| Author | Message | ||
     Spiderman  |
Where can I buy a reasonably priced one at? A small bench style maybe even a Multipurpose job. Oh yeah Bigger than hobby size. | ||
| Fullpower  |
i have a cheapo ENCO in my shop for turning armatures, been working out on it for 7 years now, no problems. think it cost around a grand US. it is a 9" x 20" bed. couple horsepower, i expected the chinese motor to fail right away, but it is still working fine.ENCO (312)745-1500 ask them for a catalog. | ||
| Gearhead |
Spiderman, Check out this site http://www.grizzly.com I'm a high school shop teacher and we've purchased quite a few pieces of equipment from these folks but no metal lathes. We've been pleased with what we have from them and if it can hold up to 150 - 175 kids per day I don't think you're going to hurt it too bad! | ||
| Spiderman |
Gearhead, Perfect!!! That is exactly what I was lookin for THANKS!!! | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
I have a Shoptask El Dorado... it's great! The only problem I have is capacity sometimes, but that's simply part of the compromise w/ a multipurpose... www.shoptask.com | ||
| Rocklane  |
you might want to look at this web site too. Rock http://www.smithy.com/MWdefault.htm | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
I did a lot of research and comparison between Smithy and Shoptask. They are prime adversaries in thir market. I think the finish on the Smithy is a bit nicer, but the Shoptask is a bit more functional, with the CNC-ready mounts and heavier-built components. My research is a bit dated, since I have had my machine a few years, and both companies have made a lot of improvements since I was looking. A few important qualities you need to pay attention to: -Work Capacity -Will you be cutting threads? -It is not hard to spend several hundred to several thousand dollars on tooling to use in the machine after you buy it! -The tapers (mill spindle and lathe headstock) in the machine should be R8, not a Morse Taper. This dictates tooling availability and price. -Horizontal (y-axis) Powerfeed- it can be a pain to face a part with a decent finish without a y-feed. X-axis (left to right) is standard on most machines, but Y-axis (forward/backward) isn't. Don't leave out the possibility of getting a separate lathe and mill. The $$ savings may not be worth the added flexibility. | ||
| Hoser  |
Spidey : Good suggestions posted so-far , here's a few more things to consider.............................. Be carefull when chosing your machine(s) , I used to have a 3in1 , it was similar to many other machines . Many of these use the same castings , likely made at the same foundry in China . I was happy with the machine , as a small lathe it is accurate , mostly I was happy with it and kinda miss having it around , I did some cool stuff with it. The down side of running a 3in1 type machine is ... low on horsepower , having to change belts constantly to change speeds , lack of rigidity as both a lathe and a mill. A cool little machine in it's own way , I discovered it's limitation's and moved on to a separate lathe and Mill arrangement. For a while I had all three machines running , which was kinda handy. Here's a pic of that 3in1.........  Ya thats a cylinder head on a faceplate | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
Hoser is right- they all pretty much suffer from lack of power (either motor or drivetrain shortcomings) and lack of rigidity. I think Shoptask has gone in the best direction towards solving both of these problems. My machine is a few years old and does not have the head braces like the newest bridgemills, but the horsepower/variable speed problem is being solved with a few DC motors from American Science/Surplus and a speed controller.... <grin> | ||
| Vr1203  |
Hi, You might consider a vintage South Bend lathe. There are many websites supporting South Bend Lathes.  | ||
| Blackbelt  |
DANG VR that thing is a beast of a bench lathe.. I LIKE IT! how much do they run typically? | ||
| Bomber  |
I've got a DALTON, built in 1914 or there abouts -- you can find bargains on ebay, or machine shops going out of business, or at schools that are closing their shop programs ----  | ||
| Dsergison  |
what's a little floor space? go large! this Nardini was $3k used. before that I had a harbor freight type 9x20. NO COMPARISON.  | ||
| Bluzm2  |
I have an old Atlas 10" I'm in the process of rebuilding. I need to find a 3 jaw chuck, I keep getting outbid on Ebay! I need more tooling also. Just need to make time to hunt the stuff down. I would love to find a set of original legs for the bugger. It would make mounting the motor much easier. Brad | ||
| Vr1203 |
Blackbelt, I paid $1000 this summer, with more tooling/books/calipers than I have patience to type! It was a high price but so nice ,no wear, etc that I fell in love with it. It came from the Rock Island Ill. Arsenal, But was not sold off to a high school after the war. So it was not abused . Cuts .0005" taper in 8", pretty good for the ole girl! |
