$72 micro metal lathe at harbor freight

[jrrdw]

1/5th HP motor. Enco.com is the place to get tooling. Looks like you'll need 1/8th cutting bits...

[inonickname]

Let us know. I'd be interested to see if it's capable of turning steel (or even harder stuff). Aluminum would probably work alright on it.

It's tricky to tell what size cutting bits would fit. 1/4" Might work, but it isn't actually stated. 1/8" would definitely fit.

[metalmeltr]

This is okay if the largest piston valve you want to make is about 1.5" but think you will want a bigger lathe very quickly.

[ramses]

actually it only has a lead screw. No change gears AFAIK, but you get a hand wheel on the right side to move the saddle. This might do steel okay, I actually managed to turn (very badly) some hardened O1 (rockwell C ~62) on my 7x14 with carbide tooling. Then I annealed, and everything is better. except the brazed carbide tool I used...

As to the chuck, you might be able to get a 3" chuck on it. You need to consider the swing over saddle more than swing over bed. The swing over bed assumes the saddle is not under the work piece, which means you are turning a plate. Not necessarily bad, but keep it in mind.

[joepage2008x2]

Dont buy it, when a lathe is that cheap its bound to be crap. I bought a lathe similar to this about 3 years ago, after I saved enough money I bought a good big and sturdy lathe.

My old lathe was twice the length but was very inaccurate and was not sturdy enough even though it was cast iron and weighed about 80lb's. I couldnt get a good finish on anything.

here is the lathe i have Mk. 1 Viceroy "TDS 1"
http://www.lathes.co.uk/viceroy/

[ONEWING]

Check youtube, the lathe has quite a few movies.

[D_Hall]

Some noob questions.
What could you do with this lathe? Does this have the same functions as a larger one, cutting O ring groves, Cutting threads ect. just on smaller pieces?

For items that small you really wouldn't need the lathe to cut the threads directly. Just use the chuck with a live center and tap/die and you shouldn't have any problems (assuming you aren't doing anything bizarre).

[metalmeltr]

Is the speed slow enough to use a tap or die withh this? It seems like it would be to fast to use a regular old tap or die in this lathe.

[Demon]

Just dont buy that ...

Wait for the sieg 7 x 12 (not the 7 x 10 as it is 7 x 8 in reality)

[c11man]

onthe specs it says that the tool capacity is 7/16 so no not 1/8

[inonickname]

Is the speed slow enough to use a tap or die withh this? It seems like it would be to fast to use a regular old tap or die in this lathe.

Turning the chuck manually when using taps/dies is usually a good idea unless you're very confident in your setup. Doesn't take very long anyway.

[joepage2008x2]

I use my lathe to centre the taps or dies and then turn the chuck manually like what inonickname says. Remember when tapping to do one full turn then back half a turn to clear the threads - makes a better thread and makes you tools last longer, you dont get this when you let the lathe do the work

[twizi]

My bet is that the motor is weak let us know sandman.

I dont think it will be too bad, it better not be i gave up a G&G m14 for this.

what why a g&g m14 is about 140 last time i checked why not just keep it and get 72 bucks from your job or somthin
a G&G is a great gun had one but i sold it for 400 because it had so many upgrades

[Duane31]

Here you guys go. This is a video of said lathe. I've tried to use one once, gosh, it is very limited indeed. It isn't too bad, but attempting to do air rifle stuff such as valve work and what not leaves much to be desired. This is basically a HOBBY/HOBBIES lathe for very small projects, i.e. an older retired friend who owns one uses it to make little tiny parts for model trains. He has built a very, very nice 1854 functioning steam engine locomotive that is N scale!! He has other sizes too, but an actual steam engine that is N gauge is amazing to me.

Okay, the you tube vid:

[D_Hall]

Is the speed slow enough to use a tap or die withh this? It seems like it would be to fast to use a regular old tap or die in this lathe.

as mentioned by others, you'll want to turn the chuck manually. The advantage of using the lathe is that it makes it easier to keep the tap straight while controlling axial forces. The result is usually a better product with less work than if you tried to do it "freehand."