mini lathe good or bad?

[Hobbiest]

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?

[Ken_Shea]

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.

[TyRex]

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.

[CrazyRonny]

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.



Good luck in your quest

Ron

[RotarySMP]

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.

[CNCadmin]

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

[balsaman]

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

[pacosoide]

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.

[JFettig]

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

[Tim Wiltse]

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

[yukonho]

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

[mxtras]

.....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