I gots myself a new lathe...

G

gixxer

Joined
Sep 21, 2006
Messages
1,472
Yay! I love it when travel pay finally shows up in the bank account. I got a HF 7x10 mini lathe. Lucky for me the HF store is a hair over one mile from my house. I probably could have gotten the next bigger model for $80 more but whatever. Next check goes to the KMG! The wife thought metal dust was bad, wait till I start tracking shavings through the living room!!!!

In Quagmire's voice "ALLRIGHT!!!"
 
if you haven't watched it, look at Rashid's 7 X 10 instructional video
congrats now make chips
 
9x20 :) - just the mods. I'd consider returning the mini, if you can upgrade to 9x20 for $80.
 
the one for $80 more is a 7x12, not the 9x20. I wish that was the case cause I would have gone for the 9x20.
 
The 9x20 is 1000 times a better lathe then the HF mini. The first time you stall it the speed control will be smoked. The motor is nothing more then a blender motor and the mounts are not very strong at all. The threads will strip out the first time you go to tighten the motor after a belt change.

I went through three of those minis several years ago before I got my money back and bought a JET 9x20.
 
i think i would go with a bigger one. just about everybody i have talked with, wishes he had a bigger one..(lathe that is....) i have a 13x40 that seems big enough for the time being.
 
The mini is OK - I've had one for a few years (still have it, in case any1 is interested, pickup in NJ). I upgraded mine to a longer bed (7x14) and did few other mods. Never had any issues with it, just wanted to get something bigger :)

I got my 9x20 for $500 at local HF - that's the outta door price, back when they still had
20% coupons .
 
I remember hearing about all those 20% coupons. Would have been pretty sweet to get the 9x20 for that price.

I was in the process of cleaning the red grease off and I actually looked at the nameplate, and I have the 7x12. Completely different stock ## than what is on the manual, even says 7x12 on the side. Dunno how that happened or what, but I am not complaining. That red grease is a pain.

I am sure I might outgrow this, but for now it will work for turning skullcrsushers, pommels, and powerheads for shark defense.

Anyhow off to Depot to get some white grease.
 
littlemachineshop.com is a good resource for parts and upgrades include new improved pots that don't smoke after the first stall. I bought a old used one and completly refurbished it with the electronics they offer. works great
 
Rashid11,
Do you have a mod to replace the tiny drive belt on the 9x20 HF lathe? Mine finally broke ,and I can't seem to find a replacement here in Canada. I contacted HF, and they do have replacement belts for only $12.50, but they seem reluctant to ship to Canada. Is there an alternative to stockpiling the things in preparation for more breakages?
thanks,Don
 
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