Hi

New here and to CNC. I run manual machines and have to automate as I want to do all work in house. I have not run a cnc and will be getting training but I want to either buy a used cnc lathe (I do all small work) or convert a manual 12x36 lathe to cnc. I was also looking into converting a 7x20 as it already had a VS motor/spindle.

I know this is vague but I do not know what questions to ask nor do I have basic knowledge with cnc.

My wallet is bare so I need to do something for 5K or less.

I saw a number of cnc lathes on ebay for under 5k but again I have no clue what I was looking at.

Thanks

A VS spindle is not necessarily capable of CNC operation, it depends on what operations you want to do.
Ideally the spindle should have good speed control regardless of load, this usually means feedback of some kind from motor to drive, if threading or CSF is required, an encoder is needed on the spindle.
If you buy used, make sure it is a make that the controller is still supported, e.g. Mitsubishi Mazak Fanuc Fagor etc. or at least the manuf is still in bus.
There is quite a bit mechanically to retro-fitting a manual m/c, ball screw, motor mounts etc.
Al.