METAL LATHE

If you were going to purchase a metal lathe for your shop use, what would you purchase? I just want to turn bronze bushings,small steel shafts, etc. Any suggestions? Maybe you have one that you really like - would like to hear from you. Thanks for your help.
 
I have a Clausing. South Bend is popular as are quite a few others. It's more about condition than brand though. A big plus is lots of tooling coming with the purchase. Extras are expensive to buy.
 
Amen to that (looking for extra tooling with the purchase).

All similar lathes will probably be priced in the same ballpark, So you stand to score the best deal on the extras that are thrown in. People forget how much they've sunk into all the extras over the years, and tend to undervalue it.

I like Southbend, you can't really go wrong there.

Plenty of good old brands out there, but Southbend has earned a good reputation as a great home shop lathe.

They look a little light weight, but I'm guessing they're more than solid enough for your needs.

Belt drive is a good safety feature, so you don't break too many things when you leave the chuck key in, etc. ... not that I've ever done that.

They're relatively simple machines and easy to adjust. And parts are readily available should you ever need anything.

Hopefully you can try before you buy to see if it meets your needs. But I think you'd be perfectly happy with on if it's not too badly beat up.
 
Hi, the answer is more complicated than what is the best because best varies with needs. If you are willing to listen then the pitfalls of many others can be avoided.
First thing to avoid is the antiques meaning like pre WW2. I wont get into the ifs whys or why nots, just avoid any antique, I dont care who made it or how cheap it is. Second thing The Dr is right about tooling. A "bargain" bare lathe is a money pit by the time it is tooled. Things like chucks, steady and follow rests, tool holding, centers are what I am talking about. Another thing you need to get a FIRM handle on is what size work you wish to preform and once done get it firmly implanted that a given size lathe can handily preform work about 1/2, yes 1/2 of its rated capacity, especially swing but also length. Anything larger than 1/2 you you find yourself needing to get creative with tool and work holding to preform the task. As for good ole American vs import that can turn into a 25 page slug fest. Depends on what you want to do, what you find available. Want to thread metric? then forget "good old American lathes" Do not buy a used import lathe unless it is very cheap or very little used. A good thing the imports do is package everything together. All you need is the cutting tool itself and your in business. By and large the imported lathes larger than about 12x36 are decent machines for the money, anything smaller is pure garbage. The 3 is 1 machines are garbage. Just because two import machines look alike does not mean you are getting the same machine. Brand like Grizley or Jet and others have specifications. When the machine does not meet the spec it gets a different paint job and decal and is sold as brand X. My opinion is these brand X machines along with the small machines and the 3 in 1s are why the imports have such a lousy reputation in certain circles. I own about have import machine tools and half older American built and both will turn out good work.

That ought to get you started, LOL
 
How big of parts?

I have a little Myford 7" lathe and its too small for farm related work. I used to have access to several 14" and 20" lathes that were fantastic for farm sized work but clumsy for small stuff.

They also had some 10" southbends that seemed like a nice size for puttering at home.

I looked at a nice 18" swing lathe this winter but it was missing the chuck and no tooling. Did the sensible thing and walked away even when the seller dropped price to 200$. Just to get a good quality chuck new for that sucker would put me up more than another lathe with tooling.
 
Agree 1000% on staying away from the chinese three in one machines.

I got a free enco 3 in 1 from a local college that was tossing it out. It was in like new condition, but they were tossing it because they never used it.

Now I have it and never use it.
 
I looked at a lot of lathes, new and used. For what was being asked for them I went with a new 14" Jet.Just under $2000 out the door.
With used lathes I was concerned I was buying someone else's worn out problem.
Grizzly was right in there with the selection, quality for the money and prices they have. Went with Jet because they are closer to my house to transport the lathe.
Good hunting and enjoy the new lathe. I feel mine paid for itself the first time I NEEDED it.
 
Take your time and try to find a good South Bend like a 10K or similar. . they are around. Several years ago I found a nice 9 inch Model A SB. About 47 years ago I bought a new 12 inch Atlas with quick change gear box, and both machines have served me well. Little by little I bought the 12 inch Atlas follower rest, steady rest and milling attachment. I also made tooling for both lathes. Where you will spend money is buying a new 3 jaw and 4 jaw chuck both of which are necessary for good work. You can also advertise for what you want or see if there is a "reputable" machinery broker in your area. You can also advertise in the "Home Shop Machinist" or " Machinist's Workshop". Watch the off shore products as most are "works in progress" and need to be fined tuned which takes time and experience. Both of my lathes have made tractor parts with no trouble.
 
It all comes down to money.
How much can you spend, if you do not have at least $ 1,500 bux then I would think that you will not be able to find much. $ 10,000 now your talking,
Colchester/Lablond/Harrison/Lodge-Shipley----All good.
 
Thirteen years ago I purchased a Smithy granite size of combo lath/vertical mill.
For my use its been good, I don't do anything big vith it.
I'd rather buy sumthing American made, but at the time it was on sale at a good discount.
The support team at the company has been great.
 
Hi Gene,
I have a big old Seneca Falls tool room lathe and a small Atlas lathe.The Seneca Falls lathe is big with the flat leather belt to run it. works really well for larger stuff. I find my old Atlas I use the most. It's pretty accurate. Just have to be patient and not push it too hard and keep your tooling close to the tool post to stop chattering.
Like everyone says make sure you get tooling with whatever you purchase.
I want to get a 4 jaw for my atlas. My big lathe has a 4 jaw and it's really handy.
Regards Martin
 
(quoted from post at 15:30:47 03/25/14) Hi Gene,
I have a big old Seneca Falls tool room lathe and a small Atlas lathe.The Seneca Falls lathe is big with the flat leather belt to run it. works really well for larger stuff. I find my old Atlas I use the most. It's pretty accurate. Just have to be patient and not push it too hard and keep your tooling close to the tool post to stop chattering.
Like everyone says make sure you get tooling with whatever you purchase.
I want to get a 4 jaw for my atlas. My big lathe has a 4 jaw and it's really handy.
Regards Martin

I seldom here of a Seneca Falls. I have one, it's a 14"x40". Not sure but I think it had a flat belt on originally. It looks like it was originally run with a line shaft. It now has a pedistal fasten to it and an electric motor with a 3 speed Ford transmission on top of that pedistal.

What size is yours.


Dusty
 
Hi Dusty,
You are the first guy I have heard that has one, there are bits
about it on the web.
That pretty ingenious running it with an electric motor thru a
ford transmission!
Mine is the same size. 14"x 40". Mine is run from a flat belt
above. Used to be from line shaft, but my father converted it to
an electric motor about 50 years ago. I inherited it from him
when he passed . He was a tool and die maker.
Not sure where he bought it. It has always been in the shop
since I was a boy. They don't build them like this now.
Martin
 
(quoted from post at 05:26:04 03/25/14) If you were going to purchase a metal lathe for your shop use, what would you purchase? I just want to turn bronze bushings,small steel shafts, etc. Any suggestions? Maybe you have one that you really like - would like to hear from you. Thanks for your help.

Unless money is very tight I would shop around for one of at least 10" swing and with a quick change gear box. 13-15" would be better. Changing gears for threading can be done but, dear Lord, it's such a pain. What's worse is trying to use a lathe that's too small. A standard sized 13-15" lathe is going to have at least 3-4 foot bed on it, maybe 6-8 foot and that's good. Accessories like various chucks, face plates, dogs, taper attachments, tool post grinders, collet set ups, etc. just add value. But it all takes room, good lighting and a solid base. OTOH, they hold their value pretty well.
 
Agreed on all points.

What he said about the gear box in why I stated
earlier to stay away from antiques. It"s not that
a person cannot preform work on one, its that
often the novice doesn"t know what he is getting
into and buys a golden oldie and finds out he
doesn"t have enough of it to do any work, loses
interest and it becomes a shop ornament. Also when
you tire of sharpening tool steel and check out
carbide you find that you dont have enough surface
speed to run it except on large diameter work.

Also agree with Dusty, smaller bench lathes are
not only least useful they are also the worst buys
in lathes because everyone and their brother wants
a small bench lathe sitting in the garage or
basement. You can buy a larger and much more
useful machine for the same or less money.
 
Hard to beat a later model Southbend Heavy 10... Or a Clausing with the variable drive... As with anything it comes down to condition and tooling.

Also, take a look at the Practical Machinist site. Those guys tend to be more commercial but good sub-forums by brand and a for sale area that is pretty good. They don't tend to allow hobby class machines ...

John
 

Do NOT even look at the Craftsman 109 series lathes. I had one given to me in exchange for some work I did. Chucked a rusty 1/4" bolt into it and TRYED to make a cut just deep enough to take the rust off. Promptly twisted the spindle. I listed it on CL for $100 and it was gone the next day.
 
(quoted from post at 06:36:37 03/25/14) First thing to avoid is the antiques meaning like pre WW2. I wont get into the ifs whys or why nots, just avoid any antique, I dont care who made it or how cheap it is.

I can see why you wouldn't want one for a business, but there is nothing wrong with one for personal use. I have a 1921 lathe that totally serves the purpose of a homeshop. I can keep .002 tolerance on it with my eyes closed. Close enough for, let's say, backhoe and loader pins.
 
Hello everyone and mods.
Doing my research for metal lathes. Anyone knowledgeable about metal lathes care to give me an advice?
Because I want to buy my own metal lathe.
As I'm a beginner I don't know which one to buy.
I came upon a review and I'd like you to tell me which metal lathe is good to buy in this review?
https://www.jenreviews.com/best-metal-lathe/
Thank you.
 

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