Which lathe to buy?

[Nateg281]

I'm totally new to machine shop and lathes in general. There are a lot of projects I'd like to start which require a lathe. I've narrowed it down to either a 7x12 or the HF 8x12. The 7x12 I would go with is this one:

http://www.toolsnow.com/catalogsearc...0&q=mini+lathe

or the HF 8x12 here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44859

I know the first questions that will be asked are along the lines of what I plan to do. I would have to answer I'm not totally sure right now, but don't want to end up with a lathe that is too small. I'm very interested in turning my own pulleys, and maybe machining some small axles for some projects I'm working on. I know the lathe at toolsnow.com has a LOT of accessories that come with it and has FREE shipping right now as well. Also, am I right to think that 7x12 accessories are easier/cheaper to come by than the less popular 8x12? I've read through all the reviews I can find online and have looked at a lot of posts on cnczone and still have trouble deciding. Any help I can get is great......

[Torsten]

Well first of the 8x12 is a much beefier stronger and better Lathe then the 7x12.
I believe the reason the 7x12 is more popular is that it has been around for a much longer time then the more recent 8x12 as far as publication is concerned.
There are a lot of vendors of these Machines and the differences in Pricing makes it worth to shop around a little.
The 8x12 is generally quite a bit more expensive then the 7x12 roughly double.
So your choice would depend on what you are willing to spend.
The size of these Lathes is close to equal and there is nothing the 7x12 can do that the 8x12 could not.
Most other accessories are totaly interchangeable between these Lathes and others in this class.
The 8x12 is also much heavier wich is a good thing in Metalworking machines.
Shopping around for a vendor wich offers good Service after sale may also a consideration.

[Nateg281]

I've never bought anything from Harbor Freight but I hear that they are pretty good at replacing damaged items and such. As for cost, the 7x12 would be around $535 shipped and the 8x12 would be around $640. The 7x12 also comes with a lot of things I would have to buy for the 8x12. I would love to hear from people who have both or one of these lathes and what they think......

[Crevice Reamer]

Those small lathes are ok for light duty work, but if you can possibly raise your budget a little, I think the Grizzly 10 x 22 is the most bang-for-the-buck:

http://grizzly.com/products/10-x-22-...al-Lathe/G0602

This is a REAL lathe, not a toy, with a 1" spindle bore, and can do REAL work. It comes with a bunch of free accessories, (Add these to the cost of your choices and see how much they cost then) and is on sale right now with FREE SHIPPING!

If you credit is reasonably good, and you buy before 12/29, you could get it on Bill Me Later for 6 months free interest.

CR.

[TroyO]

There's 20% HF cupons in a lot of woodworking and metalworking magazines too, which brings the HF price down to $440 for the 8x12 and $400 for the 7x12.

IMHO for the $40 difference you get a lot more lathe out of the 8x.

Of course, you have to order it in the store to use those... but then you can get it shipped to the store for free then too.

As to the 8x accesories, HF has been problematic on that front, but you can get the Steady and Follow rests from LMS as well... more spendy but they actually have them and will ship quick. The other common stuff you'd be better off aftermarket, really... the AXA toolpost is pretty standard and works with some modification.

HF has apparently gotten the 4 jaw chuck available now and has been shipping it quick.

Anything else you make yourself, LOL

[Nateg281]

Good replies all, but maybe I should clarify a few things. First of all my budget. I can't afford a $1000 lathe with or without free shipping. It really doesn't matter how awesome it is (it looks freakin sweet!) I just can't afford it. The 7x12 and 8x12 are in the realm of reality and my budget. I'd like to focus on those two or any other lathe in the $600 or under category. I'd really like to get the 8x12 I think if I can get it for 20% off.......

[Stirlingbuilder]

I'd go with the HF 8x12. I did, the 7x10 (or 7x12 for that matter) just didn't seem big enough. For just a bit more the 8x12 seems like alot more solid. Made my first real part with it today. Up until then I messed around with some spacers and did some knurling. Tooling hasn't been a problem and so far all the extras have come from HF. I got the four jaw chuck, 30 piece tool set, a live center, a tailstock 1/2" chuck and some misc items. I'm in for about 750.00 total. The lathe was 522.00 with the coupon and tax and I bought the 1 year extended warranty included in that price. Shipping was free to the store. I'm not in the trade but this lathe should suit me fine for my hobbies. When I'm in my local HF store, the 7x10 they have on display looks like a toy compared to the 8x12. If the store displayed both, I bet they would sell more of the 8x12, it looks nearly twice the size to me.

[Nateg281]

I got the four jaw chuck, 30 piece tool set, a live center, a tailstock 1/2" chuck and some misc items. I'm in for about 750.00 total. The lathe was 522.00 with the coupon and tax and I bought the 1 year extended warranty included in that price. Shipping was free to the store.

Do you recall any of the part numbers for those items? I know they aren't listed on the HF website. As for shipping to the store, I was told recently when I called the store that it would have to be shipped to my residence and it would be $88 for freight. When did you buy yours? I'm wondering if that sales person didn't know what they were talking about or if the HF policy on that has chanced.

[Stirlingbuilder]

The chuck is item# 12334 (125mm 4 jaw independent) 58.50 It bolts right on like the original 3 jaw chuck, no adapter needed.

I also bought replacement belts for the future so I won't have to mess around looking for them, there are two.
28587 T-belt
28728 v-belt Both together were about ten bucks.

Do a word search on http://www.harborfreight.com/ type in lathe. you will get five pages of lathes and their listed accessories. The tool set includes some measuring tools. you will need to shim cutting tools up with some 3/8ths square stock to center them with the work except the knurling tool and parting tool have different shim needs. Those cutters are not very good but work. I ordered them before my lathe arrived. I'm going to get item# 39933-2vga half inch carbide tools. From what I have measured, half inch tools should be the correct fit. A decent caliper or micrometer would be nice to have if you don't already. Another item I didn't get is the faceplate, I've read they have it for something like 12 bucks. You will have to ask about that one, I have no number.

I read on another site about a HF lathe review and that page mentioned the ship to home thing as well. I bought mine three weeks ago (11-15-2009) and they shipped it to the store on their Monday (weekly) truck order and I picked it up there. I'm only about a mile from the store, so it was perfect for me.

[Nateg281]

Thanks for the info on the accessories. I actually talked to a sales rep at HF today and they said if I pre-ordered it and paid in full there that they would ship to the store and if I used the 20% off coupon (found some on ebay for dirt cheap) I could get it for $440 plus tax. Not to shabby. I think I'm going to go that route. Just have to save up a little more.

On another note, how accurate did you find the HF 4-jaw chuck to be?

[Stirlingbuilder]

I have not mounted it up yet but I know it's right because I had removed the three jaw once to measure it and wrote it down. It came with a test/spec sheet but I'm not sure exactly what they tested. I did take it apart and clean it. All four jaws are independent so as far as accuracy, it's mostly in the setup anyway. The advantage of the four jaw is the ability to turn things off-center. If your going to always stay on center, a four jaw self-centering would be what you want for square stock etc. As far as I know, the HF optional four jaw is only available in independent. The quality looks as good as the original which isn't bad. This is a hobby lathe for me so take what I say with a grain of salt, I'm sure a real machinist doesn't think much of these small lathes. I made several parts over the weekend for one of my small engines and it performed well. There is a learning curve but it isn't hard to get up to speed with the basics.

[Nateg281]

Nice. I'll make sure that I add that chuck to my list of things to buy when I get my lathe. Any idea what you tell the HF reps to get the follow rest and steady rest for the lathe? Everything I've read indicates that few people know what the skus for those items are.....any help in that area would be awesome. Thanks for all the advice and keep it coming!