What Does It Take To Make A Taig Useable?

headmuses

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok, the craftmasnship of the Taig basic metal lathe looks good. But what do I need to do, purchase and modify this to make it a good repair lathe? What I want to do is basic tips, ferrules, shaft cleaning. what's it going to cost me to set up a basic metal lathe Taig? Or....should I just get a repair lathe from someone? Give me the advice my good friends at AZ.

Thanks in advance. :cool:


Headmuses
 
Ok, the craftmasnship of the Taig basic metal lathe looks good. But what do I need to do, purchase and modify this to make it a good repair lathe? What I want to do is basic tips, ferrules, shaft cleaning. what's it going to cost me to set up a basic metal lathe Taig? Or....should I just get a repair lathe from someone? Give me the advice my good friends at AZ.

Thanks in advance. :cool:


Headmuses
I have when down this road before. Just p.m Todd aka Tsp&b and get the repaire lathe with the 4 foot bed. Imo the best way to go.
 
K-1019 kit w/.590 headstock (headstock bed and carriage) 160.00
1060 chuck 65.00 ,1150 t/stock w/1093 drill chuck 55.00.extra steel bed 65.00. Penn State motor and controller 100.00.Then you have to make brackets for the motor.Make or buy pulleys.tooling,concave live center

I made a couple of different ones that I posted here.Add up the parts and see which way you want to go
 
lowbudget2010.jpg


tiplathe008.jpg
 
Ok, the craftmasnship of the Taig basic metal lathe looks good. But what do I need to do, purchase and modify this to make it a good repair lathe? What I want to do is basic tips, ferrules, shaft cleaning. what's it going to cost me to set up a basic metal lathe Taig? Or....should I just get a repair lathe from someone? Give me the advice my good friends at AZ.

Thanks in advance. :cool:


Headmuses
I would suggest one thing to you. Don't buy the stock Headstock from Taig (bore too small). Get one from Bassel or Hightower. You'll pay more money for it but you'll find the large bore size much more useful and probably sooner than later.

I would also suggest you get one of their models that are made for 2 chucks. You probably only need one to start but you won't regret it later on when you decide you need 2 and only have to buy another chuck for $100 instead of a whole new Headstock. They also sell them already setup with a motor. All you have to do is put it on the bed and flip the switch. The little extra they charge is well worth not having the pain of finding the components, getting them shipped, making motor mounts, assembling, soldering, etc...
 
I would suggest one thing to you. Don't buy the stock Headstock from Taig (bore too small). Get one from Bassel or Hightower. You'll pay more money for it but you'll find the large bore size much more useful and probably sooner than later.

I would also suggest you get one of their models that are made for 2 chucks. You probably only need one to start but you won't regret it later on when you decide you need 2 and only have to buy another chuck for $100 instead of a whole new Headstock. They also sell them already setup with a motor. All you have to do is put it on the bed and flip the switch. The little extra they charge is well worth not having the pain of finding the components, getting them shipped, making motor mounts, assembling, soldering, etc...

Bryan is right
I just sold a set up just like that, here are couple of pictures to give you some options.
2' extension with 1 steady rest and 2 collets plus a concave live center for cleaning $190 shipped
3' extension with 2 steady rests ( for house cues) plus concave live center
$290 shipped

42b83192-b338-e2c2.jpg


Big bore headstock $450
42b83192-b7fa-05be.jpg

With 1/3 hp dc variable speed motor $599
Regards
Bassel
Customcuelathes@yahoo.com
248-884-4478
 
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K-1019 kit w/.590 headstock (headstock bed and carriage) 160.00
1060 chuck 65.00 ,1150 t/stock w/1093 drill chuck 55.00.extra steel bed 65.00. Penn State motor and controller 100.00.Then you have to make brackets for the motor.Make or buy pulleys.tooling,concave live center

Don't forget to specify HI100-00 as the headstock and HI1166 for the pulley for that bore as part of 1161 or 1162 pulley sets depending on the shaft size of your motor. You can use the mill motor mount on your headstock if you reverse the spindle in the headstock extrusion. They are part #s 200-50 for the mounting plate and 200-51 for the mounting post. The Penn State motor will require that you drill 3 new mounting holes and none of Taig's available pulleys fit the metric shaft although I did use the standard headstock pulley with some .010 shim stock with acceptable results in the past. Or you could just use 200-55 Taig's Spindle Motor (1/5 hp, 1750 rpm) which will mount easily and use the standard pulley. 200-48 is a small piece of extrusion that matches the dovetail and with proper alignment to the bed can be used to hold a steady rest. You will also need belt 1159 if using the mill type motor mount, at least one 1170 toolpost, and tool bits ordered as 1095 for the set or 1097A-F for individual bits.

I would just buy a cue lathe though...
 
another simple solution

call hightower, get the size lathe needed to do what you want to do to start, receive the package, plug it in and go to work. when you decide to up grade call hightower and get the pieces you need. i found out 40 years ago when i started in the jewelry business, to build a quality product, you need quality equipment.

chuck starkey
 
As Jaydog said get in contact with Todd. Also i would get the upgrade head stock with out a doubt from him. His customer service is AAA+
 
call hightower, get the size lathe needed to do what you want to do to start, receive the package, plug it in and go to work. when you decide to up grade call hightower and get the pieces you need. i found out 40 years ago when i started in the jewelry business, to build a quality product, you need quality equipment.

chuck starkey

Not bad advice there, but like chuck said you can build one yourself alot cheaper than you can buy from from alot of other people.

Take notes from chucks pics, its alot of fun to build a machine also.

If you do decide to go with a complete package from someone i would suggest TSP or hightower, you never hear a bad thing about them.:thumbup:
 
Thanks for a lot of useful and great advice. I will have to sit down, think about what I want to do then move on it. There is the fun of building a machine by yourself, but also there is the convenience of working on a machine that someone has already done the R&D and worked out all the bugs. Plug and play has a lot of benefits as well as having support when I need to ask how and why. Again I appreciate all the responses.

Regards

Headmuses.
 
tiplathe005.jpg


For the people who pmed me about the steady rest

Modified linear bearing from 8020
Coupling nut
Bearing
Slice of pipe drilled and tapped for 3 set screws
Rubber crutch tip cut to fit

lowbudget2011.jpg

Linear bearings pre-modified
 
lowbudget2003.jpg


Motor and controller brackets made from 4 1/2inch angle aluminum 12.00 ft

Penn State reverse switch about 20.00 in parts
 
Chuck, would you please expound on the reverse switch? I was planning on putting mine in the speed box, but fear it will void the much needed warranty. Thanks,
Scott
 
I admit I've never dealt with the other guys, but I've never had anything even remotely negative to say about my dealings with Chris Hightower.
 
Ive dealt with several guys on here and Chris Hightower and Todd Shultz are good people. If you buy from someone else, like I did, you are gambling. Your lathe might run fine, or it might have issues and no customer support. Go with the known names, i wish i would have.

Joe
 
call hightower, get the size lathe needed to do what you want to do to start, receive the package, plug it in and go to work. when you decide to up grade call hightower and get the pieces you need. i found out 40 years ago when i started in the jewelry business, to build a quality product, you need quality equipment.

chuck starkey

Yes..... do it...... You can build your own but it won't match a Hightower.

I may cost a little more but it is worth every cent........ I bought the deluxe and I haven't found anything it can't do ....

Kim
 
I think making your own machine to save money is the wrong attitude.
The time you spend making it is time you are not making repairs, assuming you know how to make the repairs.
But making a lathe to learn how it works, and making it to fit your needs is a great thing to do. If anything is not correct, you will know how to adjust it and make it correct.
There is alot of rewards for making your own machine.
Neil
 
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