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Post by 12ptdroptine on Dec 21, 2014 9:14:53 GMT -5
Today is my last day to be able to order a Harbor Freight Mini lathe. It is a 7x12.
I have very little knowledge in running one. But I am pretty handy. Dont know of any specific needs I will have for it. But it could be an awful handy tool to have in my arsenal. I think I could fugure it out to do tinkering jobs. Maybe set some headspace on some plugs? Or chuck up a plug and spin it slowly to clean carbon out . The delima is that it is normally pruced at 699...i believe. And it is on sale now for 549. And I have a 25% coupon off of that. Allows it to be at my door for 425. What I think is a deal. So...You guys in the know. Please give me some advice. And what tooling will I need to get to start with, and as I go along. I dont want to be a machine shop. Just do some tinkering.
As always
Thank You All in Advance
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Post by linebaugh on Dec 21, 2014 10:09:19 GMT -5
That lathe is tiny and you will only be able to do very small work on it. It will likely also have a hard time holding tolerance unless you take very light cuts and only work on very small projects.
Yes you could headspace plugs no problem but that is about the type and size of work you would be regulated to. The smaller bench top mills and lathes are just not heavily built enough to pull off bigger projects.
If you are a tinkerer even that lathe will pay for itself in a few years and it will be a ton of fun for you in the mean time. I bought a 1236 about 10 years ago and I can promise that lathe has paid for itself 5 fold in work for myself and friends. I purchased the largest benchtop dovetail mill I could find 2 years ago and I can tell you it is well on it's way to paying for itself. And the fun you get in playing with them... priceless!
Bottom line if you have the room and the means buy the biggest/heaviest lathe you can afford. If the lathe you picked out is about the top end of your budget and room go for it. I have no doubt it will pay for itself both physically and mentally.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2014 10:12:26 GMT -5
I don't have any experience with that specific piece but it will be handier than not having one at all. You can do your own headspacing on the savage plug Remington's and probably could install bushings and recess vent liners with a little extra tooling. I would get a set of 3/8 indexable carbide insert holders and a drill chuck for the tailstock. You will find you'll want some hss tooling in the future and parting tools are handy also. Get a set of 60* center drills and a no 4 1/2 82* if you want to recess vents recess other screws with a 3/8 head.
Check out grizzly's website for similar sized machines and see how they compare. Grizzly is still china but they always have parts on hand and should for years to come.
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Post by Richard on Dec 21, 2014 10:22:02 GMT -5
Kind of corroborates what I told you...............Definitely better than no lathe  Richard |
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Post by linebaugh on Dec 21, 2014 11:29:46 GMT -5
Another member sent me a link to this lathe. As mentioned get the drill chuck and starter kit to at least get you rolling.
If you get that lathe find a good flat piece of 1/4" plate and bolt the lathe to it and then the plate to your bench. It will strengthen the frame/bed and add weight which will reduce some chatter and should enhance accuracy/tolerences.
Cute little lathe. As long is it holds up and doesn't break I think you will easily get the value out of it. I'd say go for it. Buy derin, aluminum and brass to play with, all useful materials for building things too. Buy 1" and 1/2" stock and it will cover many projects. I use onlinemetals.com for most of my new stock.
Hope to hear how you like it.
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Post by dannoboone on Dec 21, 2014 11:59:37 GMT -5
In your shoes, think I would go for it. With the exception of muzzle loading, this guy has about done it all: www.varmintal.com/alath.htmOn the page, there is a link to a group which takes the HF lathes and proceeds to make them better and more accurate. |
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Dec 21, 2014 15:18:24 GMT -5
Kind of corroborates what I told you...............Definitely better than no lathe Richard Yes it does Richard. I thinknI will order it in a little while. Itnshould be a good tool to learn with. But I want a bigger one when I retire...I think anyway... thanks all drop |
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Dec 21, 2014 18:15:21 GMT -5
Ordered. Back ordered til Feb 27th. But knew that anyway. But that locks in that price for me. $445 to my door. Should be fun to learn with ...then maybe someday on to bigger and better.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2014 18:20:47 GMT -5
Save the receipt drop. Harbor Freights warranty is pretty good with their tools if you break them.
My buddy ordered a lathe and mill from Grizzley. Took the boat like a month to get here from China. UPS dropped them off on his driveway. Man that mill was heavy. My back hurts just thinking about it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2014 18:28:29 GMT -5
Grizzly is in your back yard! Did he go there to look first? Yes, if they are out of stock you can wait a long time for the next ship.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2014 18:35:58 GMT -5
Yes he did. They had to wait on the slow boat from China |
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Dec 30, 2014 15:55:45 GMT -5
Update....
Got an email today...it's on its way from CA. Surprised but happy. Cleaning it up and setting it up will give me some " tinker time " Out in the garage.
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