Hey guys, Im debating the purchase of the homier mini lathe.
The lathe itself costs $299, shipping is gonna be right around $60-$70.

What kind of tooling and accessories will I need? I will want to do regular stuff, cuttoff stuff, threading and whatever else.

I am rather new to lathe stuff, only opperated a metal lathe once and I like it.

Thanx
Jon

Well, here's a short list...

Firstly you need some HSS tool bits, 5/16"
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=383-5320&PMPXNO=940010&PARTPG=INLMK32
Enco also sells a 38pc carbide-tipped tool bit set for $30 but I find they're less forgiving than simple HSS bits ... but that's what I get for being clueless :D
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=BQ383-4300
And of course you'll need a bench grinder. Aluminum oxide for HSS or silicon carbide for carbide grinding.

An MT2 drill chuck for your tailstock:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42340
A 4-jaw chuck is sometimes a necessity as well. This 3" is what I use, but you might opt for a larger size (with their unfortunately involved mounting requirements)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43581

A nice desk lamp, lithium grease for the ways, a 6" caliper, light oil, shim stock, bench brush, lots of stuff like that.

That most important first lathe tool! " How to run a lathe" cost $ 7.95 a Lindsay Publication. This would be my the first purchase! ;)

Thank you guys. I understand how to opperate one for the most part and have people that I can ask if I have questions.

So Im looking at spending around $500 on everything then. I guess I might just have to save up:)


Jon

Im getting a little closer, I am getting about enough from my tax returns soon. I have seen a few different deals, a few different models and am unsure on what to get.

I saw that HF had 2 models, a 7x10 and a 8x12. Homier has a 7x12 and I have seen one that had tools with it, and way wipers and such.
What do you suggest?

Jon

I just bought a Homier 7 X 12 lathe about 2 weeks ago. I am very happy with it. I am in the process of building a free standing base for it. I think the best way to buy it is at one of their traveling shows. If you log on to their websight, you can see if they are coming close to wher you live.
About what you need to get started, if you have any kind of shop now, you will have some of the "stuff" you need. And then you just buy the rest little by little.;)

about 6months ago they came about 2 miles away, I didnt have the money at the time.

Jon

i saw them in texarkana today they had one of the mini lathes it looked just like my harbor freight mini lathe i have had for about 6 years now and the only problem with it is i striped the plastic drive gear not to bad for the use it has had.

I just placed the order yesterday!
Here is what I got.
Item # Description Qty Price Unit Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03911 Metal Lathe 1 $299.99 EA $299.99
04265 Drill Bit Set 1 $29.99 EA $29.99
04725 Circulative Pump 1 $9.99 EA $9.99
Sub Total: $339.97
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $60.08
Total: $400.05
-----------------------------------------------
Product Price Qty Amount
1929 Cut-Off Blade, P1 4.95 2 $ 9.90
1261 Starter Kit, Mini Lathe (5/16" Tool Bits) 21.95 1 $ 21.95
2221 Tool Bit, 5/16" Threading 9.95 1 $ 9.95
1551 Cut-Off Tool Holder 19.95 1 $ 19.95
1152 Tool Bit, 5/16" M2 1.36 5 $ 6.80

Sales Tax: $ 0.00
Shipping & Handling: $ 12.43
Total: $ 80.98
-------------------------------------------
PRODUCTS
1 piece @ $6.35/piece
Aluminum 6061-T6 Bare
Extruded Round
2.5"
Cut to: 2.5"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $4.39/piece
Aluminum 6061-T6 Bare
Extruded Round
1"
Cut to: 12"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $2.47/piece
Aluminum 6061-T6 Bare
Extruded Round
0.75"
Cut to: 12"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $1.10/piece
Aluminum 6061-T6 Bare
Extruded Round
0.5"
Cut to: 12"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $4.07/piece
Brass 360 H02
Round
0.75"
Cut to: 12"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $2.57/piece
Brass 360 H02
Hex
0.5"
Cut to: 12"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $19.62/piece
Plastic Acetal Black
Round
1"
Cut to: 36"
-------------------------------------------------
1 piece @ $1.84/piece
Brass 360 H02
Round
0.5"
Cut to: 12"
-------------------------------------------------

from homier, littlemachineshop, and online metals respectivly

Im getting pretty excited.


Is there any mini lathe cnc conversion information around? I havent seen any and am interested in seeing some, I know liquidrulez has converted one, he helped me with my mill for the most part. now I just need to make my last peices.


Jon

The one thing thats kind of confusing me is boaring. thats also something I forgot to order is a boaring bar. The opperation of boaring is similar to facing, I heard that the tool should be above center or is it suposed to be right at center?

Does anyone have any links to a boaring bar that doesnt require a holder, and has the 2 flat sides? My unkle has one in his shop that I might have to borrow if he doesnt use it much. Thats what I really need, something adjustable that has inserts.


Thanx
Jon

Jon,

Slightly above center. Because that way if (WHEN) it flexes, the flex will take it AWAY from the inner wall. If you put it AT center--or below-- when it flexes it tries to take a bigger cut, which causes it to flex more, etc...

Hope this helps,

Ballendo

Originally posted by JFettig
The one thing thats kind of confusing me is boring. thats also something I forgot to order is a boring bar. The operation of boring is similar to facing, I heard that the tool should be above center or is it suposed to be right at center?

Thanx
Jon

Thanx,


I got the drill bits and the pump today, the drill bits are the worst drill bits I have ever seen in my life!
they are definately going back.
I gotta test this pump, see if thats any good.

Jon