For Canadians, Princess Auto has a 7"x12" Mini Metal Lathe $200.00 off for $600.00, this Tuesday 28th Aug.
Al

Al,
I have looked at the lathe and also the mill which was a couple of weeks ago. I don't think it is much of a deal as the attachments for it are purchased separately. I also could not find a 4 jaw chuck for it. You can add $200 on top before you take it home.
I shop there quite a bit and have picked up some good deals but in my opinion this isn't one of them. I have an Atlas TH54 and have been looking for a smaller lathe that is a good deal. If you have a Busy Bee near you drop in and see also what they have on special. Lots of times it is in store and not advertized. I purchased my mill/drill from them and the good part is that I can buy extra accesories for it or my lathe across the counter.
I am not connected with either business but am a regular customer of both and spend a lot of time browsing.
John

you guys have a store called "Princess Auto" ????








hahahahhahhahahahhahah



:)

skmetal7 wrote:
you guys have a store called "Princess Auto" ????
hahahahhahhahahahhahah
:)


yup, they do.
and we (Americans) have a market called Piggly-Wiggly and a hotel called
Super-8 (sounds like suppurate - and look THAT up on dictionary.com)
:)

robotic regards,

Tom
= = = = =
"As the cheetah said to the chameleon: you can hide, but you can't run!"
- - Alan Williams

We have Super8s up here in Canada as well.

On the issue of Busy Bee versus Princess Auto mini-lathes, they are very similar machines and likely made by the same Chinese company. I bought one of the quick change tool posts at Princess and with a small mod, I'm using it on my Busy Bee mini-lathe. Also the Princess Auto steady rest fits.

The same or very similar lathe is branded as Clarke in UK and they do have a 4-jaw chuck which may fit the Busy Bee. Have a look at:

http://213.198.124.41/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_Clarke_300m_Variable_Sped_Lathe___Accessories.html

you guys have a store called "Princess Auto" ????








hahahahhahhahahahhahah



:)


if you walked thru the store the only laughing you would be doing would be about the arm load of stuff you managed to carry to the pay counter

if you walked thru the store the only laughing you would be doing would be about the arm load of stuff you managed to carry to the pay counter

Very true, they dont know what there missing.

From a cursory look at both the Princess Auto "Power Fist" lathe and the Grizzly G8688 they appear to be similar. However, I did notice that the Power Fist version is rated at 1/3 HP, while the Grizzly is rated at 3/4 HP.

In general, do the various versions of the Chinese 7x12" lathes have interchangeable parts?

From a cursory look at both the Princess Auto "Power Fist" lathe and the Grizzly G8688 they appear to be similar. However, I did notice that the Power Fist version is rated at 1/3 HP, while the Grizzly is rated at 3/4 HP.

In general, do the various versions of the Chinese 7x12" lathes have interchangeable parts?

Much so. Check out littlemachineshop.com (http://www.littlemachineshop.com)

They have an information section that compares all the makes of these lathes and mills - though I don't recall seeing the Princess model.

Much so. Check out littlemachineshop.com (http://www.littlemachineshop.com)

They have an information section that compares all the makes of these lathes and mills - though I don't recall seeing the Princess model.

Good afternoon, all. First time poster, medium time lurker here.

The Princess model (I picked one up on Saturday) is the Sieg 300. Princess Auto was not (at the store here in Regina) advertising it as a PowerFist model per se. This model used to also be marketed as the MicroMark 82500 7x12, correct? Anyway after getting it set up I have to say I'm pretty impressed. I'd read about all manners of adjustments having to be done but mine seems to run straight and true right out of the box.