I'm thinking about build a metal lathe

[andyman]

I don't set my goals to high or nothing huh?

i first got the idea after seeing a taig mini lathe(http://www.taigtools.com/mlathe.html) that i could build one. Any ways this is what i got so far.



let me know wat ya think i figure the cost is only $200 bucks so far. thats without purchasing a motor and a chuck.

Andy

[aametalmaster]

Why don't you spend a few hundred more and get a good one??? I have 5 of them...Bob

[ponch37300]

I started looking for a lathe recently, not in a hurry so just keeping my eyes open and when a decent one comes along for a decent price I'll scoop it up. From what I can tell your design looks like there isn't alot of capacity. The shaft looks pretty close to the bed which will really limit the diameter of stock you can put on it.

[andyman]

buying one takes the fun out of it???what do you need 5 lathes for?O-o

there is a half inch between the outside of the chuck and what would be the plan of the bed.

[aametalmaster]

I have 5 to make money with. Lathes are cheap right now. I see some for 500 bucks that you couldn't have touched for 1,500 bucks a year ago. I can see building one and thats fine too. Check into the Gingerly lathe...Bob

[Paul Seaman]

I have an Atlas 4" AKA a Craftsman lathe. Its a small model but for some things its just right. I have seen similar ones for sale on Ebay for 500 bucks. My tooling cost twice what I gave for mine at $100 4 years ago.

Peace,
Paul

[aametalmaster]

Tooling is the killer on any lathe. Now you can make all you need real easy as i did for mine. But if you want fancy names be prepared to spend lots of money. My lathes all came bare bones and i just make what i need and i can do any job that comes in my shop. If anyone is interested just have a look in my SB10K lathe group for lots of pics and ideas...Bob
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/