Lathe Info

Meaningful discussion outside of the potato gun realm. Projects, theories, current events. Non-productive discussion will be locked.
cannon freak
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
Posts: 272
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 8:37 pm
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:11 pm

Could anyone suggest a good lathe. I would like to get a lathe because a lot of the different projects that I would like to do require me to use a lathe. I would like one that is capable of working with aluminum, I don't need a huge one just one big enough to make say 3 inch diameter rocket nozzles and stuff around that size.

Any suggestions would be really help full.

Thanks.
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boilingleadbath
Staff Sergeant 2
Staff Sergeant 2
Posts: 1635
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:35 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:51 pm

I hesitate to say it, but all metal lathes are capable of working any metal. The lower hosepower ones can't remove material as fast, that's all.
(however, using tool-steel cutting tools on things harder than aluminum will be a discurraging activity.)

Google for "mini lathe" or something like that. Get the biggest one you can reasonably afford, you'll thank yourself the first time you want to make a big project.

You can find 'em on E-bay too.
spudshot
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 1036
Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2004 7:16 am

Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:10 pm

look around on ebay for some older South Bend lathes, you can sometimes get them for only slightly more than those mini lathes cost.
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SpudStuff
Sergeant 5
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Posts: 1410
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:55 pm
Location: Cupertino, California
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Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:29 pm

and check the classifides in the news paper
cannon freak
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
Posts: 272
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 8:37 pm
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:37 pm

I never thought about the classifieds, Ill have to try them first.
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drac
Corporal 4
Corporal 4
United States of America
Posts: 899
Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 8:56 am
Location: Avon, NY
Been thanked: 2 times

Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:17 pm

My Harbor Freight mini-lathe, is really good, but innacurate because I've been too much of a lazy (and broke) bastard to set it up properly. If you can get it and set everything up , you're good for precision work.
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M3NT4L
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:40 pm

Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:50 pm

My dream is to get one but im too poor.
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