any value in a smaller lathe?

S

Strange_Days

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi,

I'm still setting up my 13X40 lathe and as fate would have it a lathe comes up for sale just a couple blocks over from me and I play poker today and make enough to buy the thing.

My question, although I'm short on specifics the lathe is smaller, probably 24" between centres or close, comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks and tooling. Do you guys find it worthwhile to have a lathe that small and is it worth having as opposed to saving up and buying a second full size lathe when needed.

I don't need the thing now, but it seems like a pretty good deal if I'll make some use of it in the future...


Thanks,

Matt LeClerc
 
Strange_Days said:
Hi,

I'm still setting up my 13X40 lathe and as fate would have it a lathe comes up for sale just a couple blocks over from me and I play poker today and make enough to buy the thing.

My question, although I'm short on specifics the lathe is smaller, probably 24" between centres or close, comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks and tooling. Do you guys find it worthwhile to have a lathe that small and is it worth having as opposed to saving up and buying a second full size lathe when needed.

I don't need the thing now, but it seems like a pretty good deal if I'll make some use of it in the future...


Thanks,

Matt LeClerc
Click to expand...

If you have enough room and you can afford it, then I would buy it. The more lathes you have then the more set-ups you can leave saving much time. I've got 11 lathes.

Dick
 
I agree with Dick

I have only three lathes, well four counting a wood lathe. But I use the one small metal lathe I own, a Southbend 9x24 for doing tips and ferrules. It is nice to leave a lathe undisturbed for doing a repetitive job, so you do not always have to waste time setting up. And I like the small lathe for shaft work.
 
I aggree if the price is good, you can afford It, and store It, then I would get It. The more lathes the better, and 24" betweens centers is'nt too bad. I have one half that size, and still use It all the time for small stuff, and metal work. Wish I had more, so they each did only one task, and could be kept locked down for only that. Constant Tool changes & setup can really slow You down.

Greg
 
any value

No man has too many lathes. Dedicated machinary is the ticket. Set it up once and set it up right, it will pay for it's self in no time.
 
Strange_Days said:
Hi,

I'm still setting up my 13X40 lathe and as fate would have it a lathe comes up for sale just a couple blocks over from me and I play poker today and make enough to buy the thing.

My question, although I'm short on specifics the lathe is smaller, probably 24" between centres or close, comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks and tooling. Do you guys find it worthwhile to have a lathe that small and is it worth having as opposed to saving up and buying a second full size lathe when needed.

I don't need the thing now, but it seems like a pretty good deal if I'll make some use of it in the future...


Thanks,

Matt LeClerc
Click to expand...

If it is a good deal, the answer is an unqualified yes.

As the others have said, more lathes are better, once you have the full sized one up and running, most anything that can spin a cue, or some
part of a cue, can be of use.

Also keep in mind, there will be times when you use your full sized
lathe as a $5,000 C-clamp. WE all do it.

Dale
 
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