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Thread: Choice of lathe for beginner
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9th October 2011, 03:09 PM #1New Member
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Choice of lathe for beginner
Hi everyone, Im really glad I found this site, seems to be a lot of knowledgable people on here. Which is handy, as i have a question. Im currently studying mechanical Engineering at Uni, and would love to get into machining up some small projects, I have never owned a lathe before, but am looking at buying one this week or next week. I have a few choices, and my budget is basically under $1500 or so.
1. Currently There is an old Atlas lathe which is 400mm between centres for sale, I believe its an atlas 101 or something, comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks and change gears etc. for threading, in fair condition. $500
2. used hafco al280p which is a combination mill and lathe, which would be good as I could machine alot more parts having a small mill aswell. $800
3. sieg c6, brand new would cost about $1500 500mm between centres..
I posted three photos, red one is sieg c6, blue one is hafco al180p, and green one is atlas.
If anyone has any suggestions on which would be best for a beginner that would be great.
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9th October 2011 03:09 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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9th October 2011, 03:22 PM #2
Advice
hi Jordan
I think your better off going for a lathe on its own. Those combo machines are somewhat less than ideal . Others with more experience will add more comments no doubt.
Because I prefer older stuff , I went for a used education dept. lathe . My thinking was, if it can survive many years of abuse by spotted faced teenage brats , then it must be well made.
I would go for a slightly bigger lathe than your pics there. The Hercus 260's are ideal as it's Australian made and parts are still available from the manufacturer in Adelaide and a vendor on this forum. Mike
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9th October 2011, 03:49 PM #3New Member
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Thanks alot for your advice, Ill most likely take your advice and steer clear of the combo machine. A hercus 260 would be good, although havent seen any around brisbane lately, And also I dont have alot of room..
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9th October 2011, 04:08 PM #4Dave J Guest
The Atlas lathe looks like a Chinese copy to me, but if I was going to buy one of the 3 it would be that one as long as it's in good condition. For $500 (or less if you can get him down) I think that is not a bad price.
I have had a play with a combo machine at the shop, and I don't think much of it.
Dave
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9th October 2011, 08:44 PM #5
Jet Mini lathe
My choice of a lathe for a beginner was a Jet Mini lathe which I am very happy with. I love how smooth my Jenavene is and how smoothly she hums along. You may prefer something larger but there is an option for an extension with the Jet. They also make them bigger.......
Marg.
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9th October 2011, 10:36 PM #6
I'm not sure if a wood lathe would do metal maching to well Marg.
Jordan go the atlas for 2 reasons. A your buget is $1500 that would leave you with 1k for tooling and materials which is where a lot of the cost is
PeteWhat this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)
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9th October 2011, 10:51 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Hi Jordan,
Welcome.
I had a look at the lathe mills also and felt they were pretty limited(thats not to say there isnt someone out there turning out great work on one). The way I look at it is you would be able to turn work much larger than you would be able to mill.
Does the Altas come with any tooling? as others have said that adds a lot to your cost if you buy a new lathe. In this price range it would be easy to double the price of the lathe in tooling and measuring gear.
Stuart
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10th October 2011, 11:45 PM #8
Duh to me ;-)
Yeah duh to me .....sorry fellas I got a bit carried away with my love for my Jet lathe and did not notice the post was about a metal lathe ....oops....
Marg.
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11th October 2011, 12:03 AM #9son of a blacksmith
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go the atlas, i know jack sh#t about lathes but anyone can see thats the better deal.400mm between centres ain't much but yuou have to ask yourself what are you going to be turning over 400mm?
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11th October 2011, 01:07 AM #10New Member
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Thanks everyone for all the comments! I ended up buying the atlas lathe, got it for $450 in the end, just got it home turns out to be 500mm between centres.. I'm looking foward to giving it a first turn.
thanks again everyone.
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11th October 2011, 01:23 AM #11Dave J Guest
Good to see you got your new lathe home.
I think it will be a great lathe to get going on, and out of the 3 I think you picked the right one. Good to see you got it down a bit as well, $50 covers the fuel at least.
If you are after tooling and don't know what to get just ask, but a few sticks of HSS (High speed steel) will get you going for around $10 a stick. Again if you want a few links and advice on how to sharpen them just let us know and I am sure we will all help out.
Dave
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11th October 2011, 11:33 AM #12GOLD MEMBER
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Pictures! we demand pictures!
$450 sounds like a bargin to me. Did it come with much in the way of tooling?
Stuart
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18th October 2011, 03:19 PM #13Dave J Guest
I just thought I would throw up a link Jordan's lathe as it's getting sold.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f223/a...00-ono-142421/
Sorry it had to go Jordan, but if anyone is looking for a lathe, it looks like a nice little unit and the price is right.
Dave
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