SpudFiles

I'm thinking of investing in a mini-lathe to improve my gun-building capabilities, and since I know that a lot of you advanced spudders out there have similar machines of your own I was hoping for some guidance. I am a complete noob when it comes to lathes and I am looking for something as cheap as is consistent with decent quality (for cutting o-ring grooves, machining parts to custom diameters, etc.) and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Most of the mini-lathes are right around $400. I bought <a href="http://www.toolsnow.com/browse.cfm/4,876.html">this model</a> and I have been very happy with it. It comes with a bunch of accessories and is overall a great buy. Keep in mind, a lathe is an investment; you are going to need to buy several tools (bench grinder, hex key sets, etc) to use in conjunction with the lathe. You need to make your own tools and such. Plus, once you own it for a while (I've had mine operating for three months) you probably are going to look to improve the tool. I'd check out <a href="http://www.mini-lathe.com">mini-lathe.com</a>; it is a tremendous resource.

I have the Harbor Freight 8X12. Has been great so far. I have about 700 rapped up into it by now.

hmm i would like a mini lathe... but it seems pointless as i wouldn't use it too often and my grandpa has a full size one so if i planned ahead i could use his.... and i've got other things to spend my money on...

it would be a decent bit of kit to have... but then there is the money for tooling etc. and i'm such a miser

Lathe sounds like a good idea, ill keep an eye on this thread. Im unsure if this helps but for who ever is very ambitious when it comes to building stuff: http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com

Look around for 30seconds and you will finds his little diary about how he built a lath, great site.