Posted: 11/5/2011 6:36:31 PM EDT
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Is there such a thing as a decent mini-lathe or is that a big-foot type rumor? I need a lathe for making smallish type parts, but it seems most decent ones are pretty big and expensive. |
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How small / what material?
Clisby / Sherline / Taig / Micromark (7x16) in the micro lathe world Links: http://www.sherline.com/lathes.htm http://taigtools.com/mlathe.html http://www.micromark.com/MICROLUX-7x16-MINI-LATHE,9615.html |
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http://www.woodcraft.com/Category/2081064/Mini-Lathes.aspx
I have the Rikon one |
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Do not know much about it, but the name of the URL says it all
mini-lathe.com I bet they do have something in the size you are wanting, unless it is like for a Barbie dream house work shop edition............what is the application? -PC- |
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Quoted: By the biggest machine that hurts to afford. Even for tiny parts. Start looking at the 12X36 inch machines. as the owner of a 9x19 i will agree with this, go big if you can! This does not mean you wont be able to do anything with smaller stuff, some of the guys over on homegunsmith does some incredible stuff with little machines. (Hell, some of them do incredible stuff with a file and sandpaper)  If you're considering doing anything firearm related (barrels etc) You need to be observant of the spindle bore size. My lathe is 3/4" through the spindle, which makes it more or less useless for anything long that has a diameter greater than that, unless i run it between centers or with a steadyrest. |
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I have this:
http://www.micromark.com/MICROLUX-7x16-MINI-LATHE,9615.html The Micromark 7x16. Buy your tools and other parts here: http://www.littlemachineshop.com/ Little Machine Shop ships fast, all top quality stuff, prices good. Some sweet deals on "Value Packs" of tooling. You will find that many mini-lathes are made by the same Chinese factory, and most of the parts are interchangeable. I really didn't need or want a larger lathe. While I have cut some steel, including stainless, mostly I use it for plastics, brass, aluminum. Learn to use your new lathe with Delrin (acetyl), which is a real joy to cut. Self lubricating, strong, you can do some neat stuff with this. Delrin and other materials can be bought from www.smallparts.com. The Quick Change Tool Post by A2Z CNC (from LMS) is the schiznitz! |
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I just ordered a Sherline lathe last week (it should be in on Tuesday)
I have had their mill for about 6-7 years, They make good stuff. Sherline Also my Mill and Lathe are setup for CNC (CNC = A computer runs the machine) At the end of the day it depends what you want to make. I make small items and PC boards so I like the smaller machines But if you want to make larger Items and work with heavier metals you may want a larger machine. Get the machine sized to the job you are doing |
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Quoted: Quoted: Is the Unimat still around? Just used. I have two of the original types. Completely useless for threading, although a tracer type attachment is still available. I'm pretty sure my dad still has one of those. I turned quite a few small model rocket nose cones on it when I was a teenager. I wondered if they were still in business. |
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Do not expect precision less than about 0.010 and expect to ruin a LOT of parts. Chances are the tail stock will be a good few thousandths off-center. All kinds of shit happens when working with those little tools, including not having the options of things like Collet chucks and having to cut your stock so short you can't get a good grip on it in the chuck. One little shake and your part is scrap. I had a 7x10 or 7x12 (I can't remember) from Harbor Freight. I ended up driving 10 miles to a friend's place and using his drop bed lathe for making my small parts.
I'm right now in the market for a full-sized CNC machining center with a tool changer. Now, with that said, you *can* make parts with those little tools, but expect it to take you a lot of time, expect to screw up and have to start over, and expect to have to have to do a lot of operations to get your parts made. Part of what gives the full-sized tools some of their use –– especially when it comes to mills, et cetera, is the machinists' ability to make custom fixtures to hold their parts. |
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Quoted: I've had a 7x10 for about 8 years. I wouldn't want to try to make a lot of parts on it on a daily basis, but for the occasional job, it's pretty capable. This. If you don't try to push it too much, it'll work for most small parts. It's a hobby machine, keep that in mind. |
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Quoted: Do not expect precision less than about 0.010 and expect to ruin a LOT of parts. Chances are the tail stock will be a good few thousandths off-center. All kinds of shit happens when working with those little tools, including not having the options of things like Collet chucks and having to cut your stock so short you can't get a good grip on it in the chuck. One little shake and your part is scrap. I had a 7x10 or 7x12 (I can't remember) from Harbor Freight. I ended up driving 10 miles to a friend's place and using his drop bed lathe for making my small parts. I'm right now in the market for a full-sized CNC machining center with a tool changer. Now, with that said, you *can* make parts with those little tools, but expect it to take you a lot of time, expect to screw up and have to start over, and expect to have to have to do a lot of operations to get your parts made. Part of what gives the full-sized tools some of their use –– especially when it comes to mills, et cetera, is the machinists' ability to make custom fixtures to hold their parts. You're selling the chinese lathes extremely short. |