Question for all you lathe and mill experts!

[TripleThreat]

I am looking at buying a lathe or a combo lathe/mill machine. I would like something in the range of 9" x 20" for the lathe. Where would you guys recommend I look for a quality and cost effective unit? I have seen units at Harbor Freight, are they any good? I would like a unit that has accessories are available. In other words I don't want to buy a unit that parts were discontinued back in the 50's. Any help you guys could provide would be appreciated. Thanks!
[ January 24, 2003, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: TripleThreat ]

[superdave013]

Ah, just starting out with your first machine.
I would stay away from the all in one combo machines.
And I would stay away from Harbor Freight too.
I have an import lathe and mill. Mine are both ACRA brands. I really like the mill and the lathe is so so. The mill has a 9x49 table and the lathe is a 13x42.
One thing to keep in mind is that the China ones are the bottom of the heap. The ones made in Taiwane are much better.
I also have an Enco mill/drill and for what it is it's not bad. It's the one with the 4" collum and you can do much more with it then you could with comb mill/lathes.
[ January 24, 2003, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: superdave013 ]

[challengerjet]

finally something that I know something about. Bottom line, what's your budget, that determines what kind of machine you'll end up with. Do you want manual, dro with powerfeeds, cnc? Acra makes a good machine but let me tell you, there are some really good deals out there right now, machinery sales biz is in the crapper.
cjet

[Bow Tie Omega]

Hey Triple Threat. Contact V-drive, he can answer any questions you have about this stuff. He has been a Machinist for 35 years. Make sure you let him know what you are looking to accomplish with purchasing a piece of equipment. He will not steer you wrong. And DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM HARBOR FREIGHT........ANYTHING. You get what you pay for, especially with tools and machinery.

[superdave013]

challengerjet:
finally something that I know something about. Bottom line, what's your budget, that determines what kind of machine you'll end up with. Do you want manual, dro with powerfeeds, cnc? Acra makes a good machine but let me tell you, there are some really good deals out there right now, machinery sales biz is in the crapper.
cjet LOL, I guess you would know!
If your slow let's do a ride sometime. I don't care where. Whitting's ok with me.

[challengerjet]

unfortunately one of the few things i know about is machine tools. couldn't run one if i had to but do know where to find a deal on one.
i'm up for a ride. you're gonna have to wait on my fat ass to get up the hill. I have to carry up an O2 bottle with me. what are your days like. I could go any day next week. let me know.
cjet

[superdave013]

challengerjet:
unfortunately one of the few things i know about is machine tools. couldn't run one if i had to but do know where to find a deal on one.
i'm up for a ride. you're gonna have to wait on my fat ass to get up the hill. I have to carry up an O2 bottle with me. what are your days like. I could go any day next week. let me know.
cjet I get off work at 3:00 but that still gives time for a quick loop around Whitting. Or you could scope out the Oaks. That's my main stomping grounds. Don't worry about going up. I'm a downhiller so climbings not my thing for sure.
You know, I might just go for a ride after work today. If your up for it give me a ring a 174 814 2503.

[spectras only]

I have an older Hercus [australian] 9" lathe.One thing about some manufacturers; the ones they have their own foundaries are the best because of quality control.When I got my lathe in the 60's ,the manual mentioned that ,the materials were naturally aged by sitting in their yard for 5 years before being machined.I know they doing it now electronically .I'm old school and like some things done the old fashioned way.I wouldn't by a chineese or one from taiwan. Had a siemens milling machine ,that I've sold.I have milling attachment for my lathe for small stuff only.
[ January 24, 2003, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: spectras only ]

[SchellSchock]

Buy a lathe with a conversational CNC control, ie: Prototrak or similar. That way you can use it as a conventional while learning and then do trick stuff like tapers, male female spherical radii and such.
Just for background: Been in the "trade" since 1969, machinist, tool maker, manufacturing engineer, engineering manager, general manager, and shop owner.

[TripleThreat]

I have limited... correction... VERY limited knowledge of lathes and mills. My current vision of what I would like is this:
1. Diameter: at least 7 inches (preferably 9”)
2. Between centers: at least 14 inches (preferably 20”)
3. Automatic feeding and thread cutting
4. Not a crappy unit
5. Under $700 (possible?)
I don’t think I want to pick up one with CNC control (ChaChing!) until I am a little more experienced. At that time I will upgrade to a bigger and better unit.
Right now all I am looking to use this for is creating paint ball gun barrels, RC Car parts, and anything else my imagination comes up with. Anybody know of a good website for quality used machines?
I have been looking at this one. What do you think?
http://www.dxmarket.com/micromark/products/82710.html
Thanks for all the input.

[Fiat48]

I am not a machinest by a long shot, but I have been through a little of what you are searching for. I've had a little mill and little lathe and also considered a combination type machine.
My advise to you in don't even consider a little combo machine like the one you are looking at.
Consider that when you a buy a mill or a lathe that is decently sized and will do more than just "make carrot's". Buy a full sized mill. You'll probably have to spend $2000 or better for a used one. But it will be worth that or more should you find that you want to graduate to a bigger mill. I bought a Tree mill fully tooled for $2000. I sold the "Harbor Freight" mill for $400 only loosing 1/2 my investment.
For a lathe, I had an old Southbend military model. Seemed it was always limited as to what I wanted to do with it. So, I bought an old 8 foot flat belt lathe for $800 also fully tooled. Either of these machines will bring that money back very quickly should I decide to upgrade.
Tooling is expensive. My advise to you would be to go to several machine auctions. Watch what others pay for a used mill or lathe. That'll show you what the used market is. And don't let a machine that is 3 phase stop you from buying. Phase converters work fine for occasional use and are inexpensive.

[Rexone]

Check out Reliable Tool in Irwindale. I've seen some quality used machines go through there pretty reasonable. They also run alot of stuff on ebay too. Worth lookin.
I picked up a nice Tree mill for under 2k a few years ago too from a CNC shop. They're out there, just got to be patient. Many times CNC shops too have older "good" cranker machines they sell off, particularly when things are slow.

[v-drive]

Triplethreat, My boss has an old enco lathe,9x36,Dro,3 jaw,and 5 c collet closer.
Acra mill,9x49,DRO,power feed,and a Kurt vise.
I used to have them in our shop but we got successful and retired them to his garage. The lathe is so so but the old mill is excellent.
Like SuperDave I now have all Acra Machines and Mitsubishi cnc wire and sinker edm.
:cool: V-drive

[superdave013]

TripleThreat:
1. Diameter: at least 7 inches (preferably 9”)
2. Between centers: at least 14 inches (preferably 20”)
3. Automatic feeding and thread cutting
4. Not a crappy unit
5. Under $700 (possible?)
Thanks for all the input. I had an old Soutbend 10K lathe that I got for under 700 bones. It was all tooled up too. Had 3, 4 jaw chucks, collet closer and taper attachment. Even had a KDK tool holder (I kept that). That old lathe was pretty nice. I liked it better them my ACRA but I needed something a little bigger.
I would look for something like that.
Look in the sunday paper and watch e-bay for some used machines.

[Heatseeker]

I don't have the expeience some of these guys have(15 years) but they're giving you good advice. Follow it and you can't go wrong.
One thing to consider with a three phase unit: they don't give those converter boxes away. They can be a hassle too. I ran one on a 2 HP Quincy 25 compressor for a while. It kept burning start cards out. I finally thought I had it dialed when it burned another one. I scored a big single phaser for it soon after. Still got the box, it needs a start card... frown