Getting Started - Lathe Questions

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/cta...emnumber=93212

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=008

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

dakota
 
This is how I got started many years ago. I bought the central machinery mini lathe. Here is what I went thru.
Lathe cost - 375.00
steady rest to support shafts - 125.00
dove tail to extend for shaft work = 125.00
tail stock - 70.00
live concave/pointed centers - 70.00
collet set for shafts - 25.00
workbench self built - 75.00
quick change tool post - 125.00
carbit bits - 17.00 each for good ones
light - 20.00
parts trays to hold needed materials - 25.00
Total so far - 1025.00

So you see , trying to get set up cheaply doesn't always pay off. I did it this way and could have easily purchased a ready to go machine from either Chris Hightower or Unique Products and spent about the same cash. I would recommend doing this. Email or call either of these gentleman and see what they have. Or go to ebay or post here wanting a small , already set up lathe for what you want to do. I think in the long run you will save money , headaches , and aggrivation. These machines are specially designed for this and are really good machines. Even on the secondary market , they are good.
This is just my experience and this is what I would do if I had it to do over again.
Thanx and hope it helps,
Jim Lee
 
J&D CUSTOMS said:
This is how I got started many years ago. I bought the central machinery mini lathe. Here is what I went thru.
Lathe cost - 375.00
steady rest to support shafts - 125.00
dove tail to extend for shaft work = 125.00
tail stock - 70.00
live concave/pointed centers - 70.00
collet set for shafts - 25.00
workbench self built - 75.00
quick change tool post - 125.00
carbit bits - 17.00 each for good ones
light - 20.00
parts trays to hold needed materials - 25.00
Total so far - 1025.00

So you see , trying to get set up cheaply doesn't always pay off. I did it this way and could have easily purchased a ready to go machine from either Chris Hightower or Unique Products and spent about the same cash. I would recommend doing this. Email or call either of these gentleman and see what they have. Or go to ebay or post here wanting a small , already set up lathe for what you want to do. I think in the long run you will save money , headaches , and aggrivation. These machines are specially designed for this and are really good machines. Even on the secondary market , they are good.
This is just my experience and this is what I would do if I had it to do over again.
Thanx and hope it helps,
Jim Lee
Click to expand...

I agree. I'm looking at getting a large lathe or two now, but if I had went that route to start out, I'll bet I still wouldn't have built my first cue.
 
Tony Zinzola said:
I agree. I'm looking at getting a large lathe or two now, but if I had went that route to start out, I'll bet I still wouldn't have built my first cue.
Click to expand...

Those are to small for building cues but for ferrules, polishing and tips they are the nuts. I don't believe 1,025.00 needs to be invested though. A concave live center might come in handy at 30.00. I used the stock 4-way tool post for over 20 years with no problem but did change to a quick change last year but for less than 50.00. A steady of some sort for the back to steady the shaft is needed but I have less than 15.00 in it. Collets are definitly needed but a full set can be made in about a half hour for around 3.00. A bed extension is not needed for shaft work and a light is needed even if some one gives you a CNC machining center. The machine comes with a tailstock and drill chuck.

I come up with less than 500.00 with all that is needed for basic repairs at tournaments,. If you also would like to do wraps then you would need to add an old sewing machine motor and peddle and a short tail stock that can be clamped to the table for holding the end of the butt. This could all be paid for in the first 4 hours on the first day of a half way decent tournament.

Dick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top