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Registered Member #75
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 09:30AM
Location: Montana, USA
Posts: 711
I realized that more and more of my projects involve metalworking in addition to electronics, so I am considering to extend my collection of expensive toys by a small metal lathe. For both monetary and space constraints I am limited to a small 12" benchtop unit.
My current favorite is something like this which is a 10 year old machine, but it is a good quality German make. There is a little bit of data (google translated from german) here:
I think some of you guys own quite a bit of machining tools, so maybe you can comment on how useful this type of lathe is?
Registered Member #75
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 09:30AM
Location: Montana, USA
Posts: 711
This Taig stuff looks really cool, I think if I was in the states I would go for that. But since I am on the "wrong" side of the big pond, and the lathe I was looking at is not that much more expensive, I'll stick with it. It also has all the bells and withels like auto feed, a milling attachment, lots of available extra parts...
It also frequently shows up on eBay, so I'll try to get one with a lot of accessories, and no missing parts .
Registered Member #69
Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 07:42AM
Location:
Posts: 116
There are lots of asian built mini lathes out there at very low cost. I am sure there is a distributor near you somewhere. They are very inexpensive and there's lots of accessories to be had for most since they are so popular. I'm sure that a German made unit will be much better built though. You should check to make sure it isn't just a rebranded asian model ... All that kind of thing sold in the US is actually rebranded chinese/taiwanese stuff.
I think it's a good idea to get the biggest one you can afford. That one has only 5" of swing over the bed and 2.4" from the cross slide. You just know you will find yourself wanting it bigger later... Here's an example of one that's a little bigger, still pretty cheap. Here's another bigger one, still small enough for a benchtop Here's another bigger one, still small enough for a benchtop
I just bought a benchtop milling machine, I'll have to wait before I snag one of these lathes...
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Shopping for a lathe
.
But why bother buy a lathe, when there is plenty at work 
