Finally getting a lathe --

Burchtree

Burchtree

KnifeMaker & Moderator
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With the folder and bali makin' it is time to pick up a small lathe. I'm probably just going to get the HF 7x10. Is it worth spending the extra money on the 8x12? Any suggestions on necessary tooling I should get with it? Also; what steel should I look for in stop pins and other such things?

Thanks!
 
I feel the 8 x 12 is worth the extra money. Go larger than that if you can afford to. A 14 x 40 is a good size lathe. Carbide insert tooling is the way to go. You'll need an outside turning tool like a 55 degree diamond shape, a cutoff tool, maybe some grooving tools, a drill chuck for the tailstock, a carbide center drill, and a live center.
 
The HF 7x10 is a total POS. The motor is way under powered and stalls out alot. A stall will smoke the electronic speed control. The gears are plastic and the drive belt is extremely whimpy. You also get less then 6" of working length even though the bed is 10".

I have a JET 9x20 and there is no comparison to the HF mini. A couple months ago I got a 5" 4 jaw auto centering chuck from Bison. That has increased what I can do now by three times.
 
Interesting. I know it is far from the best, but I don't plan on doing a lot of work on it -- mainly pivots, thumbstuds, etc.
 
You will wish you got a better lathe later on when you learn how to use it. I say go for a used Southbend, Leblonde, Harding, Atlas (You can usually find these for a good price on e-bay). There are others but these are VERY WELL made machines and last. I have a 10 inch precision Heavy Southbend and Love it. Chose wisely as HF lathes are the lowest end. You get what you pay for. Plus, when you buy a used lathe you generally get the tooling which can add up to some big bucks. Just my thoughts.
 
I started off with a 7x10, later upgraded the bed to longer one via LittleMachineShop's kit and finally acquired 9x20.

My 7x10 was solid - they had serious QC problems ~5 years ago.

Here's the thing: I bought my 9x20, brand new, at a local HF store for $500.
It was on sale, there's was the 15% coupon and the manager told me he'd
sell it to me for $500 bux if I were to also get the extended warranty.

I managed to get him to sell it to me for $500 w/o warranty (I modded the hell
out of it). If you can match this deal, then buy 9x20 :) .

But: 9x20 is not variable speed outta box, it has no tumbler reverse and you can not
move it around @ will, like I did with my 80lb 7x12
 
I have been working with Stainless Steels, tool steels, etc. for about 35 years and these harder materials can be a pain to machine without the right cutting tools. I would also pick up some High speed steel tool bits which cut the steel rather then push it as carbide does. The HHS tool bit can be ground to any shape you desire. Go with cobalt drill bits and center drills as they will not shatter like carbide. They are also less costly. I have always found the finish better with HSS. Just worked better for me and the other machinists in the shop.
Buy the best machine you can afford even if it takes a you little longer to acquire. Garbage produces more garbage. Good luck with your venture.
 
I make all of my hammers, hammer handles and drill out pipe hawk handles on mine. But I do alot of other types maching projects besides knives. After I make a couple knives I take a break do something different.

Like a shot glass out of 150 yr old iron.
shotglass2-web.jpg


Wood carving gouge handle out brass, copper and pacific yew.

woodgouge-web.jpg


Horn pipe for a tomahawk.
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Candle holder for wife.
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Magnesium sharpening stone and storage handle for a survival knife.

survival17-web.jpg

survival15006-web.jpg

survival15003-web.jpg


Indian head nickel ring for my daughter.
ihnring002.png


Assorted different hidden tang saw handles. This one is bronze.
Tangsaw.jpg
 
Do you remember the line in "Independence Day", where Will Smith is taking the alien space ship up for the first time. He yells, "I gotta get me one of these!!!".

Well, when it comes to a lathe, I've been saying for years, "I gotta get me one of these!!!".

I'll be saving this thread for down the road when I'm ready to get a lathe. The advice and input will be valuable. Thanks guys.

Ickie
 
I have the speedway series 7x12 from Homier Distributing. I have not any problems with it. I am told that about all these size imports come from the same factory just painted a different color. Homier had the best price. I use mine for pipe hawk bowls,clean out plugs and dowels,not to mention all the non blade making projects like was mentioned.
IMG_1867.jpg
 
Now I have serious lathe envy. Nice pieces everyone!

I knew if I asked I would be told to get something nicer, but now I'm really wondering what I should do. Of course, I also need an oven, some more VFD stuff, parts for my press, etc. :grumpy:
 
Both 7x1x and 9x20 have quite a following on the web. Newgroups, forums - complete with pics, projects etc. You can go wrong with either one. But, if you have space for 9x20 -
and it _has to be stationary_ space, go for it.

If space is limited and would like to be able to take yer lathe off the table to stow it away and/or just push outta way, 7x1x is the way to go .


Now, if you have both space and money (as in few Gs) - there's many more opps out there. I'd still consider one of Grizzly's lathes, as opposed to used American iron. Their
"gunmaker" lathe looks simply incredible.
 
If you're ONLY going to make small parts, have a serious look at a Taig, Sherline, or Unimat. They're sturdy enough and precise enough for what knifemakers need and they don't cost your left testicle like a Levin will. I have a variable speed Unimat (purchased at a garage sale for $30) that is great. For bigger projects, I have an old Rockwell 11". It's great for turning out custom engine-swap mounts/wheel-spacers for ATVs and motorcycles, as well as turning parts for my homemade grinders and what-not. The used market is pretty good for these gems, so, for what you'd spend on an import it just makes sense. Good luck.
-Mark
 
Don't mean to cause more confusion, but I have a Sherline and honestly, I would go for the Harborfreight 7x10 ... (3/4HP vs. 1/2 HP for the sherline) if you have the space.

If you have an extra $110 and space, I would recommend the 8 x 12, as it is more than twice the weight = more stability.

My sherline's nice and portable but I've seen and used the 8 x 12 HF version and it's more rigid, heavier and smoother. My sherline falls over if it's not bolted down. Fine machine, but the cheesy extruded aluminum isn't the strongest. Steel is better.

Basically go for the biggest one you can afford/ have space for. Hopefully you have space for the 8 x 12 -if you don't want one of those HUGE ones. ;)

Just my 2 cents.
 
Half of the projects you think you can do on a small lathe , you can't. Go for the biggest one you can afford.
 
Remember somethings you need to more than double the length. Say you want to drill a hole thru a 6" piece. The piece is 6" plus the drill needs to be 6" plus the chuck and tail stock assy. I recently made a 12" long brass cannon and drilling the 3/4" hole 10 1/2" deep took a good share of my 26" bed.
 
Lots of good advice already, like buy the biggest lathe you can afford. Unfortunately in my part of the country there isn’t a very large market in used machine tools. I have had the Grizzly 7x12 for about 4 years, and like another poster I have and still am modifying it, mini-lathe.com and littlemachineshop.com are good pages to look at to start. I also looked at Sherline machines, including a bit of hands on with one in the university art metals studio. One thing that steered me towards the Grizzly was the availability of 3rd party tooling and accessories, a lot of stuff is available from regular industrial suppliers and some things like morse taper tooling you may be able to use on a larger lathe if you move up where Sherline, Tiag and similar companies tooling seems to be pretty specific to their machines. I have done some stuff like working titanium on the mini lathe I didn’t think I would be able to do. Someone said they consider these mini machine tools as kind of a kit, you are going to have to do some work and tinkering, but with some care and creativity you can turn out fine work. Someone mentioned ebay, I look there to watch the market and pricing, but I would be very leery of buying a machine that you can’t look at in person.

Todd
 
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