Anyone have this mini-lathe??

[PapsD]

The new ones are through the roof. Look @ used old machines.

If I had a sweet lathe like that I'd sit in my garage and drink homebrew and turn parts to make a living.

The best manual machines were made before the 1950's. The stuff made before WW2 is even better.

 

[Golddiggie]

The new ones are through the roof. Look @ used old machines.

If I had a sweet lathe like that I'd sit in my garage and drink homebrew and turn parts to make

The best manual machines were made before the 1950's. The stuff made before WW2 is even better.

Bubba, I've BEEN looking at local sources for this size lathe. Guess what, NONE available at anywhere near a price that makes sense. I have a very limited budget for this first one. As long as I get at least a solid year of use out of it, I'll be good. I've already been talking with another HBT member about this. Chances are, I can get metal replacement gears (for the plastic ones in it) from either McMaster-Carr, Grainger, or MSC. That's pretty much the only parts that could wear on me, prematurely.

My budget is being stretched at the delivered cost of the Grizzley. With no prices even listed for the ones you're talking about (new) the used prices will be far outside of my budget. I'm not about to go digging through tons of site to try and find one. I also won't buy an used tool/machine without being able to see it first. Especially with the costs of shipping involved.

 

[Blademaker]

I have one of those from HF.


I've use it mainly on 410 s/steel and 14 kt gold for thumb studs on some of my folding knives. 304 stainless can be "work hardening" and tough as hell, so light cuts are the way to go.

Various cutting tools can be found here:

http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm

Good luck

 

[TowsonTiger22]

I want a mill with dro, lathe, and standing drill press in my basement. Looking at grizzly, or hoping to find it all from a shop going outta business.

 

[Golddiggie]

I have one of those from HF.


I've use it mainly on 410 s/steel and 14 kt gold for thumb studs on some of my folding knives. 304 stainless can be "work hardening" and tough as hell, so light cuts are the way to go.

Various cutting tools can be found here:

http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm

Good luck

I found that out when I drilled my first piece of 304 stainless. Tried to jump too many steps and it glowed nice and then done. Destroyed two bits trying to finish the hole (had them already). I then picked up a new set of bits (29 set up to 1/2" in 1/64 increments) that will be used for the next try. I'm still holding off on drilling the second piece, since I don't want to bugger that one too.

I plan on getting some good tooling for the lathe, including a cutoff tool to use on some more stainless tubing/pipe. I can see using it for a good number of things that I'm otherwise unable to do now.

I want a mill with dro, lathe, and standing drill press in my basement. Looking at grizzly, or hoping to find it all from a shop going outta business.

If you find a place that's getting rid of a lathe that's under ~100#, let me know. As long as I've not ordered/unpacked the Grizzly, I'd be very interested.

I did have one of the mill/drill/lathe's before. Even the small ones are a BEAST. Few hundred pounds so be sure to have a couple of friends help you out.

 

[Blademaker]

I found that out when I drilled my first piece of 304 stainless. Tried to jump too many steps and it glowed nice and then done. Destroyed two bits trying to finish the hole (had them already). I then picked up a new set of bits (29 set up to 1/2" in 1/64 increments) that will be used for the next try. I'm still holding off on drilling the second piece, since I don't want to bugger that one too.

I plan on getting some good tooling for the lathe, including a cutoff tool to use on some more stainless tubing/pipe. I can see using it for a good number of things that I'm otherwise unable to do now.



If you find a place that's getting rid of a lathe that's under ~100#, let me know. As long as I've not ordered/unpacked the Grizzly, I'd be very interested.

I did have one of the mill/drill/lathe's before. Even the small ones are a BEAST. Few hundred pounds so be sure to have a couple of friends help you out.

I suggest some kind of lube or cutting oil and a slow speed when working any 300 series stainless steel.
Also carbide bits are pricey, but worth it.

 

[Golddiggie]

I suggest some kind of lube or cutting oil and a slow speed when working any 300 series stainless steel.
Also carbide bits are pricey, but worth it.

Drill was going as slow as possible (300rpm) and I was using coolant. I tried to jump too much between holes. Had I gone in smaller steps it probably would have been fine. I've drilled more than a few pieces of stainless when I was also making knives (ATS-34 mostly, back in the 90's).

I picked up a set of cobalt bits since I've had great luck with those. The bits I got over a decade ago are just now needing replacing.

I plan on using the lathe at even lower speeds than the drill. I might start the holes on the drill press, but stop before I hit 1/4". Then step up the holes from there on the lathe.

 

[Blademaker]

ATS is my go to stainless when I'm not using my damascus.

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

Try Enco if you are on a budget. My throw away tools are from HF. I would never buy anything from HF that I would use to try to make a living...meh, maybe shoprags. I will not carry on about their pneumatic tools.

I have purchased many tools from Enco. Much of the items are from factories overseas. I would say that the quality is much better than HF.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=501&PARTPG=INLMK3&PMITEM=110-0800

If you so buy HF, don't skimp on the warranty or insurance.

If you intend to cut stainless, find a tool distributor near you and cozy up to them. You don't want to burn through tools and harden your workpiece. The correct tool for the job can last a long time.

 

[Golddiggie]

ATS is my go to stainless when I'm not using my damascus.

You suck...

I've been buying knives (folders) that use either AUS8 or VG10 (or at least VG10 cores). I have a couple of pieces of damascus still in bar form from way back. I might, at some future point, have the tools needed to make something from them. Until then, they sit and wait. They're just too damned nice to do a hack job on/with.

I think I have some O1 and maybe D2 stock still. I know I have a 1/4" thick piece of ATS-34 still (not sure how long, but decent length).

 

[Golddiggie]

Try Enco if you are on a budget. My throw away tools are from HF. I would never buy anything from HF that I would use to try to make a living...meh, maybe shoprags. I will not carry on about their pneumatic tools.

I have purchased many tools from Enco. Much of the items are from factories overseas. I would say that the quality is much better than HF.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=501&PARTPG=INLMK3&PMITEM=110-0800

If you so buy HF, don't skimp on the warranty or insurance.

If you intend to cut stainless, find a tool distributor near you and cozy up to them. You don't want to burn through tools and harden your workpiece. The correct tool for the job can last a long time.

I was looking at one of the lathe's they put up on ebray... Wanted to know the warranty on it... 30 frakin days... No way am I dropping over $500 on a piece of machinery with a frakin 30 day warranty on it. My P-C drill press has a 3 YEAR warranty on it.

99% chance I'll end up with the Grizzly lathe at this point. Unless I can find a solid [used] one before then. With what I've been seeing in the listings, that's probably not going to happen.

I'm already planning on getting carbide tooling for use with the lathe. Probably start off with two of each of the tools I think I'll use more. That way when one wears, I have a spare already. Or I'll just get the ones that use the replaceable inserts. Have a full set of spare inserts on hand for when I need to change them (doubt I'll ever go through them all before being able to order more up).

I am looking at threading a piece of 1/2" pipe both inside at one end (I can use my tap for that) and on the outside at the other. This is so I can get a fake suppressor and use it as a tap handle. :rockin: Just need 3/8"-16 inside it and 1/2"-28 on the outside (opposite ends).

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

If you don't intend to use it for generating income, go with the most affordable. I'm sure you understand that a 30 day warranty is somewhat justifiable if the product quality is good. There are plenty of customers that purchase machinery with no real clue on how to use it. KEEERASHHHHH!!!! Personally, one year warranty is the least I would expect. I agree with you on the ENCO brand. I didn't get that far in reading.

FWIW--A good friend of mine (hobbyist) purchased the HF lathe and was happy with it. He only cuts AL and low carbon steel on it.

Have fun with it! My best times in the shop are when I'm making something for my brewing equipment/accessories. Brings back the joy of cutting metal.

 

[Golddiggie]

If you don't intend to use it for generating income, go with the most affordable. I'm sure you understand that a 30 day warranty is somewhat justifiable if the product quality is good. There are plenty of customers that purchase machinery with no real clue on how to use it. KEEERASHHHHH!!!! Personally, one year warranty is the least I would expect. I agree with you on the ENCO brand. I didn't get that far in reading.

FWIW--A good friend of mine (hobbyist) purchased the HF lathe and was happy with it. He only cuts AL and low carbon steel on it.

Have fun with it! My best times in the shop are when I'm making something for my brewing equipment/accessories. Brings back the joy of cutting metal.

I've done a good amount of metal working so far. I know enough to not bugger the machine. IMO, if they can't stand behind the machine for at least a full year, I don't want it. I plan on putting it to good use (correctly used). I plan on mounting it to a tool stand, so it won't fall over on it's own (or get pushed over).

With working with stainless, I want to be sure it's going to hold up. The Grizzly lathe has a 3/4hp (560W) motor in it. I've been dismissing those with 400w motors in them.

I figure that once I get my prototype made, as well as a few more for testing, I'll be able to see how well this will do (the item). IF I can sell it (and make money at it) then I'll upgrade the machinery as it makes sense. Otherwise, I'll just do it on the small scale and more for myself. At least I won't be out thousands of dollars from getting far more machinery than I'll need. I might even farm some of the machine work to a shop in the area, until I can get the tooling at home. Especially if they can make me items for less than I can buy them for.

 

[Gixxer]

Hey guys thanks for the reminder that I need to get off my lazy butt and finish a small skinner I am almost done with. CPM 154, hand rubbed to 800, natural canvas micarta scales. Did my own HT too.

Anyhoo... Back on track get the tools with the inserts. Way easier than having to stop and remove a tool bit to sharpen on the belt grinder (if you got one if those).

 

[Golddiggie]

Hey guys thanks for the reminder that I need to get off my lazy butt and finish a small skinner I am almost done with. CPM 154, hand rubbed to 800, natural canvas micarta scales. Did my own HT too.

Anyhoo... Back on track get the tools with the inserts. Way easier than having to stop and remove a tool bit to sharpen on the belt grinder (if you got one if those).

No belt grinder anymore. Had one for a while and might get one again, but not right now.

I know Grizzly has two different sets of those, that will work with the 7x12 lathe. Not sure which I'll go with yet.