Newbie- Hello all! A few questions on what to get?

[TroyO]

Hello all. I have been looking at the various options for what exactly to get. My primary interest is in turning and threading 1.5" aluminium pipe to make lightsaber bodies. I've almost figured it out, I think.. LOL.

I'm looking at getting the following:

http://www.toolsnow.com/browse.cfm/4,876.html
(7x12 Mini Lathe $450)
I mostly chose this based on price and included accessories. It comes with the basic lathe and:

Steady Rest
Moving Rest
6.25 face plate
Tailstock drill chuck

Am I right that the above stuff doesn't normally come with the lathe? So it's $50 cheaper and comes with ~$70 worth of extras?

I also plan on getting the kit listed below, which I think hooks me up with the rest of the "Needful things" to actually have fun using this thing.

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...3486&category=

What I'm not so sure on is the live centers. I will be turning 1.25 inch Sch 80 aluminium pipe mostly. (1.66 OD, 1.26 ID) Do I just use the steady rest and call it good? Will a regular live center fit the 1.26 ID of that pipe or do I need the special Bullnose live center? I found 3, but the price varies widely. Is there one that's best suited to turning pipe? (Looks like the HF is 55 degree angle, the others are 70 degree.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40090
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Bull...X-2-1-2-/H5901
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...3154&category=

Thanks all for the great information and wonderful site! I'm looking forward to cutting my teeth on cutting metal here. ;-)

[TroyO]

OK, I just got a 20% HF coupon that changes the picture... plus I found the 8x12 is on sale for $549 sooo... ($549 -20% = $439.20) for the 8x12. I think they have one in store too, so no shipping (But +Tax).

Off to do more research, LOL....

[andrew_h]

You can special-order a HF8x12 for $449, and apply the 20% coupon = $360 (+ tax). Great deal if you live within driving distance from one of their stores (and you have a way of transporting a 250lbs+ box)

[TroyO]

It was $549 on sale, then 20% off so it rang up to $478 with tax.

Still a dang good value, I think.

Now all I have to do is wait...............

I hate waiting.
Is it here yet?
I still hate waiting.
Is it here yet?

[TroyO]

I've got all the following on order now... not as much fun as having it on hand, but it still feels like X-Mas eve when I was about 8.. LOL

HF 8x12 (8x14 Lathe) $478

LittleMachineshop stuff:
3534 Tooling Package, 8x12, 8x14 Lathe
Turning Tool holder, A2Z CNC x 3
Center Finder, Drill Press PEC
Insert, TCMW-21.52 High Speed Steel x 5
Edge and Center Finder
Insert, TCMT-21.51 Carbide x 5
Total $293

Harbor Freight:
Live Center
Bullnose Live Center
HSS Tool bit blanks
4" digital Caliper
Total $60

So, for $831 I'm still (I think) on the good deal side of things. Am I missing anything major? I know there's still a steady rest, follow rest and face plate that are made for the 8 x 14, but do I really need them until I come across something that particularly requires them?