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Benchtop Mini Metal Lathe


eoneuk

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I would like some comments from forum members who have and use mini lathes for light tooling work -- such as the Chicago, Erie, Grizzly, or others.

 

Pros and cons would be appreciated as well as value (features, functionality vs. cost).

 

Thanks

 

Ed

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What size/type of material and what type of stuff are you wanting to machine ?
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I have had a HF 9x19 for a decade and use it all the time. No power cross feed makes it hard to use all day long and the belt drive can be a pain if you don't have another handy. It retailed for $700, they are no longer available. I don't think I would go any smaller since I cant drill out rocket tooling beyond #3 rammers due to the bed length.

 

The crossfeed is also pretty loose, it's fine for aluminum but it chatters across steel and stainless due to bed movement.

 

I am looking to buy a Bolton BT800 16X30 in the next 6 months so that I can work on larger projects and have a mill/drill handy.

 

To repeat what Carbon is asking, " What size/type of material and what type of stuff are you wanting to machine ? "

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Got interested in trying something new -- for me. Would use it for making tooling for small rockets and other cored devices. Also, I have some interest in attempting to make simple miniature steam engines. Materials would be mainly aluminum and brass, maybe some steel.

 

Ed

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As long as you don't need perfect accuracy, a mini lathe would be fine for small tools. I don't think you would be happy with a small lathe for steel though, the cross slides are just too thin to give you accurate cuts.
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