M14 Forum

brassmagnet · January 9th, 2012, 06:07 AM

Not sure if this is in the right forum, but I saw a few questions on lathes here, so......

OK - I've been doing some research on a bench top lathe for home use. Not going to into production work or anything like that - just home hobby and light metal projects. I wanted to keep the price under $1500.00, and have as much available space between centers as possible. I've read lot's of good reviews on Enco, SB, Grizzly, and Lathemaster.

I'm leaning towards a Lathemaster 9x30 or a Grizzly 11x26 (a little steep in $$ tho, and G-awful heavy!). All the 7x and 8x models have limited drive center lengths, and while barrel work is not planned, it seems like 14" is a tad short for any kind of rod work or fabricating work.

Has anyone had any experience or first hand knowledge on these LM lathes? I think I've read all the internet rhetoric on Grizzlys, so spare me any of that. SB and Enco are a little out of reach for the parameters I've set.

Yeah - I know - tooling is going to kill me too - but I can start out with minimum stuff if need be.....thanks in advance!

lee308 · January 28th, 2012, 04:10 PM

If you have room go with a grizzly 12x36 gear-head, single phase220v
I have been using one for years and never had a problem and it has a good size spindle bore for barrels price about $ 2700.00. later on get a good digital
readout and you will never look at the dials again.

lee

art7 · January 28th, 2012, 04:52 PM

Look on Craigslist and ebay. Times are tough, and a lot of people are dumping equipment. If it was quality new stuff it will be quality used stuff. Also, if they dump it, it might come with all the tooling. I just scored a real lathe with a 12 inch swing and 40 between centers with all the tooling 8" chucks, 3 jaw and 4 jaw and complete 5C collet set, quick change tool post with tool holders, live centers and cutters, all as a single lot. I had to hire a rigger to move it, but I suspect I have less in the whole thing than a new hobby setup would cost.

Also, if you get a lathe, look on ebay for a Chinese DRO. The digital electronics are getting dirt cheap these days. What used to be an $8000 DRO with circuit boards hand soldered in it is now all on one chip, and the setup can be had for $350. They will even customize it to make sure the scale lengths are right for your machine. A lathe with a DRO is a pleasure to work with.

Art

mineralman55 · January 29th, 2012, 05:09 AM

I've bought a lot of both machinery and accessories from Bob at Lathemaster. He's top notch and a very good machinist to boot. Learned a lot from him.

I have the 8x14, and had a Grizzley 7x12 for comparison. The LM lathes are very smooth, have massive ways on them but not a lot of bells and whistles. The headstock thru hole is 0.75", so if you can live with that, the LM are great.