I am in the market for a metal lathe

J

jocnat

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi,
I am in the market for a metal lathe to build pool cues. I have concluded from reading posts on this forum that it should have 1.5 spindle size and 40” between centers. What other features are mandatory and what features do you recommend? What do think of a combo milling and lathe such as a smithy etc.I am trying to keep the price under $4000. I also am not interested in a taig based lathe as I already have one. Also if any body in southeastern Pennsylvania has something for sale please Pm me. I am ready to pull the trigger
Thanks…..Jock
 
jocnat said:
Hi,
I am in the market for a metal lathe to build pool cues. I have concluded from reading posts on this forum that it should have 1.5 spindle size and 40” between centers. What other features are mandatory and what features do you recommend? What do think of a combo milling and lathe such as a smithy etc.I am trying to keep the price under $4000. I also am not interested in a taig based lathe as I already have one. Also if any body in southeastern Pennsylvania has something for sale please Pm me. I am ready to pull the trigger
Thanks…..Jock
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dont take this the wrong way, but i would disagree that you are ready to pull the trigger. I pulled the trigger at the stage you were in now and blew some money, When you have done the research, you will be positive as to what you want and need, at that point you will probably have saved alot more than 4k, and you may only have to spend half of it to get you what you need. jmho, please take it for what its worth, i wish there was someone around to slap me when i was at the point your at.
 
LGSM3 said:
dont take this the wrong way, but i would disagree that you are ready to pull the trigger. I pulled the trigger at the stage you were in now and blew some money, When you have done the research, you will be positive as to what you want and need, at that point you will probably have saved alot more than 4k, and you may only have to spend half of it to get you what you need. jmho, please take it for what its worth, i wish there was someone around to slap me when i was at the point your at.
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You and me both. I put this thread up some time ago. Worth a read IMO.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=245486&highlight=machinery
 
Craigslist will be your best friend. Get a beefy taper bar from Deco Cue and you can pick up a couple of lathes for cheap on CraigsList. One lathe for tapering and another one for joint work, facing, etc, etc. The lathe for tapering can be something cheap 12x36 or 13x40. Stay away from Craftsman, Atlas and Sears lathes since the ways are flat.
 
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Not to much here in PA on Craigslist. Grizzly is about 30 min from my house call me 570 847 7768. Single phase is a good thing. Converters are not cheap.
 
Yes, thanks for the repost. Was a good read. I have been looking for a good deal on craigslist too. Problem is getting it home for me. I always talk myself out of making offers just for this reason. Perhaps when I get my shop done I will be more inclined
 
I am also just about to pick up a new metal lathe.
I'm looking at a king Canada 14 x 40
 
JoeyInCali said:
If it's new and made in China, I'd do more research.
I'd rather find a used Taiwan variety.
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Not much in the way of used equipment here :(
The only other stuff I've seen locally is busy bee....
I kinda liked the way the king looks, I'm sure it is an import as brand new its less than 5k

I was thinking of getting a smaller lathe, just for coring basically..but then I thought for the extra k I may as well go bigger :)

I'm fairly sure that as my building progresses I will not be upset o have a bigger mchine.

This is the lathe I'm thinking of....anything pop out that I should be aware of?
http://www.kingcanada.com/Products.htm?CD=116&ID=12037
 
cuejo said:
Not much in the way of used equipment here :(
The only other stuff I've seen locally is busy bee....
I kinda liked the way the king looks, I'm sure it is an import as brand new its less than 5k

I was thinking of getting a smaller lathe, just for coring basically..but then I thought for the extra k I may as well go bigger :)

I'm fairly sure that as my building progresses I will not be upset o have a bigger mchine.

This is the lathe I'm thinking of....anything pop out that I should be aware of?
http://www.kingcanada.com/Products.htm?CD=116&ID=12037
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Most of these lathes are made from the same factory in China.
They are infamous for electrical problems and half-nut breaking too fast.
I'd call around to check their reliability.
The machine and the dealer.
 
cuejo said:
Not much in the way of used equipment here :(
The only other stuff I've seen locally is busy bee....
I kinda liked the way the king looks, I'm sure it is an import as brand new its less than 5k

I was thinking of getting a smaller lathe, just for coring basically..but then I thought for the extra k I may as well go bigger :)

I'm fairly sure that as my building progresses I will not be upset o have a bigger mchine.

This is the lathe I'm thinking of....anything pop out that I should be aware of?
http://www.kingcanada.com/Products.htm?CD=116&ID=12037
Click to expand...

If you are gonna spend that much on a lathe, you can buy a used south bend or logan from ebay and have it delivered and save yourself some cash. Those old lathes were built to last and will keep going and going and going. Also, there are an abundance of parts available for south bend lathes, so if something should break, it shouldn't be hard to find.

Joe
 
breakin8 said:
Not to much here in PA on Craigslist. Grizzly is about 30 min from my house call me 570 847 7768. Single phase is a good thing. Converters are not cheap.
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I'm running 3 phase for about 200.00 bucks with a VFD. Furthermore, 3 phase is better in every aspect.
 
I think everyone knows how much tooling costs and how much time you spend getting everything set up right. Art Cantando's lathe is already set up for turning shafts and it comes with the taper bar already pre set. The price for just the lathe would be high, but once you add in the cost of the taper bar and how long it would take to set up properly I think you will realize it's will be well worth it. Not too many opportunities like this to get the shaft lathe from a very well respected cuemaker. Everyone involved in selling this is not making a penny. It's all going to Art Cantando's wife.
 
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snipershot said:
If you are gonna spend that much on a lathe, you can buy a used south bend or logan from ebay and have it delivered and save yourself some cash. Those old lathes were built to last and will keep going and going and going. Also, there are an abundance of parts available for south bend lathes, so if something should break, it shouldn't be hard to find.

Joe
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A day or two ago there was a completely redone south bend in Shreveport for $2500. Don't remember the size, but the seller said restoring and reselling was his hobby
 
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I went and paid for the king lathe today, now I just have to think of a way to get it into my garage :)
 
pescadoman said:
You and me both. I put this thread up some time ago. Worth a read IMO.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=245486&highlight=machinery
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That is a good writeup Randy. I remember reading that when you posted it.

I would add to learn about lathes. How they work, how they are made and how they are repaired/maintained. Know the parts and their function. Know how to tell if the bed/ways and spindle bearings are worn. Know how to tell if the saddle and cross slide are sloppy. Learn how to test and check as much as possible. If its an oddball manufacturer than make sure parts are still available. Think about features you'd like. DROs are a great addition.

When you look at it make sure everything works. Run the spindle the entire time.... even when your just BSing or working a deal. If it has a coolant pump, mister or air blower run them the entire time as well. Check for overheating. I would also suggest taking some chunks of steel and turn and face them.... but don't just skim .005 off, take some heavy cuts as well.

If you need more info checkout some of the Machinist websites. I am sure you'll find more than enough to help.

Oh, if you run across something good around Baltimore please let me know :)
 
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