Getting Started - Lathe help needed

dakota

dakota

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I would like to buy a small inexpensive lathe to do tips and shaft work in my area. I would like build cues some day, but for now I think I have decided to start with an inexpensive lathe for just tips and shaft work. I am considering buying a mini metal lathe from harbor freight or possibly this other lathe that I have seen offered on AZ billiards and on Ebay. I'm wondering if anyone can give me opinions and tell me some pro's and con's. I have worked with lathes from Unique products and with a Porper Lathe, so I have a little experience doing shafts and tips, but the mini metal lathe would be new to me. If I do the mini metal lathe, what type of mod would I need to make to support the shaft and is there a way to still do shaft cleaning versus just tips?

Here are the couple options that I am considering. Please give me your thoughts and if you think I'm making a big mistake and should just save up for a hightower lathe, then please let me know that as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93212

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180225232329&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=008

Thank you for any feedback or advice, it is greatly appreciated and needed.

dakota
 
the one off ebay isn't built very well but will do the job i guess i have a hightower mid size lathe and it is EXCELLANT
 
I started with the same small machinest lathe then a good wood lathe then a used porper, now I have 5 lathes and 2 panto gragh's a mill and didicated tapering machine,still I mostly do repair work only. I have built a dozen cues but nothing special.

Do a search you will need some teflon collets made to protect the wood your working on. You can get some premade from Chris Hightower or some plastic ones from Joe porper.

Best of luck
 
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