Lathe

If you are the type of person who wants to go beyond woodworking or maybe try to build a small steam engine or IC (internal combustion) engine will very likely be looking for a metal lathe. Choosing a metal lathe is a little ‘intimidating, especially for first time buyer.A simple web search will produce all kinds of opinions and choices. One thing you quickly learn there can be fierce loyalty to the brand, country of origin, size, and sometimes even in color!

Lathe

So you might as well get in the fray and present my ideas. However, be warned, I have some dogs in the fight. Over the past 20 years I owned a lathe and Asian Americans, in fact I am on my way back right now. I hope that over the last 20 years or more have been able to take a couple of curiosities that can help you in your choice.

Lathe

First, I would break the tradition. Most people will tell you “any lathe you better not come back.” However, do not necessarily agree. I think, wears a lathe is not nothing but trouble, especially for those who have never used a metal lathe before. So, before you start talking about size, wealth, or color, if this is your first lathe, please contact a lathe that is at least “good”, not a piece of wear of cast iron.

Lathe

So, let’s look at size. The size of the lathes in the United States is measured in terms of diameter and length in inches of material that can be turned. For example, you will see that come back are sized 6 x 18, 7 x 14, 12 X 36, etc. This means that theoretically a 6 x 18 lathe can turn a piece of 6 inch diameter of 18 cm in length. In fact, it will be less, since it has to leave room for slight tooling lathe. BTW, our English friends would measure the same lathe 3 x 18 as measured from the center of the lathe spindle (3 x 2 = 6). One last thing the size: Get a big enough. I have seen and known, people who buy too small, then you need to upgrade within a year or two.

Lathe

The next crucial decision is to decide on the manual gear change or rapid change. I had a lot and I believe a change with variations in speed may be used is a huge time saver.However, the key word here is used. I’ve seen (and properties) that the low return rate was good, but high speed was too slow and vice versa. manual transmission, too, that I have owned gear that, while it takes about 5 minutes to shift gears, the speed selection is in place. Plus and minus, just like life. After 20 years here, is my conclusion. If you can live with the selection of speed on the quick, go for it. However, do not let that be a deal breaker, the lathe I currently use most is a manual transmission and I really can not miss (most of the time) a quick change as I thought.

Lathe

Now for the big question-US or Asia? That this is a Pandora’s box. Again, I owned both.Bottom line: go back to Asia today are not an instrument of evil. For a long time, people considered them a ‘kit’ of general who once bought you took the car apart, clean everything, sanded signs of fusion, usually to replace bolts with U.S. stocks and put it back together. Today things are very different. The last lathe I bought was a Lathemaster 9 X 30. It took uncrating, cleaning the grease out and start shooting expedition. It took less than an hour from the back of the truck to turn on and ready to run. And Lathemaster is truly a fine machine and a pleasure to use.

Lathe

Final Thoughts: Look for a solid machine, a lot of questions on the forum many shop at home out there and make a decision. Just like life, nothing is perfect or easy, and it’s the same thing when choosing a metal lathe. However, go for it. Choose one that suits your needs and after a year or so under my belt, then you’ll make a better decision next time.

(C) 2008 John Robertson-This article may be shared with others in its entirety. However, credit must be given to John Robertson and the following text must be included.