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Cheap Lathe
MikeR - 13/10/08 at 06:28 PM

I keep hankering after a lathe.

I've got no space.

I think i only want to do little jobs. Make a spacer here. Add a grove there, bore out something else etc. Nothing more than a few cm's in size.

(i'm sure i'll change my mind as soon as i get a lathe).

So what do people think of .....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190255065912

or even better as its cheaper,


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370095779890

coozer - 13/10/08 at 06:30 PM

They not very strong or stiff, your better off with a proper second hand one.

Like this:Lathe

Wadders - 13/10/08 at 06:37 PM

Mike
make the space and save up for a myford or similar 3.5" lathe, keep an eye out here
http://www.homeworkshop.org.uk/latest.html
If you scroll down the ads, there is an ML4 for £95, although i would guess it might be long gone.

al.

Originally posted by MikeR
I keep hankering after a lathe.

I've got no space.

I think i only want to do little jobs. Make a spacer here. Add a grove there, bore out something else etc. Nothing more than a few cm's in size.

(i'm sure i'll change my mind as soon as i get a lathe).

So what do people think of .....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190255065912

or even better as its cheaper,


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370095779890

will121 - 13/10/08 at 06:41 PM

it seems a good price ive looked at a simular one in MachineMart @£470, its horses for courses and depends on what you are looking to do with it, the main restriction on the small lathe's can be the small size of the chuck spindle bore which can restrict machining longer tubes ect bigger diameter than the 20mm bore.

just looked at the two, if you can afford the better 1 go for that! the other is just to small!

[Edited on 13/10/08 by will121]

David Jenkins - 13/10/08 at 06:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Wadders

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370095779890


That thing is tiny! Might be OK for making engines for the smaller model aircraft, but not much use for anything else. You'd find it frustrating as you wouldn't be able to take any significant cuts. Cutting grooves for O-rings would challenge it severely.

There's no substitute for bulk and weight in lathes - not what you want to hear, but that's the way it is. I have a Colchester Student lathe that weighs more than my Locost - in the engineering world it's regarded as a light-weight training lathe!

Your best bet is a Myford, as said earlier - you can mount one on a sturdy cupboard, if you put a piece of thick flat plywood under it. Almost any Myford can be fixed or repaired - the only things that prevent that are broken castings and excessive wear on the bed (and even that can be re-ground).

The Baron - 13/10/08 at 06:53 PM

I have the clarke one from machine mart. i have used it a lot to make stuff like spacers etc, I have even used it to make some track rod extensions, They work great on stuff like nylon and alluminium, mild steel if you take it low with small cuts, no chance with stainless. they are really aimed at the model maker.

on the up side, they are cheap, small, and the bits are easily avalible with loads of 'mini lathe' web-sites

cheers,

B

zilspeed - 13/10/08 at 06:54 PM

The real problem some of us have is a sginificant lack of space.

I would struggle to find space for a mini lathe, far less a proper lathe.

Again - horses for courses.

although I would like to build an extension by way of an add on shed.

David Jenkins - 13/10/08 at 07:01 PM

An alternative to the usual Myford ML7 is its smaller cousin, the ML10.

LINK

You'll find the lathe site very informative - there's descriptions of almost every lathe on the market.

dogwood - 13/10/08 at 07:02 PM

I would say save your money as well
Get a second hand Myford or similar
You won't be disappointed

David

My lathe, bought on Eblag last year
£250 with more tools than you could carry.

MikeR - 13/10/08 at 07:43 PM

i guess i'll just have to keep dreaming then, i really don't have the space for anything bigger. I knew what the replies would be but was being hopeful.

triumphdave - 13/10/08 at 08:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
i guess i'll just have to keep dreaming then, i really don't have the space for anything bigger. I knew what the replies would be but was being hopeful.


I have plenty of room but no money to buy one,sooo what about you buy it and i will keep it at my place.I wont charge you storage if you let me use it.

thunderace - 13/10/08 at 10:03 PM

take a look at this i want one but its too far away from me
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/clark-lath-cl-500-with-miller_W0QQitemZ320309972534QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320309972534&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A 2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

dogwood - 14/10/08 at 07:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by thunderace
take a look at this i want one but its too far away from me


yea! I looked at them as well at my local Machine mart. Seemed resonable quality for the money, and the advantage of a milling head. I'm amazed how often I wish I had a mill.
David

zilspeed - 14/10/08 at 10:17 AM

I reckon ownership of a mini lathe is something that people don't admit to.

Personally, I would have one and live with the limitations. I mean, do you need to make a bush or two, or is it full size trains we're building here ?

[Edited on 14/10/08 by zilspeed]

David Jenkins - 14/10/08 at 11:50 AM

There are good little lathes, and there are bad ones...

A Cowells lathe is brilliant for a table-top lathe, as long as you accept its limitations. The down-side is that they command a high price second-hand, and rarely come on the market. If I could find one at a good price I'd snap it up, even though I have 1 full-sized lathe and a smaller 'modeller's lathe'.

On the flip-side, there are some little Chinese lathes that look like they've been built out of putty...

[Edited on 14/10/08 by David Jenkins]

Mix - 14/10/08 at 04:25 PM

Hi

I have owned one of the larger types you posted for three years now. I have used it for numerous tasks and provided you take things easy it will perform. It will never be as proficient as a Myford but when cost and space are considerations I'd recommend it.
Turning steel is a bit of a challenge but aluminium alloy, copper, brass and plastics are fine.

Regards Mick