Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 23
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    15

    Default looking for advice on first lathe purchase

    I am looking to buy my first lathe for my garage. I'd like to keep the cost to around US $1,000. I am perfectly happy buying an old one that may need a little work, but I don't know what the most important features are, or what usually comes standard. If I bought an old one, I would probably do a series of videos of the restoration, which for me is a plus. What kind of mechanical issues are fixable, or not fixable? Hopefully I can get some ideas that are on things to look for, things to avoid, etc...

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    This is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question. The degree of restoration possible depends on what you buy, your skills, access to machining equipment, local access to machining gurus etc. Obscure makers are less likely to have fewer or no parts available. Once you identify a lathe see if you can find a drawings or photos of the same lathe so you can compare these to the lathe to identify missing bits etc
    Some of the other usual (obvious) things to watch out for
    Make sure all the bits that should move actually move, preferably smoothly.
    Put centres in the head and tail stock and push the tail stock up to the head and see how well the centres align - it may even pay you to buy a set of centres for yourself and use them when you go to check out used lathes.
    Check the lathe bed, gears and chucks for wear, chips etc
    If possible run the lathe at all available speeds and listen to the headstock for odd noises and vibrations
    Run the lathe saddle up and down under power and make sure it moves smoothly.
    Carefully check out the amount and quality of the accessories, tooling, extras that comes with the lathe, as this can sometimes make or break the deal.

    As for a restoration video - (unless its an unusual moving complex part - most people would know how a lathe moves) I MUCH prefer a series of clear photos accompanied by brief explanatory text that I can study in detail at my leisure, magnify up if needed etc. If you want to see really good photos look at what Anorak Bob produces.
    eg https://metalworkforums.com/f189/t20...is-table-stops
    Most videos are way too long and I'm sick of constantly having to stop and replay videos to try and catch bits of interest, and as my hearing is poor trying to understand what the often hopeless narrator is saying.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vic
    Age
    48
    Posts
    544

    Default

    I am not too sure if you have seen this link?


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    From your country of origin I would suggest that you look at one of the many used Southbend lathes available, they come in many swing and bed sizes, and from what I have seen prices are quite reasonable for what you get and availability of parts does not appear to be a usual problem.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    This is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question. The degree of restoration possible depends on what you buy, your skills, access to machining equipment, local access to machining gurus etc. Obscure makers are less likely to have fewer or no parts available. Once you identify a lathe see if you can find a drawings or photos of the same lathe so you can compare these to the lathe to identify missing bits etc
    Some of the other usual (obvious) things to watch out for
    Make sure all the bits that should move actually move, preferably smoothly.
    Put centres in the head and tail stock and push the tail stock up to the head and see how well the centres align - it may even pay you to buy a set of centres for yourself and use them when you go to check out used lathes.
    Check the lathe bed, gears and chucks for wear, chips etc
    If possible run the lathe at all available speeds and listen to the headstock for odd noises and vibrations
    Run the lathe saddle up and down under power and make sure it moves smoothly.
    Carefully check out the amount and quality of the accessories, tooling, extras that comes with the lathe, as this can sometimes make or break the deal.

    As for a restoration video - (unless its an unusual moving complex part - most people would know how a lathe moves) I MUCH prefer a series of clear photos accompanied by brief explanatory text that I can study in detail at my leisure, magnify up if needed etc. If you want to see really good photos look at what Anorak Bob produces.
    eg https://metalworkforums.com/f189/t20...is-table-stops
    Most videos are way too long and I'm sick of constantly having to stop and replay videos to try and catch bits of interest, and as my hearing is poor trying to understand what the often hopeless narrator is saying.
    Great advice. I think I will come back when I have specific issues after I find one.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jackaroo View Post
    I am not too sure if you have seen this link?

    Funny you post that video. I have been looking on Craigs list for over a year for a reasonably priced lathe that doesn't look like it came from before electricity was discovered. I have never had the luck that guy has had. All I can ever find is some beat up piece of crap that's missing large pieces like the tail stock or the motor or something else completely unusable. I even saw one that was all of the pieces except the lathe bed. What use is all of that junk? I just want something that will fit in a standard 2 car garage (without the cars) with the rest of my gear. Anyway, the hunt continues.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Cairns, Q
    Posts
    666

    Default

    There is some comprehensive advice on buying a lathe (or mill) here:

    Lathe Milling machine shaper collet parts

    Frank.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Frank, that was a very useful link. Especially the part about klunkers. Now I just need to find one...

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    australia
    Posts
    57

    Default

    Maybe you should joint the following site, -- The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS ---- ask question over at that forum as it's in your backyard and persons on that forum, would know where something is hiding, more so than on an Aussie forum/site.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Thanks for the tip. I'll try that site. I've found that a lot of places are snobby and don't share information with new hobbyists. Very much like, don't bother asking us questions as we have already answered everything you could possibly think up. Just go search our old posts and don't bother us with your novice problems. You are nice people, and friendly, so that's why I would rather spend time here.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Weekend.Warrior View Post
    Thanks for the tip. I'll try that site. I've found that a lot of places are snobby and don't share information with new hobbyists. Very much like, don't bother asking us questions as we have already answered everything you could possibly think up. Just go search our old posts and don't bother us with your novice problems. You are nice people, and friendly, so that's why I would rather spend time here.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
    That site is a good one, been a member for probably 20 years.
    There is also Metalworkingfun, there US based and tell ED I sent you as I helped him out with the forum in the beginning, the guys will look after you.
    Using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Slightly left of Vernon, BC Canada
    Age
    61
    Posts
    75

    Default

    When I was looking for my first lathe, I did a fair bit of research to see what size I wanted, features etc. so when I found something I kind of knew if it was a good deal.

    After searching the classifieds for months and not finding anything, I decided to be proactive and started calling around all of the machine shops within 100km of me to see if they had an old machine sitting in the back corner that wasn't being used. This is how I found 2 of my lathes. I met some nice shop owners and was given some great raw material and tooling with the purchases.

    Good luck!

    Cheers

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Picnic Point, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    312

    Default The bigger the better

    I'd look for the biggest machine that fits your workshop. With the smaller hobby type or bench lathes you're limited with the size of work it can handle. A decent size hollow spindle is what I look for too.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Australia east coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Snapey View Post
    I'd look for the biggest machine that fits your workshop. With the smaller hobby type or bench lathes you're limited with the size of work it can handle. A decent size hollow spindle is what I look for too.
    Agree. You really can't have too big a hollow spindle. Though my take on it is, if you have the space & money, it's better to have 2 machines, a smaller high precision one with a high spindle speed for those smaller jobs, and the bigger lathe for the rest. 80-90% of my work gets done on my Colchester Chipmaster but the other 20% wouldn't fit. OTOH the big Monarch is a lot heavier to use and doesn't have the high spindle speeds for collet work on small diameter stock.

    Home - Practical Machinist : Practical Machinist is a good site but can be very unforgiving is you don't READ AND FOLLOW the stickies about what is and isn't permissable to talk about. No hobby grade machine tools for example which is basically all the small Chinese ones and a number of US made ones (Atlas for example). There are a number of people from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona who post there and would be good contacts for tool leads if approached the right way. Any trace of attitude though and you'll be history......

    PDW

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Agree with getting the biggest spindle bore you can find/afford. It seems lathe size increases in proportion to the spindle bore. It would be nice if they made a hobby sized lathe with a 50mm spindle bore. Although rigidity might be an issue with larger stock. Two lathes would be great, but sadly not an option for those of us with a suburban garage workshop.
    Chris

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. New lathe purchase
    By Glot in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 9th Apr 2019, 04:35 PM
  2. Help & Advice with a newDrill press purchase choice
    By jedimindtime in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 30th Oct 2018, 08:20 PM
  3. Any advice where to purchase a good vintage metal lathe?
    By bpbuilder in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 7th Apr 2016, 09:26 AM
  4. Welder purchase advice for a sort of beginner
    By bishboy in forum WELDING
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 22nd Nov 2013, 06:50 PM
  5. welder purchase-advice required
    By danielhobby in forum WELDING
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 22nd Jul 2011, 09:41 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •