Metal Lathe & Mill Recommendations

[Jamie Hascall]

Since we've been going on and on about planers, jointers, and bandsaws, It got me thinking about some machinery that I have a hankering for but don't know enough about. For both use while working on the boat and in my business, I've been wanting benchtop sized metal lathe and mill capacity. There are combo tools and individual tools that look like they might be okay, but I have used a Chinese made budget mill and a good old Bridgeport and know the difference. What I want is the best bang for the buck in a smaller sized package. There's a mighty sexy little combo unit from Micro-Mark ( www.micromark.com ) that got me thinking about this question. What do you all think?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Jamie Hascall]

Since we've been going on and on about planers, jointers, and bandsaws, It got me thinking about some machinery that I have a hankering for but don't know enough about. For both use while working on the boat and in my business, I've been wanting benchtop sized metal lathe and mill capacity. There are combo tools and individual tools that look like they might be okay, but I have used a Chinese made budget mill and a good old Bridgeport and know the difference. What I want is the best bang for the buck in a smaller sized package. There's a mighty sexy little combo unit from Micro-Mark ( www.micromark.com ) that got me thinking about this question. What do you all think?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Jamie Hascall]

Since we've been going on and on about planers, jointers, and bandsaws, It got me thinking about some machinery that I have a hankering for but don't know enough about. For both use while working on the boat and in my business, I've been wanting benchtop sized metal lathe and mill capacity. There are combo tools and individual tools that look like they might be okay, but I have used a Chinese made budget mill and a good old Bridgeport and know the difference. What I want is the best bang for the buck in a smaller sized package. There's a mighty sexy little combo unit from Micro-Mark ( www.micromark.com ) that got me thinking about this question. What do you all think?

Thanks,
Jamie

[gary porter]

Jamie, If you have the space and the money, go for the individual machines. Around Seattle you should be able to locate some that are in good shape. Holiday(sp) Machinery there has many used lathes etc. with most combo machines you'll have the same problem as with machines like the ShopSmith, always having to reset the machine configuration.
Bridgeport is out of business for the time but Sharp does make a quality import copy,,,still big bucks. $6,000-$12,000. I have an old Atlas lathe that has been converted to a variable speed DC motor 3/4hp. Its alot of fun to use though I don't get around to it all that much. If your not real savy on the different machines its worth having a good machinist take a close look as you can really get burnt. Keep us posted as to what you find.
Gary

[gary porter]

Jamie, If you have the space and the money, go for the individual machines. Around Seattle you should be able to locate some that are in good shape. Holiday(sp) Machinery there has many used lathes etc. with most combo machines you'll have the same problem as with machines like the ShopSmith, always having to reset the machine configuration.
Bridgeport is out of business for the time but Sharp does make a quality import copy,,,still big bucks. $6,000-$12,000. I have an old Atlas lathe that has been converted to a variable speed DC motor 3/4hp. Its alot of fun to use though I don't get around to it all that much. If your not real savy on the different machines its worth having a good machinist take a close look as you can really get burnt. Keep us posted as to what you find.
Gary

[gary porter]

Jamie, If you have the space and the money, go for the individual machines. Around Seattle you should be able to locate some that are in good shape. Holiday(sp) Machinery there has many used lathes etc. with most combo machines you'll have the same problem as with machines like the ShopSmith, always having to reset the machine configuration.
Bridgeport is out of business for the time but Sharp does make a quality import copy,,,still big bucks. $6,000-$12,000. I have an old Atlas lathe that has been converted to a variable speed DC motor 3/4hp. Its alot of fun to use though I don't get around to it all that much. If your not real savy on the different machines its worth having a good machinist take a close look as you can really get burnt. Keep us posted as to what you find.
Gary

[capt jake]

Boeing Surplus??

[capt jake]

Boeing Surplus??

[capt jake]

Boeing Surplus??

[Dave Fleming]

Jamie, I have no idea of the room you have but IMOOP, individual machines are 99.9% of the time going to be better.
Brands well:
Can't beat a Bridgeport or a WellsIndex some pacific rim machines are not too bad as long as they specify class 7 bearings, Meehanite Castings and hand scraping.
Rong Fu makes a square column mill drill, model 45, and that does make a difference but at 2K USD you may just luck out with a Bdgpt.
Southbend Lathe is a good old name, still in business.
Logan Lathe is another not made but much support out there.
Hardinge Lathes are ***aces*** but tend to be expensive
Monarch Lathes is very good and because of weight are not as sought after as Hardinge but me personally I lust after a nice clean Monarch 10EE.
Suggestions, spend some time over on USENET the news group: rec.crafts.metalworking and lurk for a bit. Fellow Marty Escarcega dabbles in buying and selling used machinery plus the real dyed in the wool used tool dealers like Dave Sobel and Meridian Machinery. All these folks hang out there.
As with woodworking but even more so, TOOLING is the big expense if the machines don't come with chucks, accessories etc., you can spend a good bit of money on that stuff perhaps as much as you spent on the actual machine.
For expample, a nice Rockwell 15 inch vari speed drill press, US made, bench model went for over $500 USD on ebay and a cherry Logan Shaper went for over $600 USD recently. Now admittedly not everyone needs a metal shaper but those are just some price that are fresh in my feeble mind.

[Dave Fleming]

Jamie, I have no idea of the room you have but IMOOP, individual machines are 99.9% of the time going to be better.
Brands well:
Can't beat a Bridgeport or a WellsIndex some pacific rim machines are not too bad as long as they specify class 7 bearings, Meehanite Castings and hand scraping.
Rong Fu makes a square column mill drill, model 45, and that does make a difference but at 2K USD you may just luck out with a Bdgpt.
Southbend Lathe is a good old name, still in business.
Logan Lathe is another not made but much support out there.
Hardinge Lathes are ***aces*** but tend to be expensive
Monarch Lathes is very good and because of weight are not as sought after as Hardinge but me personally I lust after a nice clean Monarch 10EE.
Suggestions, spend some time over on USENET the news group: rec.crafts.metalworking and lurk for a bit. Fellow Marty Escarcega dabbles in buying and selling used machinery plus the real dyed in the wool used tool dealers like Dave Sobel and Meridian Machinery. All these folks hang out there.
As with woodworking but even more so, TOOLING is the big expense if the machines don't come with chucks, accessories etc., you can spend a good bit of money on that stuff perhaps as much as you spent on the actual machine.
For expample, a nice Rockwell 15 inch vari speed drill press, US made, bench model went for over $500 USD on ebay and a cherry Logan Shaper went for over $600 USD recently. Now admittedly not everyone needs a metal shaper but those are just some price that are fresh in my feeble mind.

[Dave Fleming]

Jamie, I have no idea of the room you have but IMOOP, individual machines are 99.9% of the time going to be better.
Brands well:
Can't beat a Bridgeport or a WellsIndex some pacific rim machines are not too bad as long as they specify class 7 bearings, Meehanite Castings and hand scraping.
Rong Fu makes a square column mill drill, model 45, and that does make a difference but at 2K USD you may just luck out with a Bdgpt.
Southbend Lathe is a good old name, still in business.
Logan Lathe is another not made but much support out there.
Hardinge Lathes are ***aces*** but tend to be expensive
Monarch Lathes is very good and because of weight are not as sought after as Hardinge but me personally I lust after a nice clean Monarch 10EE.
Suggestions, spend some time over on USENET the news group: rec.crafts.metalworking and lurk for a bit. Fellow Marty Escarcega dabbles in buying and selling used machinery plus the real dyed in the wool used tool dealers like Dave Sobel and Meridian Machinery. All these folks hang out there.
As with woodworking but even more so, TOOLING is the big expense if the machines don't come with chucks, accessories etc., you can spend a good bit of money on that stuff perhaps as much as you spent on the actual machine.
For expample, a nice Rockwell 15 inch vari speed drill press, US made, bench model went for over $500 USD on ebay and a cherry Logan Shaper went for over $600 USD recently. Now admittedly not everyone needs a metal shaper but those are just some price that are fresh in my feeble mind.

[Jamie Hascall]

Overall I don't have all that much space or money but also don't need too much capacity. Hallidie generally has larger machines and Boeing surplus probably will too. (I probably should get there more often but I spend money whenver I do .)
I saw a cute little Craftsman 109 lathe on E-bay ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1778768509 ) and that seems like the sort of thing I'm thinking of. What else should I be looking for or what might be nice sleepers that could be out there?

Thanks Dave, I'll check out the rec.crafts.metalworking area for a while. there's no urgency for this but I'd sure love to be able to machine things along with the bending and brazing I do.

Jamie

[ 10-17-2002, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Jamie Hascall ]

[Jamie Hascall]

Overall I don't have all that much space or money but also don't need too much capacity. Hallidie generally has larger machines and Boeing surplus probably will too. (I probably should get there more often but I spend money whenver I do .)
I saw a cute little Craftsman 109 lathe on E-bay ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1778768509 ) and that seems like the sort of thing I'm thinking of. What else should I be looking for or what might be nice sleepers that could be out there?

Thanks Dave, I'll check out the rec.crafts.metalworking area for a while. there's no urgency for this but I'd sure love to be able to machine things along with the bending and brazing I do.

Jamie

[ 10-17-2002, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Jamie Hascall ]

[Jamie Hascall]

Overall I don't have all that much space or money but also don't need too much capacity. Hallidie generally has larger machines and Boeing surplus probably will too. (I probably should get there more often but I spend money whenver I do .)
I saw a cute little Craftsman 109 lathe on E-bay ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1778768509 ) and that seems like the sort of thing I'm thinking of. What else should I be looking for or what might be nice sleepers that could be out there?

Thanks Dave, I'll check out the rec.crafts.metalworking area for a while. there's no urgency for this but I'd sure love to be able to machine things along with the bending and brazing I do.

Jamie

[ 10-17-2002, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Jamie Hascall ]

[capt jake]

Harbor Frieght has a small bench top model. I think it was around $400, don't know beans about it though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[capt jake]

Harbor Frieght has a small bench top model. I think it was around $400, don't know beans about it though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[capt jake]

Harbor Frieght has a small bench top model. I think it was around $400, don't know beans about it though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dave Fleming]

Just a FYI, over in rec.crafts.metalworking, HF is not too well regarded for machinery.

[Dave Fleming]

Just a FYI, over in rec.crafts.metalworking, HF is not too well regarded for machinery.

[Dave Fleming]

Just a FYI, over in rec.crafts.metalworking, HF is not too well regarded for machinery.

[Hazy Chris]

Have you looked at Sherline? They are definately benchtop variety. We used to have one around work, and the guy that did most of the machining swore by them for what they could do for the cost. I'm kinda thinking about waiting a good one out on e-bay myself.

[Hazy Chris]

Have you looked at Sherline? They are definately benchtop variety. We used to have one around work, and the guy that did most of the machining swore by them for what they could do for the cost. I'm kinda thinking about waiting a good one out on e-bay myself.

[Hazy Chris]

Have you looked at Sherline? They are definately benchtop variety. We used to have one around work, and the guy that did most of the machining swore by them for what they could do for the cost. I'm kinda thinking about waiting a good one out on e-bay myself.

[NormMessinger]

Or, what the heck. Make your own from scrap.

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/series/index.html



I've started to gather materials. This my be my new hobby.

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

Or, what the heck. Make your own from scrap.

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/series/index.html



I've started to gather materials. This my be my new hobby.

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

Or, what the heck. Make your own from scrap.

http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/series/index.html



I've started to gather materials. This my be my new hobby.

--Norm

[Wiley Baggins]

Originally posted by NormMessinger:
Or, what the heck. Make your own from scrap.
.
.
.
I've started to gather materials. This my be my new hobby.

--Norm

Norm,

If this is some kind of crazy scheme to build some sort of hot-rod replacement hip-replacement...well, I just don't know!

[Wiley Baggins]

Originally posted by NormMessinger:
Or, what the heck. Make your own from scrap.
.
.
.
I've started to gather materials. This my be my new hobby.

--Norm

Norm,

If this is some kind of crazy scheme to build some sort of hot-rod replacement hip-replacement...well, I just don't know!

[Wiley Baggins]

Originally posted by NormMessinger:
Or, what the heck. Make your own from scrap.
.
.
.
I've started to gather materials. This my be my new hobby.

--Norm

Norm,

If this is some kind of crazy scheme to build some sort of hot-rod replacement hip-replacement...well, I just don't know!

[RGM]

Hi Jamie, hope things are going well for you. I saw you out on Lake Union during the Blanchard gathering/regatta. I watched from the wing wall of our large drydock, we were undocking a boat that Saturday. It was quite a sight, Victoria was a stand out. Anyway, I bought a beautiful 6" Atlas jointer from Hardwick's two years ago. At the same time they had an old (low mileage) Atlas lathe for @ $1,400.00, It was in show room condition with all of the tooling and gadgets a guy could hope for. Somebody snatched it up before I could. It's worth swinging by Hardwick's on a semi-regular basis, you never know what you'll find there. Additionally, there are frequently machines/tools for sale posted on a board at the Seattle Central Wood Construction Center (the Boat School). I'll keep my eyes open for you. Good luck.

[RGM]

Hi Jamie, hope things are going well for you. I saw you out on Lake Union during the Blanchard gathering/regatta. I watched from the wing wall of our large drydock, we were undocking a boat that Saturday. It was quite a sight, Victoria was a stand out. Anyway, I bought a beautiful 6" Atlas jointer from Hardwick's two years ago. At the same time they had an old (low mileage) Atlas lathe for @ $1,400.00, It was in show room condition with all of the tooling and gadgets a guy could hope for. Somebody snatched it up before I could. It's worth swinging by Hardwick's on a semi-regular basis, you never know what you'll find there. Additionally, there are frequently machines/tools for sale posted on a board at the Seattle Central Wood Construction Center (the Boat School). I'll keep my eyes open for you. Good luck.

[RGM]

Hi Jamie, hope things are going well for you. I saw you out on Lake Union during the Blanchard gathering/regatta. I watched from the wing wall of our large drydock, we were undocking a boat that Saturday. It was quite a sight, Victoria was a stand out. Anyway, I bought a beautiful 6" Atlas jointer from Hardwick's two years ago. At the same time they had an old (low mileage) Atlas lathe for @ $1,400.00, It was in show room condition with all of the tooling and gadgets a guy could hope for. Somebody snatched it up before I could. It's worth swinging by Hardwick's on a semi-regular basis, you never know what you'll find there. Additionally, there are frequently machines/tools for sale posted on a board at the Seattle Central Wood Construction Center (the Boat School). I'll keep my eyes open for you. Good luck.

[G. Schollmeier]

LOL! I get to comment on something I know about. For the toy lathes the main spindle inside diameter is a good indication of how useful it will be. When you’re turning something you’re mostly working on the end. The closer you can get that end to the chuck the better. If the spindle or chuck ID is to small to slide the stock through than you have trouble. Who cares if it has a 10’ swing if the spindle ID is only ¾”.

You should be able to find used machine tools for low prices if you look around. All the job shops are getting rid of their standard machines and going to CNC. Even our so-called regular lathe is CNC, without it you can’t compete. In most cases the chucks and tool holders will cost you more than the machine. Most used full-sized stuff will come with 3-phase motors, so you than need an inverter.

If you have any specific questions about any machine I’ll tell you what I know.
Gary

[G. Schollmeier]

LOL! I get to comment on something I know about. For the toy lathes the main spindle inside diameter is a good indication of how useful it will be. When you’re turning something you’re mostly working on the end. The closer you can get that end to the chuck the better. If the spindle or chuck ID is to small to slide the stock through than you have trouble. Who cares if it has a 10’ swing if the spindle ID is only ¾”.

You should be able to find used machine tools for low prices if you look around. All the job shops are getting rid of their standard machines and going to CNC. Even our so-called regular lathe is CNC, without it you can’t compete. In most cases the chucks and tool holders will cost you more than the machine. Most used full-sized stuff will come with 3-phase motors, so you than need an inverter.

If you have any specific questions about any machine I’ll tell you what I know.
Gary

[G. Schollmeier]

LOL! I get to comment on something I know about. For the toy lathes the main spindle inside diameter is a good indication of how useful it will be. When you’re turning something you’re mostly working on the end. The closer you can get that end to the chuck the better. If the spindle or chuck ID is to small to slide the stock through than you have trouble. Who cares if it has a 10’ swing if the spindle ID is only ¾”.

You should be able to find used machine tools for low prices if you look around. All the job shops are getting rid of their standard machines and going to CNC. Even our so-called regular lathe is CNC, without it you can’t compete. In most cases the chucks and tool holders will cost you more than the machine. Most used full-sized stuff will come with 3-phase motors, so you than need an inverter.

If you have any specific questions about any machine I’ll tell you what I know.
Gary

[Jamie Hascall]

Glad I asked! Thanks Gary, that little piece is exactly the type of tidbit I was looking for. After working with wood for all these years, it seems fairly closely related to metal working but the fundamental differences of how you work make it a whole different world. I think I'll probably take a night class in basic machining before I make any investments.

Roger, I too missed an Atlas a few years back at an auction of the Balcom and Vaughn Pipe Organ Co. I did get some other neat stuff though. I need to find one to look at to figure out what I'm looking for when I go out looking for real. Sorry I didn't wave when we went by during the regatta. We were working hard to squeeze the speed up from 1.8 Knots to 2.4 knots. Ah the joys of light air racing. We did have a lot of fun and Victoria really showed her stuff.

[Jamie Hascall]

Glad I asked! Thanks Gary, that little piece is exactly the type of tidbit I was looking for. After working with wood for all these years, it seems fairly closely related to metal working but the fundamental differences of how you work make it a whole different world. I think I'll probably take a night class in basic machining before I make any investments.

Roger, I too missed an Atlas a few years back at an auction of the Balcom and Vaughn Pipe Organ Co. I did get some other neat stuff though. I need to find one to look at to figure out what I'm looking for when I go out looking for real. Sorry I didn't wave when we went by during the regatta. We were working hard to squeeze the speed up from 1.8 Knots to 2.4 knots. Ah the joys of light air racing. We did have a lot of fun and Victoria really showed her stuff.

[Jamie Hascall]

Glad I asked! Thanks Gary, that little piece is exactly the type of tidbit I was looking for. After working with wood for all these years, it seems fairly closely related to metal working but the fundamental differences of how you work make it a whole different world. I think I'll probably take a night class in basic machining before I make any investments.

Roger, I too missed an Atlas a few years back at an auction of the Balcom and Vaughn Pipe Organ Co. I did get some other neat stuff though. I need to find one to look at to figure out what I'm looking for when I go out looking for real. Sorry I didn't wave when we went by during the regatta. We were working hard to squeeze the speed up from 1.8 Knots to 2.4 knots. Ah the joys of light air racing. We did have a lot of fun and Victoria really showed her stuff.

[Dave Fleming]

Yes Jamie, Gary does make a damn good point about spindle thru hole capacity. Good catch, Gary!

[Dave Fleming]

Yes Jamie, Gary does make a damn good point about spindle thru hole capacity. Good catch, Gary!

[Dave Fleming]

Yes Jamie, Gary does make a damn good point about spindle thru hole capacity. Good catch, Gary!

[Bill Dodson]

After my sister-in-law's divorce, she's ended up with a fairly complete workshop on her hands. I believe it includes a small milling machine, and I'm pretty sure she'd like to sell it. If anyone wants to e-mail me, I can find out more. She lives about an hour south east of Washington, DC in Maryland. My e-address is in my profile.

Bill

[Bill Dodson]

After my sister-in-law's divorce, she's ended up with a fairly complete workshop on her hands. I believe it includes a small milling machine, and I'm pretty sure she'd like to sell it. If anyone wants to e-mail me, I can find out more. She lives about an hour south east of Washington, DC in Maryland. My e-address is in my profile.

Bill

[Bill Dodson]

After my sister-in-law's divorce, she's ended up with a fairly complete workshop on her hands. I believe it includes a small milling machine, and I'm pretty sure she'd like to sell it. If anyone wants to e-mail me, I can find out more. She lives about an hour south east of Washington, DC in Maryland. My e-address is in my profile.

Bill

[Jamie Hascall]

Sigh... if only she was in the other Washington.

[Jamie Hascall]

Sigh... if only she was in the other Washington.

[Jamie Hascall]

Sigh... if only she was in the other Washington.

[Dave Fleming]

This site has quite a bit about lathes, millers etc.. Good background material for what to look for in many different brands. Lathes Milling Machines

[Dave Fleming]

This site has quite a bit about lathes, millers etc.. Good background material for what to look for in many different brands. Lathes Milling Machines