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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe?

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John Horner

03-23-2005 20:25:32




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It seems that almost the only suppliers of modest sized metal lathes these days are selling the output of a Chinese factory. Jet, Wilton, Bridgewood, Enco, Harbor Freight and others all are selling very similar looking machines in the 12x36 and 14x40 size classes.

Is anyone here using one of these? I know that a better option often is to find a good used US or European lathe, but these are becoming scarce on the ground, at least here in California.

John

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dr.sportster

03-24-2005 14:23:53




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to John Horner, 03-23-2005 20:25:32  
Seems to be a great disparity in prices of used American lathes across country.I have a Clausing {$500 no tooling] have been given a Pratt and Whitney and paid $200 for a large ,very old ,Pratt and Whitney.Ive seen lathes in dumpsters that I would have to have a crane to get out.Although I climbed in for all the goodies.I was offered a drill press free.When I went to see it it was a six gang with 6 three phase motors WW2 vintage that had to be rigged out of a basement two flights.Several thousand pounds.Declined on that one but was told to help myself to boxes of used tooling of all sorts.Due to modernization of the surviving machine shops there seems to be alot of early stuff around.At least around here.

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Mike M

03-24-2005 09:24:53




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to John Horner, 03-23-2005 20:25:32  
I have an older import 13x40 Forget the name but it doesn't matter as they don't sell parts for it anyhow. When first new I had to tear it apart and clean it up and rework the tail stock to get it accurate. You might check with Grizzly as they claim they sell parts for thiers and thiers only. I had to have a feed gear custom made for mine.Not cheap !Wasn't much more $ for two after set up costs so I had two made.

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Bill WI

03-24-2005 10:45:00




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to Mike M, 03-24-2005 09:24:53  
Just a thought, we used to buy stock gears from Boston Gear and modifiy the hubs to our needs. Cutting the gears is where the money is on onesys and twoseys.



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Gerald J.

03-24-2005 11:59:46




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to Bill WI , 03-24-2005 10:45:00  
Now Boston Gear no longer stocks any gears but has turned into a shop that will make any gear in a day or two, but the set up costs are astronomical and independent of gear size whether miniature or tractor bull gear size.

Stock gears are available from Browning yet and a few other makers. Last I wanted some, I found a bearing supply house had the best prices and selection.

Gerald J.



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Bill WI

03-24-2005 07:50:03




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to John Horner, 03-23-2005 20:25:32  
When I was still working in the toolroom, the company had 2 Bridgeport mills with the J heads. I remember the new one bought about 15 yrs ago had the tag on it "made in Singapore" I had the head apart a couple times and many of the parts were the same as the old one. We always talked about it. Just for what it's worth.



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Midwest redneck

03-24-2005 02:21:33




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to John Horner, 03-23-2005 20:25:32  
I have been looking at new lathes too. I have been told, and have the opinion that the new Chinese lathes are not durable enough. I am talking about the Jets and Encos. Now I have been turning metal for years and have used a nice big 14" 5HP lathe (lodge and shipley) and I am used to it and runs like a Cadillac, on a paved road.
In my educated opinion if you are going to spend the money and you want new, buy a Clausing Metosa or Clausing Colchester for $10,000, 14" diam, 3HP. Or a 1.5HP Clausing for about $6,500, it will hold the resale and will cut a lot of metal. I also have the same opinion on the Jet and Enco Milling machines. Hope this helps.

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Jpuleo

03-23-2005 21:54:22




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to John Horner, 03-23-2005 20:25:32  
too bad your out west. I just sold a beautiful logan 9" lathe for under $400. Darn thing was like a swiss watch. I understand many people are pleased with Jet. check ebay, I often see old craftsman matal lathes for sale on the left coast.



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Stickler

03-24-2005 05:42:38




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to Jpuleo, 03-23-2005 21:54:22  
Good Gawd! Decent 50 year old Logan or South bend 9 and 10" lathes up here go for $2500 to $3000 and up, IF you can find one! I'd drive cross country to find one in decent shape for $400!



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J puleo

03-25-2005 08:02:15




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to Stickler, 03-24-2005 05:42:38  
Too bad, I posted the logan in the tool section for $380 right before I sold it. But it got deleted shortly after. I thought I was doing yall a favor, oh well. Definately check ebay.



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Great Dain

03-24-2005 15:52:29




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 Re: Anyone using a modern Chinese Lathe? in reply to Stickler, 03-24-2005 05:42:38  
Run a 2 year old grizzly where I work with a digital read-out. Also a Webb both very good lathes hold tight tolerances with both, the grizzly is a nice threading machine. Ran Monarchs, Warner Swazey and a few other brands. Very scary how good these Chinese machines are. Think the economy is slow, just wait till China gets in 2nd Gear!!!! Alot of bigger machine shops in my area (Midwest) have laid off alot of machinist's and sending alot of work over to India and China. That is why you can't buy a new American Lathe cause I am preety sure that they are like dinasaurs. EXTINCT BLA BLA BLA

Any ways, grizzly makes a good small 12" lathe that will out last any one that uses it frequently.

My .02 worth

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