WTB Starter Lathe

Trent · **WTB Starter Lathe -** 10-16-2009, 11:01 AM

ok i would like to find a lathe that i can do some starter/beginner cue work on such as ferrells, joints, pins, but caps, wraps, maybe taper a shaft. i would have to say that after some practice my goal would be to turn some house cues i have into nice 2 piece cues, and maybe build a couple cues from blanks nothing extravigant mainly just repair.

what lathes should i look into buying and does anyone have a setup they would like to sell??

thanks in advance!

63Kcode · 10-16-2009, 11:20 AM

This is an addiction. Once you convert afew cues you will want to make some from other peoples blanks then you will want to make your own blanks. I have it real bad! I am going outside to plant some maple and purple heart trees. I lay awake at night wondering how many tips and wraps I can get out of the neighbors cows. It will never end never!

Larry

Bill the Cat · **Hightower lathers -** 10-16-2009, 11:24 AM

I don't think you can beat Chris's lathes.

http://www.cuesmith.com/index.php?page=cue_lathes

Then it's only a matter of deciding which one to buy. From what you've described, I'd recommend the Mid-Size. I purchased one back in early 2005 and I can't be happier. It will perform all the work you mentioned with the exception of tapering shafts. Until you upgrade to a machine with taper bars for shaft tapering, you can purchase finsh cut shaft blanks.

If it turns out that you want to progress to full blown cue building, you can move up to the Deluxe or get a full size metal lathe and modify it for cue building. Either way, the Mid-Size will still have a place in any shop.

If (like me) you don't have the room (or the money) for a second lathe, you can (like I did) modify the Mid-Size to add tapering capability and make it a full cue building lathe.

One other thing. If you do opt for the Mid-Size and can swing the extra expense, get the larger spindle bore option. I didn't and I've always wished I would have.

Trent · 10-16-2009, 11:38 AM

thanks i appreciate it. id love to find someone who has one of these used forsale so i could save a few dollars to use on materials.

Trent · 10-16-2009, 11:46 AM

well i gotta get outta here (work)

ill be back on monday, to answer any PM's and tthis post.

Bill the Cat · **Nice thought, but..... -** 10-16-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trent

thanks i appreciate it. id love to find someone who has one of these used forsale so i could save a few dollars to use on materials.

You might get lucky and find a used one at a good price, but you don't see them that often. If you're content to wait, that's fine. More likely, you'll wait a long time and not save that much. Chris's lathes seem to hold their value (If they're taken care of).

I'd recommend that you just "bite the bullet" and get one new from Chris.

JoeyInCali · 10-16-2009, 02:24 PM

http://www.machinetools4sale.com/sho...asp?itemid=852
That'd be a good start.

JimBob · **Lathe -** 10-16-2009, 06:27 PM

Hi Trent, check this out, http://cgi.ebay.com/cue-repair-lathe...item335699460c

Tommy-D · **WTB Starter Lathe -** 10-17-2009, 06:48 AM

> Joey,that link you posted shows a Sharp 1340 lathe. They bought 2 very similar to these at the machine shop school I graduated from,and they are nice machines,esp with a Newall DRO.

The only thing I have against them is the chucks on the ones we had at school are the larger,heavier D1-6 camlock,rather than the D1-4,making a high quality chuck more expensive but also capable of generating enough torque to seriously hurt something like wood even with a collet if overtightened.

The ones shown on that site were mostly the D1-4,and also had the serious advantage of digital speed display as well as infinite speed variation.

We also had a slight problem on the ones at the school with the half-nut lever not wanting to re-engage in the same place all the time while threading. I ruined a couple parts for class as a result of it not tracking right,so what I started doing,and taught others to do,is stop the spindle with the foot brake,back the tool out clear of the part,and reverse spindle without disengaging the half-nut. It never failed me after that.

Those machines are a fine choice. Tommy D.

Palmetto cue · 10-17-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63Kcode

This is an addiction. Once you convert afew cues you will want to make some from other peoples blanks then you will want to make your own blanks. I have it real bad! I am going outside to plant some maple and purple heart trees. I lay awake at night wondering how many tips and wraps I can get out of the neighbors cows. It will never end never!

Larry

You are too much! The part about your nieghbors cows is pricless.

conetip · 10-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy-D

>
We also had a slight problem on the ones at the school with the half-nut lever not wanting to re-engage in the same place all the time while threading. I ruined a couple parts for class as a result of it not tracking right,so what I started doing,and taught others to do,is stop the spindle with the foot brake,back the tool out clear of the part,and reverse spindle without disengaging the half-nut. It never failed me after that.

Those machines are a fine choice. Tommy D.

You must not of had a thread dial on the leadscrew, or else you were cutting a thread pitch which did not match the leadscrew.
Hardinge lathes do not have this problem.
Neil

Tommy-D · **WTB Starter Lathe -** 10-17-2009, 06:49 PM

> Actually they do have a threading dial,but instead of having several different marks that you can catch and pick up the thread,you had to pick the same marking all the time or risk having it start cutting in between the grooves you already established,kind of like an unintentional multiple-lead.

Other than that,and the chuck being bigger and bulkier than needed,a fine machine. Tommy D.

Busbee Cue · 10-17-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trent

ok i would like to find a lathe that i can do some starter/beginner cue work on such as ferrells, joints, pins, but caps, wraps, maybe taper a shaft. i would have to say that after some practice my goal would be to turn some house cues i have into nice 2 piece cues, and maybe build a couple cues from blanks nothing extravigant mainly just repair.

what lathes should i look into buying and does anyone have a setup they would like to sell??

thanks in advance!

I would bite the bullet and spring for the Hightower Deluxe with Taper Bars. This is what you will end up with in the long run if the bug bites you.

I bought the smaller repair lathe with bed extension and got lucky and sold it for almost what I paid for it. Then bought the Deluxe and have been very happy with it.

FLYINGSNAIL · **this may help -** 10-17-2009, 09:57 PM

Please check your pm.

cyrex · **Lathe -** 10-17-2009, 10:13 PM

My friend is selling a used Hightower Mid-Size lathe. Due to work and a new baby he just doesn't have to the time for it. I believe he is asking $1300 with a ton of extra stuff for it. If you're interested, PM me and I will get pics and find out what all is included for you.