I am wondering who is happy with their mini-lathe; HF, Grizzly, Homier, etc; and why ( if there are any specific reasons)? Also, if there is anybody that is unhappy, why? I am also wondering about the kind of things that you usually make with yours (I know that many will answer, "whatever I need", but I really am curious if anybody makes a whole bunch of one thing). Last, if you had the choice between your mini, and saving up a couple hundy extra for a larger lathe, which would you choose?

Hobbiest I think you will find that Grizzly (not familiar with Homier) requires a bit more quality control from their manufacturer.

Bigger, definitely bigger is better if you have the room and extra bucks, they are just easier to work with the larger handles, more mass generally means smoother cuts and cutting as well.

The exception is Stevies mini lathe shown on the CNCZone. ;)

i almost bought one of the 7xs just recently, but opted for the 9x20. I am much happier that i went with the 9x20 now. Like all the chinese imports, it requires some good cleaning and tuning. I've only turned some mid to high carbon steel on it thus far(no small diameter either). It has plenty of power, doesnt even slow down when biting the surface of a 4 inch dia. piece.

I checked for a small lathe but I decided to go just a little bit bigger to be less limited, I choose a 10x22 format and I'm happy with it but you know what... I already have part to do that is too large for my lathe :) ... But if I'll wait until I could buy the perfect lathe, I will only dream of having one all my life. Go with your budget and with what you will have to do most of the time.

http://www.kingcanada.com/Files/KC-1022ML_HR.jpg

Good luck in your quest ;)

Ron

I like my 7x12. Only had room on the balcony for a little lathe, otherwise I would defiantely have bought something larger though. The 7x lathes are all made by SIEG, so the brand you buy is pretty irrelevant.

Read the review of one- http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?s=&name=Sections&sop=viewarticle&artid=18

That review is of the 8x12 which is larger than the 7x series lathes. Here is a picture of the LatheMaster 8x14 which seems to be the same as the HF 8x12 other than the 2" longer bed. It is sitting beside a 7x12 Grizzly.

Eric

If size is a major factor determining your choice, the Lathemaster 8x14 is hands down the best finished and sturdiest of the mini-lathes. Also a bit more expensive.
Jose.

Well, at first I wasnt too impressed with my little lathe, It was mainly because I didnt know the tricks of the trade;)

Now Im actually pretty impressed with what it can do. I can take .06" off the diameter in 1" diameter steel and even stainless steel at about 300-500rpm with carbide and a little coolant.

At first I thought I should run it rather fast and turning tools with larger radious(.06 or so) but over time and messing with stuff at work, I saw that smaller radious makes a nicer finish and the larger radious really doesnt help all that much as far as I saw.

I now use carbide indexable tooling, the cheap stuff of course;) but it does its job rather well, its just the insert hold down screws that bother me on these, strip the head out easily.

I can throw off quite the chips, make them break into small peices without any problems.

Any more than .06 off the diameter will stall the motor after about half inch, I started taking .08 off the diameter and it stalled.

I am sure that a larger lathe could do much more than this little one, but you would be amased what you can do if its used mostly properly;)


Jon

I have the HF 7x10. I had no experience with metal working when I bought it. I have no onethat I know that does any either. SO I knew what I wanted to do and I jumped in with both feet. First thing I made was a part to fix my lawn mower. The also paid for itself right there! I make small model airplane engine parts with it. The machine has it's limits but as long as you know what they are you will a great deal of fun it it. I do wish that I had a bigger machine but this is what I could afford at the time and it serves me well.

Later,
Tim

Hey guys, I am following with interest. The link above does not go to a review for me though, just to a page with m codes.
co

.....trying to revive a corpse here, but I saw this ‘ole thread and thought I'd try to breathe a bit of life into it.

I bought a 9X20 from Harbor Freight about a year ago – got it for right around $800. I was discouraged by the condition of the machine out of the crate but happy that I at least some capability – turning stuff in a drill press sucks. I only needed light duty capabilities at the time and I had many other pieces of equipment to acquire.

There were a host of issues with it but for the money I was pretty satisfied. The spindle bearings remain a bit tight and run warm with sustained high speeds but it runs very true and the stock 3 jaw chuck is much more accurate than I expected. I definitely need to add variable speed and on the lookout for a treadmill to swipe the motor from. Luckily, Virginia raises some pretty heavy folks, so finding a discarded, lightly used treadmill to use as a donor shouldn’t be too big an issue.

Overall I am satisfied with the machine so far and I really haven’t done much to it as far as improvements. I have only put about 20 hours on it and I have already sheared a key and broken a gear axle bolt during threading – the half nut is very difficult to engage and release – needs some TLC or re-design.

I could not have home-grown an equivalent machine for less which was my original intention.

Scott

I found my first treadmill motors out behind Walmart. When the new models came in they threw out the displays in a 20 yarder. Behind where I work there is a fitness supply place, they sell to the health clubs, about once a month they are trashing equipment from some health club. Many times there are several treadmills out there waiting for space in the dumpster. Just a thought to help you on your qwest.

I found my first treadmill motors out behind Walmart.

NICE! I really never thought to scout that route.

Thanks for the tip, 2-much....that's what I love about this place - There's actually other dumpster-divers that can relate!!

:wave:

Scott

I have a 9x20 from Harbor I got for 599.00 cash & carry. I love that thing. Ive turned ballscrews and other difficult stuff with no problems. I put a QCTP from Enco for 89.00 on it, and I got the treadmill motor & controller, just havent had the time to swap it in. I couldnt see the 7" models doing the stuff this thing can. It weighs almost 350 lbs and has a real 3/4 HP motor. Its a real shop tool. If you have the space, and money, I would definately get a full or half size rather than a mini. If not, get the mini, there are thousands of very happy owners of all the 7" lathes, Ive seen incredible stuff done with them. Good Luck!!!!

I have a cummin's 7x12. So far I've been more than impressed with it.

I've turned down some material to 1mm just to see if I could. All in all, I think it will do what I need.

I plan on adding some cutoff kill switchs to it.. I ran the carriage in the headstock really good the first day while watching the powerfeed. Had to take off the gears and the front switch panel to free up the carriage. Was a little scared when I did that. It runs as good as it did before.

I've had a couple problems with truing up a part then flipping it over. It would be off center. Repositioning the work would center it up some, but that's very annoying.

Might pick up a 4 jaw chuck for precision work.

Albeit, I'm still learning. I think the money was well spent on the machine. ((360 + s/h))

Well might as well chime in on this old thread.

I have my shop currently in the basement so that to some extent dictates how large of a machine I could easily move into place. I went with the 9x20 simply because of the longer turning capability ( I may be doing some wood spindle work) the machine is barely a month old and frankly between overtime and everthing else happening it is far from being setup and wrung out. That being the case I've already put it to work on remodeling and other issues around the house, sometimes in unexpected ways.

For example truned and trued up the ends of some black pipe to set between joist for lifting stuff on the drill press and its assembly. As to actually finding time to build my CNC machine and some model engineering that is another issue.

By the way the model I got is a HF. It is only a bargain in my estimation if you get the unit on sale. It doesn't come with a 4 jaw chuck and the live center was useless. Could say similar things about some of the tools shipped with the machine. The basic machine however is good and for the price you can't beat it (spent a huge amount of time before making the plunge reading the swap sheet and e-baying).

The thing that you have to watch out for is the need to stock up on tooling. This can slow you down in using the machine, so keep that in mind when budgetting.

Thanks
Dave

I have had my Cummins 7x12 for three months and I LOVE IT . I turn down small parts that are gun related and I couldn't be happier!

CrazyRonny, I have been thinking about buying a lathe, in perticular the one your showing. I tried to get info on it but to no avail. Could you shed some light on that lathe, how well you like it, tolerances, where you purchased it,and the big question cost? TIA Greg

I have a HF 7 X 10 that I have had for several years. It does what I've needed so far but I wish I had one of the 9 bys. Really been debating wether to invest in the Grizzly G4000 as it comes with bot a 3 and 4 jaw chuck, steady rest and follower rest and a face plate. All of which I wish I had, but doesn't come with the 7 x 10. The debate has been wether to add those or sell the 7 x 10 and buy a 9" with the standard accessories.

Greg- Heres a link to that King Lathe. It is a nice looking machine. I havent seen one available in America just like it. It's similar to the 9x20 but it looks a little better finished.
http://www.kingcanada.com/Products.htm?CD=116&ID=2369

(The above comments are the authors and do not represent those of CNCCZone or its management.)

Now I like that lathe!

I have one of the Habor Freoght $799.99 3 in 1 machines that I ordered to use at home so I would not have to drive 56 miles round trip to the shop when someone showed up after hours or on the weekend wanting something made or repaired...

I love the darn little thing. It works great and I have made some very complicated parts on it. Best of all I have partialy converted it to CNC & now use it to run some small part runs on the days that I don't want to go to the shop at all.

jimhuffman1 -

You are hereby obligated to post photos of your conversion - do you have a thread on it? I couldn't find one...

Scott

I have one of the 9x20's from HF. I got it at an outlet for 599.00 on sale, and I have really enjoyed learning and using it. Ive never used any other lathe so I cant compare it to anything else, but I can say that if you can find it for 599.00 you cant go wrong. Ive used it for ballscrews and mostly turning and facing. I've been able to do some threading, but its easier to use a die in the tailstock than the lathe since I really dont know what I'm doing with the change gears and threading dial, but I,m learning.

Overall I cant say enough about how happy I've been with it.

(The above comments are the authors and do not reflect the oppinions of CNCZone or it's management.)

between the hf 7x10 and the hf 8x12 (or lathemaster 8x14), the 8x is a better-built lathe. while it doesn't have the convenience features of the 7x (variable speed, reverse, etc.) for the straight-forward stuff, it's a great lathe. my site has a lot of pictures of the 8x. but if you're limited in benchtop space but need a lathe with larger capacity than the 7x, the 8x is a great alternative. just be forewarned, buying tooling for it takes some good research and/or trial and error. my phase 2 qctp took some work to get it to fit on the 8x lathe. (but this is the case even with the 9x)

I guess I was lucky,I had a friend who was machinist help set up my 9X20,and the 7X10,as well as my mill-drill.The usuall stuff you read about,no really bad problems.
I generally build stirling engines from recycled materials,but I have turned wood,all kinds of metals ,and plastic all with very good results.All my stuff is about 8 years old now, and still in very good condition.