9x30 metal lathe

[namtab]

Hello All,

I have access to a 9x30 metal lathe for about $1100 brand new. The distance between centers (dbc) is exactly 30" inches. I think the dimensions of a butt / shaft is about 29 1/x. I recall reading somewhere that a 34" or 36" dbc is desirable. I would like to to use this lathe as it is the cheapest I've seen out there. Is it possible to use this for cue making?

Namtab

[cuesmith]

Hello All,

I have access to a 9x30 metal lathe for about $1100 brand new. The distance between centers (dbc) is exactly 30" inches. I think the dimensions of a butt / shaft is about 29 1/x. I recall reading somewhere that a 34" or 36" dbc is desirable. I would like to to use this lathe as it is the cheapest I've seen out there. Is it possible to use this for cue making?

Namtab


How big is the spindle bore? (Hole through the headstock) Usually on smaller lathes like this the spindle bore is too small.


Sherm

[Kelly_Guy]

You will most assuredly get more qualified responses from the cuemakers here, but the distance between centers really needs to be 34" or more if you are going to do shaft work. The carriage travel for a lathe is less than the distance between centers, and even with 34" between centers, the carriage travel might be only 30", and be cutting it close. I think you would find it is just not quite long enough for shaft work. The spindle bore should be at least 1 3/8 also, so you should check that out as well.
Kelly


Hello All,

I have access to a 9x30 metal lathe for about $1100 brand new. The distance between centers (dbc) is exactly 30" inches. I think the dimensions of a butt / shaft is about 29 1/x. I recall reading somewhere that a 34" or 36" dbc is desirable. I would like to to use this lathe as it is the cheapest I've seen out there. Is it possible to use this for cue making?

Namtab

[namtab]

Hello,

The carriage travel is 25" and the spindle bore is 3/4 so I guess, that rules this machine out? I take is the spindle bore is a hole through the headstock?

Namtab


You will most assuredly get more qualified responses from the cuemakers here, but the distance between centers really needs to be 34" or more if you are going to do shaft work. The carriage travel for a lathe is less than the distance between centers, and even with 34" between centers, the carriage travel might be only 30", and be cutting it close. I think you would find it is just not quite long enough for shaft work. The spindle bore should be at least 1 3/8 also, so you should check that out as well.
Kelly

[sliprock]

I take is the spindle bore is a hole through the headstock?

Namtab

Yep, That's the hole. Should be 1.375 inches.

[namtab]

I apologize but does the 1.375 dia hole allow you to pass the whole butt/shaft through the headstock for some other type of work? (outside of turning/tapering). Maybe for joint work? I have seen the Deluxe Cue Smith and the headstock allows you to insert the shaft/butt from the front and tighten the chuck. Are we talking about the same thing with metal lathes? TIA All!

Yep, That's the hole. Should be 1.375 inches.

[shakes]

I apologize but does the 1.375 dia hole allow you to pass the whole butt/shaft through the headstock for some other type of work? (outside of turning/tapering). Maybe for joint work? I have seen the Deluxe Cue Smith and the headstock allows you to insert the shaft/butt from the front and tighten the chuck. Are we talking about the same thing with metal lathes? TIA All!

Yep, and allows a little room for a collet so you don't "bruise" the cue you are working on. Just in case you have to do a repair on a butt cap, or when you are drilling/boring/tapping the hole for your rubber bumper.

[lignum]

thats what I use , best thing about a metal lathe is the other work it can do prepared to a cue lathe . worse thing is it's not setup to start with for cues , you have to do that yourself , worth it if your prepared to do the extra work ! ;)