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  1. #1
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    Default I have an idea, tell me if im nuts!

    hey guys ive found my self back at it again looking for another metal lathe to make wheel spacers for a motorcycle, the pic was my last conversion and the bike is hes now and i have a new bike to put road bike wheels on, now im on a limited budget or im just being a tight ass either one lol im looking at modifying one of these metal lathes CNC Metal Motorized Mini Lathe Machine | eBay it says it can machine up to 20mm diameter steel/aluminium but i think there over exaggerating now i have thought about it and do u guys think i could disconnect the electric motor and use a electric drill to connect to the chucks shaft hanging out the back of the unit? than i could just cable tie my drill at full speed and use a 240v hydroponic fan speed controller to adjust my speed do u guys think its doable?

    i need to machine aluminium wheel spacers biggest being 25.4mm diameter and 29mm wide (width wont be a problem) with a bore size 17.1mm
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  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by gazza2009au View Post
    hey guys ive found my self back at it again looking for another metal lathe to make wheel spacers for a motorcycle, the pic was my last conversion and the bike is hes now and i have a new bike to put road bike wheels on, now im on a limited budget or im just being a tight ass either one lol im looking at modifying one of these metal lathes CNC Metal Motorized Mini Lathe Machine | eBay it says it can machine up to 20mm diameter steel/aluminium but i think there over exaggerating now i have thought about it and do u guys think i could disconnect the electric motor and use a electric drill to connect to the chucks shaft hanging out the back of the unit? than i could just cable tie my drill at full speed and use a 240v hydroponic fan speed controller to adjust my speed do u guys think its doable?
    I think it would struggle to machine an imaginary 20mm bar made of pure air..
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  3. #3
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    yeah mate thats why i thought i'd use a power drill to connect to the chucks shaft, the drill will power the chuck so there should be plenty of torque from the drill powered chuck

    hence me saying they over exaggerated the 20mm cutting material i doubt the little 70-150watt motors would cope

  4. #4
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    Takes more then just HP to make a machine.... it weighs just 3kg... it is too light to be much use for anything but wristwatch parts..
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  5. #5
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    Presumably you will want to bore a hole in your spacer. With only 135mm between centers, you will be very restricted in the drill bit that you could fit in there, if you can even mount a drill chuck.
    Even if you do up the power by using your drill you will probably find a weakness elsewhere. At best those are only a model making lathe.
    I think you will be very disappointed if you buy that machine.
    Perhaps one of the small Sieg lathes would suit you better. You will be spending $800 odd dollars though.

  6. #6
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    Karl, yeah thats the issue im running into, a wheel set for my bike is $720 from NZ so trying to look for a cheaper alternative, i could buy a second hand lathe i just have no shed space to store it so it will be stored outside

  7. #7
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    Your nuts! Seriously though, I'm a big fam of getting the most of a machine and even getting more out of a machine than it was ever intended but TBH, at 3Kg, I can't see that thing doing what the seller claims, let alone what you want to do. I can understand that you are on a budget, I know that feeling but even the cheapest, oldest, clapped out, worn S/H machine would do a better job than the one you linked to, AND more. I would keep looking and buy a S/H lathe. Cheers, Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by gazza2009au View Post
    Karl, yeah thats the issue im running into, a wheel set for my bike is $720 from NZ so trying to look for a cheaper alternative, i could buy a second hand lathe i just have no shed space to store it so it will be stored outside
    What do your proposed wheel spacers look like? Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  9. #9
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    i just found a impressive video of one of these 6 in 1 lathes machining aluminium rod check out the video scroll forward to exactly 1 hour
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyvfiMfWEkc



    hey simon the wheel spaces vary and 8 will need to be made, its far to costly to have a machine shop make them

  10. #10
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    i just found a impressive video of one of these 6 in 1 lathes machining aluminium rod check out the video scroll forward to exactly 1 hour
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyvfiMfWEkc
    I'm not sure if "impressive" is quite the word I'd use. Memorable? Definitely.

    If you provide the material and a precise drawing of what you want made, if it's a simple turning and boring job I'm happy to make them for you.

    Anything to stop anyone buying one of those "lathes".

    Ever.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pete F View Post
    I'm not sure if "impressive" is quite the word I'd use. Memorable? Definitely.

    If you provide the material and a precise drawing of what you want made, if it's a simple turning and boring job I'm happy to make them for you.

    Anything to stop anyone buying one of those "lathes".

    Ever.
    thanks pete much appreciated for the offer

    their is some generous people on this forum

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by gazza2009au View Post
    i just found a impressive video of one of these 6 in 1 lathes machining aluminium rod check out the video scroll forward to exactly 1 hour
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyvfiMfWEkc
    ............
    I would have absolutely loved one of those at age 10. Seriously. The most sophisticated tool I had back then was a hand drill, the ones with a handle to turn on the side. That was 50 years ago....



    You can have a very similar machine but with better specifications, made in Austria. It is called "Unimat". Not the Emco Unimat, this is another Unimat. "Unimat Metal Line 6in1". If you look and compare, it is very similar to the China made item above. Unfortunately it costs a little bit more:
    Unimat Metal Line 6 IN 1 Precision Desktop Portable Machine THE Cooltool | eBay

    Here the YouTube link to videos showing the Unimat Metal Line in action:
    TheCoolTool01 - YouTube


    Then the Unimat ML
    THE Cool Tool Unimat Metal Line 6 IN 1 Benchtop Tool Lathe Drill MILL | eBay

    Also available with CNC
    THE Cool Tool 160200CNC Unimat CNC 3D Upgrade SET | eBay

    They also make a basic model with more plastic, called the "Unimat1 classic 6in1":
    Unimat 1 Classic 6 IN 1 Benchtop Tool Lathe | eBay


    This is the link to the manfacturer's site. You will be surprised. I am surprised. I did not think there is such a vast range of different models and options for this sort of machine. I am not sure anymore if this is a toy, or a teaching tool, or serious competition for small model making lathes like Sherline.
    http://www.thecooltool.com/en/products/
    Do not miss having a look at the CNC videos.

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