Thread: Hobby Metal lathe

Hi All,
I'm new in here and need some advice (maybe plenty of it) regarding a metal lathe. I will be using it to construct small parts for model planes/trains/trucks etc. I am so confused with what's out there. I would possibly need say maybe 300mm between centers.

Any help and ideas in the matter would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks and best to all
bosco

Welcome Bosco,
You are more than likely to find someone here with similar interests to your own.I can't advise on much save to say that your machine if new should come from a dealer with a good reputation,spare parts back up and a good warranty.

Be prepared to spend a good deal extra on the tooling as everything you will need to get started won't necessarily be provided with your new machine.

Grahame

Can we have a little more information please?
Things like -

• Will you want to cut threads
• What materials are you intending to use (Steel/ brass/ plastic/ stainless/ aluminium/ etc)
• What sort of maximum diameter that most of your parts would fit into
• Is this for occasional use or do you think that it will be in use at least weekly
• When you talk of parts for models are you making working models or static models
• Do you want to make parts from scratch or are you mainly intending to modify existing parts (for example, shorten bolts or polish shafts)

Don't worry if you can't answer all these questions. A good guess is fine. It's just that as you have noticed there is a variety out there and it's the features available that sort then apart. The Sieg range is usually considered reasonable but you may find if you want to cut threads for example you have to go to a larger machine than you anticipate because the smaller lathes are not set up for that.

I have a theory that says every lathe owner will own at least one lathe; one to learn what they really want and subsequent lathes to try and get it, so don't be surprised if you answer some of these questions one way and then find later on that you are not using it that way.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

Can we have a little more information please?
Things like -

• Will you want to cut threads - Not at this stage
• What materials are you intending to use (Steel/ brass/ plastic/ stainless/ aluminium/ etc) - Aluminium, plastic, brass, soft materials
• What sort of maximum diameter that most of your parts would fit into - Small parts usually say up to 35/40mm max
• Is this for occasional use or do you think that it will be in use at least weekly - Occasional use, but might be used often if the need arises, you know how things go, hey?
• When you talk of parts for models are you making working models or static models - Static models, I create/turn parts and then resin cast them
• Do you want to make parts from scratch or are you mainly intending to modify existing parts (for example, shorten bolts or polish shafts) - Most of the time will make parts from scratch

Don't worry if you can't answer all these questions. A good guess is fine. It's just that as you have noticed there is a variety out there and it's the features available that sort then apart. The Sieg range is usually considered reasonable but you may find if you want to cut threads for example you have to go to a larger machine than you anticipate because the smaller lathes are not set up for that.

I have a theory that says every lathe owner will own at least one lathe; one to learn what they really want and subsequent lathes to try and get it, so don't be surprised if you answer some of these questions one way and then find later on that you are not using it that way.

Michael

Hi All again and thanks for the replies..I guess I can go with a second hand lathe as well..and yes I know one needs to spend a few dollars on ancillaries...yep!!!

i WOULD GO FOR A hERCUS 260

Lots of replacement parts around and they are a excellent machine .... Mike

I would look for a good secondhand lathe with at least a 38mm spindle bore, nothing worse than having to keep cutting stock because you only have a 20mm spindle bore. The larger spindle bore will also have an MT4 or MT5 taper as well.

Hi All,
Sorry to be a pest, I'm in Perth..where can I source one of these Hercus lathes?
thanks

Hi Bosco,

Quite a lot of Hercus machines were sold to the high school system and some tech colleges.'

Some schools may still have them it is may be worthwhile checking to see if your local schools have one and are intending to dispose of it.

Grahame

Originally Posted by Auskart

I would look for a good secondhand lathe with at least a 38mm spindle bore, nothing worse than having to keep cutting stock because you only have a 20mm spindle bore. The larger spindle bore will also have an MT4 or MT5 taper as well.

I think this is a bit over the top for someone who wants to "construct small parts for model planes/trains/trucks"

RE: Sourcing a 260.
They are all second hand at this stage.gumtree.
eg
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/banjup/other-tools-diy/lathe-hercus/1041055704

PM me if you want to come and see a Hercus and discuss what it can and cannot do - Mines not a 260 but it will still be similar.

Originally Posted by BobL

I think this is a bit over the top for someone who wants to "construct small parts for model planes/trains/trucks"

Hi Bob, he was wanting to do parts up to 35mm to 40mm, how many of us have bought a smaller lathe and then wished we had got a bigger one?

I know I did, the 19mm spindle bore of a Model A was just to small.

His choice anyway.

If you do decide on a hercus, put a wanted add on gumtree. As I have just found out you never know what may turn up.

I would also take Bob up on his offer. Have a look, note the quality and feel. Then go and have a look at a seig or other Chinese machine, the differences in quality are huge.

Cheers,
Ew

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking that 30mm would be a bit too large for what I intend to do...mostly dealing with stuff in 1/48th 1/35th 1/32nd scales. If I think about it, 30mm is the size of a sideshaft on my jeep just about...
Was thinking something like this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12-x7-300...-/390791372090

What do you guys think?
thanks again

Originally Posted by Ueee

If you do decide on a hercus, put a wanted add on gumtree. As I have just found out you never know what may turn up.

I would also take Bob up on his offer. Have a look, note the quality and feel. Then go and have a look at a seig or other Chinese machine, the differences in quality are huge.

Cheers,
Ew

I'd rather have a Chinese lathe with a decent spindle bore. RC & I have both owned Hercus lathes. I don't any more and I'm pretty sure he sold his too.

Questions come down to, how deep are your pockets and how long are you prepared to wait before getting a machine? Good quality used machines come along reasonably frequently but you have to be prepared to move fast.

PDW

Hi PDW...I cannot justify spending thousands, not for what I want to do...I have spent big $$$ on a woodfast wood lathe, and nearly got served divorce papers...for static models, you know...chinese would be OK...unfortunately in Perth (to my knowledge), there isn't much of a variety/showrooms where one could go and drool or test and see what could be good for one's purposes...bugga!!

Originally Posted by PDW

I'd rather have a Chinese lathe with a decent spindle bore. RC & I have both owned Hercus lathes. I don't any more and I'm pretty sure he sold his too.

Questions come down to, how deep are your pockets and how long are you prepared to wait before getting a machine? Good quality used machines come along reasonably frequently but you have to be prepared to move fast.

PDW

So would i, for sure. But I don't think that's what bosco wants. I looked at at hercus locally for someone else, I was amazed at just how small they actually are. My mars is considerably heavier and I think of it as floppy these days. But then the ability to take 3mm doc's with carbide aren't what everyone needs or wants.

Ew