Thread: honden lathe

Welcome to the forum Steve.
In regards to your lathe, the Honden lathe was sold under a few different names. One of them was McMillan. I have a McMillan version but I'm not sure of the model number atm. They were also sold under the Lantaine name.
Do a search on this forum for "McMillan lathe" and/or "Lantaine lathe". I'm sure something will turn up.
In regards to the compound slide, It shouldn't be too hard to adapt one of a similar size from a different lathe (if you can get one at a good price) if you can't get an original

regards

bollie7

Hi Steve, I bought a run down Forbes lathe a while back, when I was researching for info, I found mine was a lathe that came out of a Taiwanese factory and rebadged by many different names, I seem to remember Honden being one of them.
Does it look like this one ?

IMG_0680.JPG

If you do a search here on the forum, you will find a bit of info about them.

Here is a link to my rebuild thread,,, https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/fo...ld-wip-136357/

Hi Steve, Welcome.
I looked at buying a "Lam" badged version a while back, they came in 2 sizes, 10x24 and 12x26 or something like that. I did find full drawings for it somewhere on the net....here it is that was too easy to find...www.metalillness.com :: View topic - Lantaine LAM-350BH Lathe Manual Online. Andre "welder" has a Mcmillan too, and i'm sure there is someone else on the forum with one...(other than bollie)

hey guys thanks for replies went and took some pictures today lathe has been in storage for years hence all the dust & grime, located some parts in cabinet, taper turning attatchment & parts of compound slide 3&4 jaw also, this is a big lathe to me must be 1.5 mtrs + in overall length price will be $300- $500 but if cant sort parts may not be worth it, as u might have guessed im not a machinist but have some experience and am wanting a new toy for my retirement, might be better off buying a new one been looking at the al336 , or 960b from hare & forbes but the price scares me, I think refurbishing a machine would be a great learing curve, any more help from photos appreciated steve.

Not sure whether to advise anything here. A tool post is no problem as aftermarket quick change tool posts (QCTP) are readily available and a far better option in my option than a standard 4 way post.
It looks like you have the compound side screw there and so are just missing the slide parts, jib and nut. If you have access to a mill these can all be made and would revive a lathe that is probably worth using. I have seen some people even not worry about a compound and just mount a tool post on the cross slide. More rigid but perhaps not as versatile.
As you say a great learning experience. Whether you should attempt the project really depends on you, your mechanical aptitude and whether you can get some mill time some how (either personally or get a friend to do some for you).
Personally I wouldn't be paying $300 to $400 for it though as it will cost probably that or more to fix up. Maybe half that?

Michael

I'd disagree with Michael re the price. That machine is longer in the bed than mine but looks like a similar centre height.
With the taper turning attachment I reckon it would be worth the money provided its not badly worn.
As has been said you could use it without a compound slide for a while, whilst waiting for one to come up for the right price. I don't think it would be hard to adapt one off a different brand of lathe. Its only held on by two Tee slot bolts.

I can only go by my experience with mine but I think its not a bad machine for what it is. It would be nice if the tailstock (on mine) was a no 3 morse rather than a no 2 though, as I have a lot of drills that have a no 3 morse on them which I can't use (atm). A project I have been thinking about for the future is to try and get a tailstock off something else with a No 3 morse that I can adapt to mine. I don't think there is enough "meat" in the current quil to enlarge it.
regards
bollie7

Well, not quite. But if you can purchase that machine for $300-500, you have got yourself a bargain I reckon . The stand is a bonus , it appears to be a solid stand .

If you go through the Ebay sales, you won't find many lathes under $500, well, very few if any . Even for complete junk heaps , people are asking more than $500 .

And seeing it's local to you ( In Hobart ?) , it is not a hassle to transport it that short distance . H&F would charge you for the freighting of a new lathe across Bass strait .

My 2 bobs worth ..Mike

I would pay $400 for that any day. The cabinet would be nearly worth that.
Though I reckon it wont be too easy getting the parts you will need, but as others have already said, you can get by until you come up with something.

A bit of work refurbishing, and you will have a good machine there.

hi all thanks heaps for your help, will wait on final price & then make a choice of old or new, cheers.

Hi Steve,
Welcome
Just to be different I cant make up my mind how good a buy it is yet.
You'd likely know more about whats around in your area.
Are there any chucks about?
While you can get by without a compound, getting by without a chuck would likely drive you batty in no time. So you'll need to add say $400 for 3 and 4 jaw chucks.

Guessing at a 160mm 3 jaw and a 200mm 4 jaw new from H&F, they would cost you $511+$60 delivery.

Stuart

I Agree with Mike, it is a good buy (but it certainly ain't taking the buy of the year crown ) BUT only if it has chucks, a faceplate and everything works. It should be a better lathe than the lower end H&F models, and are common enough that getting dimensions etc for making a new slide will be easy. The one i looked at was in good nick with 2 chucks and cutting tools, it went for $1800, and a Mcmillan just sold on ebay for $1800.
Have a look around, but i would guess the range on your side of the strait would be limited. Good luck!

Bollie, have a think about getting one of these for your lathe -
MT3 to MT2 Morse Taper Adapter Drill Sleeve No. 3 to No. 2 | eBay

Yes, I know I'm being mean on price but a few hundred each for a 3 jaw, 4 jaw and tool post and it adds up. I had a lot of trouble selling my old lathe for $1500 and that had 3 jaw, 4 jaw, face plate, QCTP with 8 holders and stand. While lots of things are listed on ebay, sellers usually want more for things than they are worth (excluding present company of course) and buyers want to pay less. If that lathe were listed on ebay for say $400 it might sell, but there would also be a lot of people who would look at it and decide that they could get something more complete for a lot less than it would take to bring that one up to good condition. That's not to say that it wouldn't make a good project or that it couldn't be used without a compound.

My 2c

Michael

I Would buy It for $400 any day

It is the Bigger version of my lathe I paid $1600 for it.

HI,

I'm on the yea side. I think you side you found some chucks to go with it, if you can find the steadies it would be a pretty good buy even the way its is.

Ben.