SpudFiles

Im thinking of just buying this
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-x-1 ... ader-95607

Yeah it's a bit large... but it's the cheapest one I could find...

About the tooling holder, I don't want to make that out of wood. I was thinking some sort of strong plastic. The pictures are not final, I'm still trying to think of ways to improve it (stfu jsr) and make it stronger etc.

Haven't seen many chucks attached directly to the motor, any problems with that?

It puts more stress on the motor if you don't use a bearing. Just make sure your motor is up for the wear.

Edit: if you just want a lathe, buy one. I'm only building one (attempting) because I like building things. I'm leaning a bit towards the small side for safety reasons. Also might allow me to use a small chuck. This is only a small project for fun. I think I'll start over in my design and model it with a 1/2" drill chuck and less length. That way it's safer, easier, and cheaper, and I don't need to worry about big chucks anymore.

clemsonguy1125 wrote:Im thinking of just buying this
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-x-1 ... ader-95607

They work but these are a lot better: http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-x-1 ... 44859.html

When I got mine it was like $450 (on sale) $650 regularly. now $999. Wow what a jump in price!

Ill see, It might actually be cheaper just to buy a 100 dollar lathe, unless I can find a vacuum to rip one from.

100 bucks.
Check my edit on previous post.

Gunfreak-the one I linked to is constantly on sale for 100, and has more than one star. I may see about getting a used JET lathe or a used nicer brand.

Just wondering, why do you need one?

By the way I found a nice 2" chuck from harbor freight that would work for 35 bucks, not too big, but can hold bigger stuff than a drill chuck. May be difficult to mount though.

Jet, Grizzly, Harbor Freight, Norther tool, etc... they mostly use the same Chinese model and re brand it for models up to 10" appx.

if your getting a used lathe - get a nice southbend!

So JETs and HF are the same quality? I might get a shop fox.

mobile chernobyl wrote:Jet, Grizzly, Harbor Freight, Norther tool, etc... they mostly use the same Chinese model and re brand it for models up to 10" appx.

if your getting a used lathe - get a nice southbend!

Grizzly=/=HF. There is pretty significant difference in quality. I do agree however that older American lathe are better machines. The problem is that it is easy for a person new to lathes to buy lemon because they do not know what to look for.

i too have been thinking of making a lathe. i already have a perfect motor for it 1/3 hp 250-1250 rpm

Crna, since I believe you're going for a metal lathe, would you like Dave Gingery's books on making a lathe & mill? The offer's open for anyone.

There's a lot of casting involved, and you'll need access to a lathe and mill to complete it.

Zeus wrote:Crna, since I believe you're going for a metal lathe, would you like Dave Gingery's books on making a lathe & mill? The offer's open for anyone.

There's a lot of casting involved, and you'll need access to a lathe and mill to complete it.

Yeah it'd be a good read even if i can't make it by the book, i can use the lathe/mill at work but have to do it secretly because my boss is a stooge.

Im making for just so im doing something not to be super high precision tool but hopefully i could use it to turn pistons and light stuff mostly plastic and if it can brass or alu.

do you have access to a mill or lathe? might need something turned that my boss already said i can't do at work.

Is the email in your profile ok to send it to?


I don't have access to any machining gear yet, I'll be buying them next late next year or after (depending if I can get a job at a certain mine, $1000 per week after a month. If not, I'll have to live with $700 a week as a lab tech).

This lathe will perform just as well as any commercial lathe, but it's quite involved, casting the bed and such.

Yeah that email good, what would you be doing in the mines? ill probs go up after my apprenticeship is over.