Thread: Mini Lathe

I am in the market for a mini metal lathe for hobby work. Would anyone be able to give me some advice as to what make of machine I should be looking at and possible suppier. I am looking at the sherline and i am thinking of buying direct from the US. I am told that this machine will work anywhere in the world regardless of power supply. Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks for any help.
Cheers Elderly.

Hi Elderly,
What sort of work will you be doing with the lathe?

Dave

Hi Dave,
I will be doing very small work mainly in brass and alluminium. I will be making small metal parts for the mainly wooden models i make.
Cheers Elderly

I'm a bit elderly myself.

There are a number of micro and mini lathes for sale on eBay at less than $1000. I have provided links for only two, there are more.

MICRO METAL LATHE (eBay item 260699011927 end time 04-Dec-10 13:01:02 AEDST) : Industrial

SIEG C3 - 14"x7" VARI-SPD MINI METAL LATHE AUTO-FEED (eBay item 350417320246 end time 27-Dec-10 13:40:35 AEDST) : Industrial.

Another option is a Hercus 9" or 260 if you are prepared to pay a little more.

Ken

Thans Ken I will check them out.
Cheers Elderly

That first link seems like a good deal to start out on, and they say they will post it.

Dave

Check out Titan Machinery, they have a couple of mini-lathes listed

The Taig is considered to be a competitor for the Sherline and at present Taig Australia have a really good deal on the base model sold as a kit for $329;

Taig Micro Lathe Package Kit [1019] - $329.00 : Taig Australia, Lathes, Milling Machines and Accessories

There is a link on that page to the assembly instructions - you would need to provide your own motor and of course tooling.

Taig Australia home page; Taig Australia, Lathes, Milling Machines and Accessories

Cheers,

Findlay.

When I first took up pistol shooting I said that is all I want....it will do me...it will do every thing I want...etc etc etc
Well.... if she knew what I now have she'd ....well... shoot me

in other words, you think you want a mini lathe lathe now...but when you get hooked you'd wish you had more......its like all mans stuff....like a shed...its ok to start with, but eventually you wish it was bigger...

My advice is ...think about what you want and then at least double or tripple it

(should have done that with the boat I was never allowed to replace when I sold it)

Eskimo,

How right you are. I started out with a shoe box sized Unimat 3 lathe/mill, now have a Hercus 9", albiet still under reconstruction. The little Unimat I still use, and cut my teeth on it.

You won't waste your dough on a micro lathe, it will serve you well and lead you gently into something a bit more substantial.

Struth, looks like the micro lathe has gone, too cheap.

Ken

Hi everyone and thanks for your advice. The micro lathe has gone, I bought it. I know what you are getting at about something bigger. That's allways the case but even if I wanted something bigger I have no space for it it will take me all my time to find room for the micro lathe.
Once again thanks for all your help.
Cheers Elderly.

Elderly,

Congratulations, please keep us informed of your ventures, with lots of pics. What brand of micro lathe was it?

Ken

Originally Posted by neksmerj

Elderly,

Congratulations, please keep us informed of your ventures, with lots of pics. What brand of micro lathe was it?

Ken

It looks like a C1

Shanghai SIEG Industrial. Co