Best lathe for under $600

[Teyber12]

Originally Posted by aaron p I checked the harbor freight website and it shows that lathe at $600. Did your local store have a special or was it something else?? Ill buy it for $360. Thats cheap enough for me to make round spacers.

hey!

yes its only in the store. they didn't even have any info on it in any coupons- i had to ask the lady if there was a sale on item 44859.

cheers

edit: i also don't need a lathe at all really lol but for heavens sake i can use the snot out of it then if its gathering dust i can clean it off and sell it for $400 on craigslist or something

[EdwardX]

Yeah, the Sieg C4 is pricey for us... It sounds to be a fantastic lathe though. Travers and Retco are both carrying it at $1,599 with Retco providing free shipping.

The c4 has been available in the UK for awhile and at today's conversion rate the going price is about $1,222 in the stores. eBay UK dealers are selling them for about $1,012 bucks! Keep in mind both prices also include the VAT tax which is... what? 10% ? I would jump at one of these for 1200 let alone a grand.

So, one has to ask... is the 1.5hp variable speed motor, powered compound slide, cam lock tail stock etc... worth the $450 difference to a Grizzley 10x22? I don't know... I really like this C4 though.

Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer IMO, it is a bit pricy. I can say it uses the same electronics/motor as my Grizzly SX3, and they have held up well for me. I have heard some good things about it: http://www.mini-lathe.com/m4/C4/c4.htm http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59900 CR.

[aaron p]

Is the feed rate adjustable on the Z axis power feed on the harbor freight one? Id really like one with a infite adjustable spindle speed also.

[aaron p]

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-LATHE_W0QQi...3A1%7C294%3A50

Not bad for being brand new for under $100! Save me a TON of money

[caleb105]

Originally Posted by aaron p http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-LATHE_W0QQi...3A1%7C294%3A50 Not bad for being brand new for under $100! Save me a TON of money

Notice the shipping? $420

[aaron p]

there is a ground shipping option of around $80 at the bottom of the add. I live in texas also, so anywhere in texas UPS ground is next day to me.

[caleb105]

I didn't want to start a separate thread for this question, so I figured I would just post it here....

What is the largest piece you can pass through the head of the 8x12/14 lathe? 1.5"? 2"?

Thanks!

-Caleb105-

[Teyber12]

Originally Posted by caleb105 I didn't want to start a separate thread for this question, so I figured I would just post it here.... What is the largest piece you can pass through the head of the 8x12/14 lathe? 1.5"? 2"? Thanks! -Caleb105-

i think HF says 3/4".

cheers

[Crevice Reamer]

Yep! .79 inch, but some CHUCKS will not pass 5/8 inch.

The 10-22 has a 1 inch spindle bore. You can get 1 7/16 in a 12 x 24 or 12 x 37. To get 1/1/2 inch bore from a Grizzly costs a lot more. The Grizzly Gunsmith lathe has a 1 5/8 bore for $2700.

CR.

[caleb105]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Anybody know of a 4-jaw chuck for the 8x12/14 that will pass 3/4" ?

That bit of info would be super helpful!

-Caleb105-

[Crevice Reamer]

Here you go:

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...ProductID=2338

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...2961&category=

CR.

[caleb105]

That's EXACTLY what I was looking for!

Thank you!