Metal Lathe?

Michael, I probably have the largest collection of HF tools on the planet :eek: , including two HF lathes -- the 7X10 and the 3 in 1 machine.

I am not a machinist by any stretch, but believe these are good machines for the money. My 7X10 has some accuracy issues but this has more to do with me not knowing how to get everything set up properly than with the machine being incapable of accurate work. There are a plethora of websites devoted to the 7X10 (Grizzly and others also offer it too).

FWIW, I got the 7X10 first and immediately found I also needed a milling machine, hence my purchase of another tool. Check out the 3 in 1 machine if you think this might be true for you too. (The 3 in 1 machine will not cut threads, though, so I decided to keep the small machine.)

Both are often on sale, the lathe-mill-drill was on sale for $550 and my buddy talked the local store down to $500 (who would have thought? :cool: ) It's a big machine, though, took half a day and a rented winch to get it into my basement, not a day I care to duplicate.

This is probably too long-winded an answer. Basically, you can make any lathe accurate if you know how and have the patience. I think the price is right on this one. Just my 2c.

Dave
 
Hey L6

If you go to this site you`ll
fine every thing you need to
know about the lathe.
http://www.cctrap.com/~varmint/alath.htlm

Harbor Freight also has a 8 1/2x18 for $599.97
but have to be a inside track member.

If the url does not work, then do a
search for Varmint Al`s then go to
the lathe page:)
 
Here is another great page you might want to check out <a href="http://www.mini-lathe.com/">Mini-Lathe</a><br>
It has alot of info about modifications and tuning.
 
I've been thinking about getting the 3-in-1 (lathe, mill, drill) form Harbor Freight. Can someone post there impressions or experience with this one? Would this unit be as good as a regular desktop mill from HF?

Thanks -chris
 
Thanks for the information and links folks!! I had one of the multi machines and had horrible luck with it but I didn't have a clue how to tweek a machine like that to make things run true.
 
Chris, I have about 8 hrs use on mine, here's what I've experienced so far. I have only used the mill.

The mill tools are supported by a chuck rather than collets, and the chuck in mine doesn't want to stay put under much load. It won't hold with a 3/4" end mill, for example.

Anyone have suggestions on solidifying the chuck in the spindle? I've whapped it with a 2 lb hammer, but there's not much room to get a hammer moving under it.

Also, as I was turning away one day there came a loud -POP!- and a bit of smoke came up from the motor head. I continued working for a while with no obvious ill effects, but next day it wouldn't run under any kind of load. I pulled the motor and the local HF store swapped me the motor in the display unit.

Anyone have any idea what might have happened there?

So, I guess my recommendation would have to be caution. Again, I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing with this thing, though I did finally find an inexpensive book that suggests I haven't done anything too wrong yet. :rolleyes:

By the way, this thing weighs nearly 500 lbs, it is no simple matter to move it.

I'd sure like to hear anyone's suggestions what's going on with my chuck and the motor.

Dave
 
Hey Sylvester, Greg and Rob -- thanks for the pointers to Mini Lathe info, great stuff!

I am wrestling with myself not to take up building model steam engines too! My wife would throw me out, and what would I do without all these tools?!

Dave
 
Dave Larson, ask your spefic lathe question(s) in rec.crafts.metalworking. Lot's of experienced machinists there that should be able to help.
 
tmickley, thanks for the newsgroup suggestion, I wouldn't have thought of that. :rolleyes:

Michael, I should have said the machine didn't come with collets, just the chuck. After dropping the chuck so many times I've been thinking about getting a collet set -- pricey! I'll have to sell a couple more knives before I can buy any more tools. ;)

Thanks for the help,
Dave
 
Mike
Lathes are generally preety good if there new and set up right
Make sure there level
Make sure to indicate the tail stock in .
Collets are great for holding good tir!
 
Michael, I would look at the Unimat4 or the Sherline mini lathes. Both of them are very accurate, easy to use and have available alot of accesories. I have a Unimat3 and a Atlas 6 inch lathe. The Unimat is much easier to use when makeing stand offs, piviot pins, and thumb studs than useing the bigger Atlas lathe.
 
I have two videos that have the 7x12 table top lathe they are very indepth and shows you everything about the lathes and how it works and shows cuts that can be done and what it is able to do.Grizzly has the 7x12 the 8x12 has a longer bed but the grizzly has a better backing
when it comes to fixing it if any thing goes wrong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top