefer. Thanks.


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[brian13b]

thats nice

 

[naughtimonki]

HI, I have a Sieg X2 mill and a Sieg AL-60 lathe. They have both been a constant source of frustration and disappointment. Do not plan on machining mild steel of harder as they will fail on you, break tools and produce por quality work. I agree with one other reply, dont waste your time with a lathe mill combo. If you do buy a mini mill get it as a stand alone and definetly do the belt conversion. If you can afford the X3 Super you will be much better off.
As suggested by otheres there are a lot of older industrial lathes available 2nd hand that are around a 1 metre bed length and are made of solid castings. Definitely hold out for one.
DO NOT BUY the SIEG. They are seriously a waste of money and source of ongoing disappointment.

 

[matthew-s]

DO NOT BUY the SIEG. They are seriously a waste of money and source of ongoing disappointment.

I'm curious. Do you put all SIEG machines in the same category? Including those from little machine shop, or I guess even Grizzly?

Earlier you note the Super x3 would be good, but then state the "do not buy" on SIEG so I'm trying to clarify.

Thanks.






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[Tin Falcon]

Well Mathew Mr monki's comments do seem a a bit confusing.

I expect his frustration is heartfelt and honest.

I do wonder though a bit of a broad statement that all sieg products are junk.

I have several sieg machines and while there are better products usually the price is higher.
Also while we have all heard of great deals and even fee machines those are IMHO few and far between.

Also we know little of mr monki his first and only post is a rant. HMMM.
Tin

 

[hanermo]

Mass.

Heavier is better. As much as you can afford.

The ONLY thing you cannot later cheaply and easily upgrade, is rigidity, which depends on mass.

About 2005, I spent about 200 hours and 250€ making a good, slid, rigid, stiff accurate mount for my 7x lathe.

Lathe cost 450€ ish. 40 kg or so.
Mount cost 250 € in bits and pieces. 150 kg or so.

Result was about 9.5 / 10 in results, ie it works very very well, and helps a lot.
I would have been much better off buying an 8x lathe (about 110 kg), for about 690€.

Best benefit of bigger lathe, is you dont need to re-buy all the qctp tooling again, later on..