Should I get a homier 7x12

[WOODKNACK]

Hey guys, I love this forum. They should have done this along time ago! Instead of jumping all over the net to check stuff out I just come here first. I have made a home made cnc router. Having a little trouble figuring out software though! Anyway I have been wanting to get a homier 7x12 for awhile now but keep talking myself out of it! I have access to a 9 inch south bends lathe (my fathers) which I do use. But the problem is I have to go to his house to use it. I want to set up shop here at my house. I have been fooling around and building some simple steam stuff and am working on a small I.C. engine called the MAVERICK. I'll attach a photo of the engine so you guys can see it. I also have made some writing pens too. My question is. Do you guys recomend this lathe or should I go with something bigger like a 9x20? I like all the little featchers the little lathe has. But how limited am I with this lathe? Does anyone have one and feel they should have a bigger one? I have been checking out this guys web page (http://www.tedatum.com/thms/) And he started out with the grizzly 7x12 now it seems its not big enough to do what he wants to do! And hes just doing desk top machining! I don't want to make that costly mistake. Please some give me some guidance!

[CNCadmin]

I just got that lathe; I'm pretty impressed with the quality. It seams like for the small stuff I'm doing it will be big enough. It's always better to go bigger; you improve your accuracy and the size of part you can make. I fly R/C helicopters so I don’t need a big lathe for what I want to do, plus I don’t have the room for a bigger lathe.

[CNCadmin]

Micro Mark makes a 7x14 with a digital RPM read out, it goes for about 600.00.

[WOODKNACK]

Ya but for that kind of money Id go for a 9x20. thats twice the cost of the homier! And what do you get? Any more swing over the bed? Nope. Just a digital read out which I think is just novilty. and 2 more inches af length. Like I said for that price I think people are better off getting a 9x20 or 8x16. Just my 2 cents.

[CNCnUtZ]

Well, I love my Homier 7x12.
I dont think anyone could go wrong with picking one up.
Great little machine

The only mod Ive done to it, is bore out the spindle through hole to 0.810" to accomodate larger than the 5/8th inch that it comes stock with ...
And put a 5 inch chuck on(close fit bed clearance)it.

[CNCadmin]

Here is mine

[CNCadmin]

I'm going to convert it to a 14" soon.

[James04]

How would you convert it to a 14"?

[CNCadmin]

Originally posted by James04
How would you convert it to a 14"?

http://cnczone.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=232

[James04]

I dont get it. The Grizzly and Homier seem virtualy identical. The only thing that Im not sure about is the spindle bore. Is the homier 3/4"? The only other differances seems to be the Homier doesnt come with Faceplate,Steady Rest and the Compound Rest Travel is only 1.38". Is the Compound Rest Travel important? This and customer service. Is it worth an extra $200.

CNCadmin,

I belive you have both machines. Is there more to it than what I have mentioned above. Are the faceplate and steady rest expensive? Are they essential? Also I thought I saw a post or ad somewere that said one of these lathes (made by seige) came with a 4" three jaw. Do you have any knowledge of this?

Sorry for so many questions but the more I learn the more questions a have. Just one more. I plan to get a mill as well as a lathe If Im looking to make heli parts and other R/C related items wich would i be better of with getting first. Lath with a mill attachment? Or the mill. Wich is more versatile?

Thanks
James

[CNCadmin]

The Micro Mark, HF and the speedway that I have are all the same machine just painted a different color and accesories it comes with. At least that is waht I beleve to be the diffrence? Other than the big price difference. I'm into hels and the lathe I have will do all that I want it to do. You really need both a lathe and a mill to do all the you might want to. That is way I went with both and that is why I'm converting the vertical mill to CNC.

[James04]

Awsome!

Looks like Im getting a Homier lathe.

How about these two items.
Are the faceplate and steady rest expensive? Are they essential?