Lathe Info

[cannon freak]

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.

[boilingleadbath]

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]

look around on ebay for some older South Bend lathes, you can sometimes get them for only slightly more than those mini lathes cost.

[SpudStuff]

and check the classifides in the news paper

[cannon freak]

I never thought about the classifieds, Ill have to try them first.

[drac]

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.

[M3NT4L]

My dream is to get one but im too poor.