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350xfire

350xfire

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
1,229
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Texas
So I just sold my toy lathes and I am ready for a bigger machine like a 12x36. I was wondering if Harbor Freight is the cheapest place to get one? I don't want all the bells and whistles (OK, so I do want all the bells and whistles just can't afford right now) so just looking for a basic machine to build on.
Thanks
 
12" is a popular home shop size, and there are literally thousands of used American & European machines for sale ... sometimes close to where you live. Even shipping one may not be a deal killer, as many are in the 1000#-1500# range.
 
precisionworks said:
12" is a popular home shop size, and there are literally thousands of used American & European machines for sale ... sometimes close to where you live. Even shipping one may not be a deal killer, as many are in the 1000#-1500# range.
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Thanks Barry for chiming in. I was telling 350xfire by email that he needs to be cautious with an used lathe, and that he can always show us/give us a link to one he might be considering, so that folks here (including you!) can give him some idea of the particular used lathe is a good buy or not.
 
Thanks guys... I would love to find a used bargain, however, I think I would rather have the peace of mind of something brand new that has it's original parts. Many of these machines that I have come accross are really old and for the most part may be abused. So I would not know whether they are any good or not.

I saw quite a few of 13x40 on Ebay for about $2000. I'm just not sure!

Oh and my main requirement is to have a lathe with quick change gears as I want to thread stuff the easy way.
 
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I think I would rather have the peace of mind of something brand new that has it's original parts
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A brand new HF lathe is often called a CRFK (Chinese Ready to Finish Kit) ... depending on the day of the week it was made, the condition of the drills, taps & reamers used to make it, etc., you can figure at least 20 hours of remanufacturing time ... if not double or triple that :nana:

If you look for "newer" used machines that came from either a home shop or a one person commercial shop, you'll sometimes find pristine lathes that are plug-n-play. My South Bend 10-K was one of those, fully tooled, no issues.

There are always the Craigslist machines that are priced 2X or 3X what they sell for everywhere else - it takes a while to get a feel for the market.
 
something brand new that has it's original parts
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Here's another thought that many on this forum will confirm ...

Chinese machine tool builders feel it mandatory to include a handful of machining chips and sand casting grit with every lathe (or mill). These "original parts" are often hidden away inside the gear case, where they have the effect of polishing & burnishing the gears and roller bearings.

If you'd rather not have stuff floating around inside the machine, plan on opening up all the assemblies & sweeping them clean with a magnet. On a lathe, this means the headstock, tailstock, apron, quick change gearbox, etc. While those are open, adjust the fits of sliding parts (like the gibs that control cross slide tension), make any new bronze feed nuts that are needed, and generally do what the factory would have done if they had some idea what they should have done :crackup:

I'm still adjusting & making parts for my lathe, and the two prior owners already went through most every issue. Cheaper is always better :thumbsup:
 
Thanks again... Another question

Which tools do you guys feel are necessary for threading properly? Lets keep in mind budget here... I know one can spend many many dollars in these so Chinese when we can!
Thanks
 
Here's one tool that can do external of any diameter and internal in a bore of .675" or more. I use mine regularly. It comes with two inserts (with two points each), making it a screamin' deal. Plus, the holder is made in a machine shop the USA (not sure about the inserts) and the owner of the company is a good guy - he actually hand-delivers my orders and dispenses valuable advice. :twothumbs

http://www.mesatool.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=14

For smaller bores, buy the Circle brand of all-carbide threading tools from Enco or MSC when a discount rolls around. The ones with .250" shank are rigid and strong enough and will fit in any bore that you're likely to find in a flashlight.
 
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the holder is made in a machine shop the USA
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+1 on Mesa Tools.

Their boring bars are also USA made & sell for Chinese prices. Cost is low enough that I bought a bunch of bars and cut them down in 1" increments for use in the mill boring head.

necessary for threading properly? Lets keep in mind budget
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About $5 will buy either a HSS or Cobalt tool bit (Enco has a bunch in different sizes). Grind to the 60 degree shape shown below & thread for a while. Great for aluminum or mild steel, not so good on harder or tougher materials. Millions of external threads have been cut with a tool like this & quite a few still are.

threadingtool.jpg
 
The tool shown below, also HSS, is super easy to keep sharp as the profile does not change. Grind the top slightly when dull. Always on eBay.
threadingtool2.jpg
 
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Cool, what about the measuring tools like thread pitch gauges, etc?

Oh, I am also wanting to get a tool holder and inserts that are round to do round grooves and a round over insert and tool for rounding over sharp corners in delrin and aluminun...
Thanks
 
OK, guys, here is an update... This ugly thing is not what I had in mind when I decided to upgrade, but it was $300 with a bunch of tooling, steady rests, 8" (I think) chuck, etc! The chuck turned freely and the gears shifted smoothly. Bad pictures in the ad due to whow tha machine was placed in the garage. It's a Taiwnese 12x26 I think! Made by Sanyuen. I think scrap value on this baby may be $300+ so either way I won't lose. Now I gotta figure out how to move it. The seller is going to help me load it with 5 guys. Then I'll have to figure someting out when I get home. Oh, I did not see it run so I am taking a chance, but the guy said it works. It's wired for 220 and he did not have a plug for it.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/for/1832152552.html

I figure, rent a lift gated truck for this!
 
65535 said:
The beauty about metal and machines is they can always be fixed with some skill, time, money, and patience.
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Yeah, lets just hope the MONEY part of it doesn't kill me, though... That $300 deal might turn out into a $2000 nightmare. lol

I am building dollies this week to be able to move it. I called some riggers and they want $1200 to drive it 30 miles (load and unload)... The seller offered to have some guys help me load it so mainly I'll have to unload when I get it home. I have some work buddies for that that will work for custom Maglites and above all BEER!!
 
An important thing to keep in mind as you are restoring it...

You may not need more accuracy than what the old timer provides. Get used to the lathe before deciding what needs to be perfected. It is quite possible to design things to fit together despite loose tolerances. China does it all the time. So do the car manufacturers. Ever wonder why there is a 1/3 inch gap all the way around your car door? :)

Dan
 
OK, so I have the frames for my dollies welded up. Now I have to drill holes for the 5 casters I am using per dolly. Got a few guys set up for Sunday... Wish me luck. This will be a test of my sucky welding skills!!!
 
I learned recently when I just acquired my first lathe for $80 (craftsman 12x36 with quickchange, some tooling and a whole lot of dust and dirt.) That the lowered end of a truck tail-gate is right about bench height. And unbolting the lathe from the bench gives you a lower center of gravity to strap down. It'd be wise to relevel it when you put it back together, but your almost undoubtedly going to spend days inspecting every gear and surface anyways.
 
Wow, you are either really brave, or a gambler!

I'm sure that it can be restored, but you'll have your work cut out for you. The good thing about that, is that you will know the lathe from inside to out. :devil:


350xfire said:
OK, guys, here is an update... This ugly thing is not what I had in mind when I decided to upgrade, but it was $300 with a bunch of tooling, steady rests, 8" (I think) chuck, etc! The chuck turned freely and the gears shifted smoothly. Bad pictures in the ad due to whow tha machine was placed in the garage. It's a Taiwnese 12x26 I think! Made by Sanyuen. I think scrap value on this baby may be $300+ so either way I won't lose. Now I gotta figure out how to move it. The seller is going to help me load it with 5 guys. Then I'll have to figure someting out when I get home. Oh, I did not see it run so I am taking a chance, but the guy said it works. It's wired for 220 and he did not have a plug for it.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/for/1832152552.html

I figure, rent a lift gated truck for this!
Click to expand...
 
OK, guys, the lathe is home... Took 5 guys to load onto trailer using jacks and dollies. Then to unload 3 guys using 2 cherry pickers. I took my L6-30 plug off my welder and hooked it up to the machine and it works fine. The gears work nicely, the leadscrew turns, etc, etc.. Now I'm working on my "chinese" paint job using $1 paint from Wal Mart!!! She's looking good. Overall for $300 doesn't seem bad. Needs new belts. I need to figure out how to change the oil... So final specs- 12x36, 1.5" bore, 8" chuck!!! A bunch of tooling, none of which is indexable.

I need a QCTP for it. It does not use a dove tail nut, but a bolt sticks up through it.
 
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