What do you think of this mini lathe?

[SignWave]

Hi Guys (& Gals),

I came to the conclusion that this might be a handy unit to have on hand.
I'm finding out that my drill press just isnt going to be able to give me the precision I was looking for and yesterday I was making some weld-on hinges for my boats cabinet doors... They looked like they were made by a blindfolded, one handed monkey with epilepsy.... sigh.

This machine is of course made in china...

anyone have a better idea? I'd love to hear it

Rich.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...oduct&ID=82710

[mattb]

Looks like it will be better than the Brand X they mention, which I have. Your $200 extra will probably be worth it, mine is very useful but it is not a precision unit and a little play is a very bad thing.....
Also having 14" of travel over 12 would be nice, when you put on the drill/live center section you end up losing about 5" of travel

Had I had the $ I would/should have gone with one like this
YMMV
Matt

[HMW]

I bought the 9" x 20" from enco and its not that great. Its not really true. Use it to bore some small holes in the end of shafts and turn a few things. But if I relly want it accurate I have to use the 4 jaw chuck and a dial indicator, sucks , takes too much time. Or maybe its just me

[mattb]

Also mini-lathes.com, which is an excellent source of info, had good things to say.
go to
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe...tm#Which_lathe
Matt

[tdkkart]

This place is a "don't miss" for owners of mini lathes and mills
http://littlemachineshop.com/default.php

[monte55]

Any lathe is better that no lathe..........you can get a cheap lathe and with a little bit of "tuning up" make it do lots of neat stuff. A quality lathe in the hands of an idiot produces similar results. My smallish lathe and mill help make
my cnc machine and lots more. Click on links below to see

[SignWave]

So many choices.... Thanks for all the great links you guys. Ive been doing alot of reading for the last two hours.. My eyes hurt...
Im not sure if I should go this route or actually go out and get a full size.. The old saying- go big or go home.. kinda applies. The mini thing would be great but what if I want to make something larger than 2" in Dia...
could leave me a bit stuck and back on square one.

[bob_e95482]

That looks like a nice little unit. Go for it.

[aametalmaster]

You can always buy a bigger one later. I started with a 6x12 24 years ago and now have 2 South Bends plus 2 of the 6x12's...Bob

[Fishy Jim]

But Bob, you make little stuff all the time.