Any small lathes worth owning?

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I have a few projects in mind that will require a few odds and ends to be machined out of steel, nothing bigger than 6 inches long and 4-5 in dia., probably smaller than that. I could just draw up the design and have a machine shop make the parts, but I've always wanted a lathe, and there are tons of other things I can see it being usefull for, so I'm looking to possibly pick one up, but have no idea where to start, I've looked at the HFT stuff and it seems decent, but I don't know enough to tell if they are junk, or pretty nice. I've also looked on Ebay and Craigslist and keep finding pretty good deals on larger machines, but I don't have room for one just yet. I'm in college and don't have a shop at the house, luckily my parents are only and hour away so I can keep my tools there, but their garage is full with my dad's woodworking tools, so compact size is a must for anything I buy.Any suggestions as to what's good, what to stay away from, where to buy it, how much I should expect to spend?Thanks ahead of time, Max
Reply:I don't know if I'll ever be able to justify spending on a lath and/or a mill (in my own mind) but I've always wanted both.Here is a pretty good web site I've been looking at off and on that gives some good info and links to other sites about the small lathes and mills:http://www.mini-lathe.com/Default.htmIn terms of size, for parts 6" long by 4-5" diameter, apparently the swing over the cross slide can be a more important spec than swing over bed depending on what you plan to make.  A 7" lathe will allow you to face a 5" diameter part for sure, but to machine the sides of it, or get the tail stock on the end of it, I'm pretty sure you would need to make sure you could get the cross slide under the part so also keep an eye on the swing over cross slide spec when you decide on which lathe is big enough.
Reply:Sorry, I don't have any recommendations on current new, small lathes.  I can relate my experience for what it's worth.As a teenager (almost 60 years ago) I bought for $100 a Logan 9" swing 24" bed lathe with a manual change backgear set from my next door neighbor who was moving to a retirement home.  It was perfect for my miscellaneous projects for a decade or two and a perfect starter lathe for me.A quick-change gearbox is obviously desirable, but for a hobbiest a manual change gear set is fine for the occasional threading task.While I have absolutely no experience with the very small lathes that are very cute, but limited to modelmaking or very small work, I'd recommend against them.  I know that I would quickly be frustrated by the limitation on work size.  However, only you can judge what capacity you require and the types of workpieces you have to handle.As with most tools, soon after you buy any tool you come up with a project requiring more capacity.  That's life.You realize, of course, that this is only the start.  Once you get a lathe, pretty soon you find that you really need a bigger one with quick-change gearbox.  Then you need a bandsaw and a drill press and ....   I now have three vertical mills, a horizontal mill, three lathes, three drill presses, a shaper, two bandsaws,  a hydraulic press, an arbor press, and very little room to walk around in my basement and garage.  It's been fun and a hell of a ride.I've heard others say that buying one of the chinese imports from HF, et. al., is basically buying a kit that will require cleaning and tuning up to become a useful, reasonably accurate tool.  My bias is that old American-made tools are a better investment than one of the cheap imports.  Don't forget to subscribe to, "The Home Shop Machinist."Have fun.awright
Reply:I have a microlux 7x20 and a HF 9x20.  I got them both used.  The 7x was  in new condition with milling attachment and several accessories.  Neither had any modifications when I purchased them.  I purchased the 7x for a project.  I quickly found out It was too small. If you know you will be turning 4+" diameters, then the 7x is tool small.  It is too small because you will be working near its max.  I don't think the stock chuck will allow you to mount 4 inches.The 9x is fine. The only modification that is an absolute must is the mounting assembly for the compound slide.  A heavier assembly improves the cutting dramatically.  The lead screw does not reverse. This may be a problem if you want to cut left handed threads.  It weighs about 200 awkard lbs.As stated this is only the beginning.  You'll need measuring instruments.  You will want a saw, a drill press, a mill, bench grinder, tool bits etc.There are many sites.  google 9x20 lathe.  Also, check out Yahoo groups for information on lathes.    I am glad I never had to clean one.  However, for the money they will do what they are supposed to do.  It appears to me most modifications are done by user looking for a specific characteristic and also people who have used more expensive lathes. Also, moding the lathe is like moding a car for some users.  The 7x will work as is.  The 9x definitly needs a heavier compound mounting assembly.
Reply:Thanks for the feedback, I know this is just the begining for most, it's more of the beggining of the end for me. I allread have a drill press, all sorts of grinders, a belt sander, 3 welders, small bending break, tubing notchers, all sorts of saws, plasma, ect. This will just be the first step towards getting a full machine shop in the garage, but that has to wait untill I have a better job, and a house of my own to put it all in.I'll look into the 9x20's, not sure I need a thread cutting attachment yet, I mainly want to make bushings, and other assorted spacers, and tube clamps. As long as it's under 200lbs I can probably find an out of the way place to store it while not in use.Keep the advice and tips comming, I appreciate it a lot.I'm pretty certain this one would handle everything I need, and more http://www.bixbymachine.com/images/lathe106.jpgLast edited by maxyedor; 04-27-2007 at 04:20 AM.
Reply:A 200 pound lathe (or at least my 9" Logan) is a lot heavier than you think.  It is not something you stick into the corner for storage and pull out when you have a little job.  Consider the possibility that you might find that you need permanent bench space for it.  I suppose you might be able to engineer a tilt-up mechanism, but I bet that you would end up leaving the lathe in position.While I advised that you could get along without a quick-change gearbox, I think it would be poor economy to omit the threading capability.  In addition to providing the capability to cut threads, it can perform power feed for the carriage which helps get a good finish compared to (my) manual feed.awright
Reply:There are many older lathes that are still in good condition that will probably work well for you.  Atlas / Sears made some nice smaller lathes that have a lot of capability and you can find them on ebay all the time as well as craigslist. Depending on space (and funds) a lot of guys look for the Southbend 9" and heavy 10" lathes for the garage shop.  For what you are needing to do you might be able to get by with a smaller Hardinge second operation lathe, the nice thing about those is they are very precise if you have a need for tight tolerances. I don't have very much experience with the "mini" lathes though I know a lot of them get sold.  The best advice falls in line with picking a welder, try and buy the biggest you can afford and handle.  The extra capacity, swing, features etc won't go to waste and you'll have something to grow into.  The older lathes show up on machinery brokerage sites all the time and though they might post a fairly high price I've found that you can call them and get a much better deal. Just got to keep looking and you'll come across the right one.Michael
Reply:The 9x does have power feed.  I does not feed in reverse (away from the chuck).   My lathe is on a rolling cart.  Unlike a wood lathe the forces are self contained on the metal lathe unless you turn of center stuff.    It does stay in on position mostly, however.  The rolling cart  makes it convient to move the lathe to clean behind it and  work on.  200 awkward pounds.  Hence,  you'll need a lift.I got one lathe off www.craigslist.org and one off www.posteroo.com.  If you go new then check out Grizzly. For the money they give many accessories. I would check out any old lathes prior to purchasing.  Take a dial indicator and check the movement of the carriage in relation to the chuck.  A machinist told me 80 percent of the wear to the ways occurs close to the chuck.
Reply:If you are interested in affordable equipment for most home shop owners the best bet is the chinese equipment. I have bought a number of items from Grizzly (Grizzly.com) and have been very pleased not only with the equipment they carry but their pricing and service as well.A couple of months ago I bought a 10"x22" lathe from them and for the money I love it. A comparable unit made in the USA would be 3 to 4 times the cost.The problem with the chinese machines is that they cut corners on assembly. You may need to make a few improvements here and there.My lathe was fine right out of the box as they say.My Northern Tools Band saw was another story and required lots of modifications to get it to work as it should. However they are affordable and I'm very happy with both of them.Washman
Reply:I have an Enco 13" X 40" and a Harbor Freight Mill Drill. Check Enco out for smaller lathes. They have some fairly economical 9" Bench lathes. Make certain that whatever you buy has gears and not belts to change speeds. Someof the older ones are belt change and they can be a PITA. A 13" might be too much weight for you. Mine weighs 1,350 pounds!Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Like just about everything, it's all about trade-offs.  The small lathes are usually capable of fine work within their limits, the bigger machines have bigger limits.And turning a 5" OD piece is -NOT- a little piece.  As mentioned above, with a little lathe you might be able to chuck it (with an upsized replacement chuck) and face the end or work a little bit near the end but you won't be able to get the cross-slide under that size OD workpiece.  To get a 5" swing over the cross-slide, you are up to the 9x class lathes or bigger (Grizzly 9x19 G4000, ~300 pounds not including the stand/bench for the lathe to sit on).The HF or LatheMaster 8x12/14 lathe (same general lathe, different paint, one says 8x12 the other says 8x14) are supposed to be quite decent.  The swing over the cross-slide is 4.75". About 200-225 pounds of metal, again stand/bench not included.  And the 8x lathes are beefier than the 9x-class Chinese lathes.  Stiff and beefy is good in machine tools.Or just go right up to the used full-sized older American lathes.  Or the bigger Chinese lathes.Your choice.
Reply:12 X 36 is abouut the smallest lathe I would recommend. atlas/chraftsman, rockwell, clausing as well as a few others made a this size lathe. you want a Quick change gearbox as a minimum. you mentioned you didn't need threading but that threading gearbox also changes the feeds. also what part of the country are you in makes a big difference as to what you might be able to find. used. 5 inch diameter of anything on this size of lathe is pushing it. I tried to upload photo's but they were too big. My web site has pictures of my machines. http://jeep534.smugmug.comHappyhuntingarchie =) =) =)Lincoln AC-225Lincoln sp100 mig (with gas)Linde UCC305 TIGVarious torches Plus Lathe & Mill
Reply:I also agree with the recommendations to go with a good 12" lathe.  In my shop I have a 16" southbend, 22" clausing, and my little 12" sears (Atlas).  I still use my little sears quite a bit for jobs and almost always use it for my rifle building hobby, or addiction as some would say, and I can almost always chamber a rifle barrel with it to run less than .001" runout.  However there are a few things I will recommend.  First off a lathe is not a tool to be rolled around a shop and drug out for when you need it.  I am not talking down to any of you guys who do that, so hear me out.  A lathe needs to be setup in one place and left.  Its needs to be perfectly level, and done with a machinist level that will read to .0005" (not a regular carpenters level) in order for the machine to run true, and trust me I don;t care how heavy a bed it has it will flex a few thousandths in any direction.  If you are just looking to play around that's fine, but if you really want to learn to run a lathe and do accurate work you need to set it up right before anything else.  A quick change gear box is very convenient, as well as keep in mind the lathe is only part of the expense.  You can easily wind up with more money in tooling than you paid for the lathe itself.  Good luck in finding a machine that suits you.  ~JacksonLast edited by Hammack_Welding; 04-27-2007 at 04:44 PM.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Dont matter what it is..If it works Holds Tolerances..They are all worth owning.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.