Lathe for Tips etc...

A lot of the lower-end cue lathes don't have increments on the feed dial. I see that this one does which puts it a step up on the others. This may be worth the money if you get it bought right.

The drive appears to be a sewing machine motor. Longevity will be dependent on the amount of use & abuse. Replacement mtrs. are usually under $20 on eBay.

The adjustable wooden shaft support may be adequate for a personal repair lathe. I'd upgrade to aluminum.

I don't know that I'd want to do a large tournament with one as my only lathe. Your change-over time would kill you. For just personal use, this may serve you well.
 
Thanks for the input KJ.

Anyone else have an opinion? if so please speak quickly. Otherwise, I am going for it and will report back a critique in a few weeks.
 
Greatblzofire said:
Thanks for the input KJ.

Anyone else have an opinion? if so please speak quickly. Otherwise, I am going for it and will report back a critique in a few weeks.
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Sounds like your mind is made up. Just go for it. If it where me and I was spending that much I would just add a little extra and buy Hightowers smallest package. You would be pleased.

Jim.
 
The auction doesn't end for two more days anyway. There are no bids. The diff btwn. the bid & 'buy it now' would more than pay your shipping. Even if you aren't the winning bid, this guy builds these and so could a lot of other people. The parts are available. Hell, you could build one yourself.

I'm not familiar with the Hightower low-end machine but it may be worth a look-see. Do some research, look at some different machines. See which one offers the best features for the money. You shouldn't rush into a purchase like this. JMO.
 
I would stear clear of that one. Do yourself a favor, save up some money and get a real lathe.
 
Check out Hightower's stuff. A small, basic lathe from him will have the same basic outfit as this but with all metal parts, appropriate collets & customer service.
 
that same guy makes one in the $850-$900 range that looks pretty nice.i actually talked to him on the one and it should be a pretty good machine with 1/2 hp DC motor and Jacobs chuck in the tailstock.he says that he is trying to build a comparable machine to the entry level Uniques and Hightowers with that $900 machine.

i would pass on the $400 machine though.
 
Greatblzofire said:
I have been thinkng about getting a cheap lathe to do my own tips, clean shafts, etc... What about this one? Has anyone used it? What did you think? Price seems right, but i know there is a lot of junk out there.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180293458129

Any advice is appreciated.
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The lathe is sold by AZ member "tsp&b".

Here's another similar thread on the lathe being sold my him.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=109142

I almost pulled the trigger but in the end I decided to go with Unique Cue Companion.
 
Mc2 said:
Sounds like your mind is made up. Just go for it. If it where me and I was spending that much I would just add a little extra and buy Hightowers smallest package. You would be pleased.

Jim.
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He might as well, it looks like a knockoff of a Hightower Lathe anyway!~:)
 
Thanks for everyone's input. I will check out hightower's option as well. He lives about an hour from me. Maybe I can get some hands on help frm him if I buy it there.

As another option, I have a lead on a Porper model A q lathe for a very reasonable price. It is used at a pawn shop. I suppose that would be another option, but I am worried about getting it and it not working properly. Any opinions on the Proper Model A?
 
You can always rebuild the model A or up grade it. I am sure Joe will be more than glad to help.
 
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cuemaker03 said:
You can always rebuild the modle A or up grade it. I am sure Joe will be more than glad to help.
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It would be more trouble and more expensive than what its worth to upgrade. I sold one about 2 yease ago because of this.
 
i'd say save on the home made and go with a mini metal lathe, the micro-mark 7x14 is about the same price and you get a cam locking tailstock and digital readout:
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82710

or for alittle cheaper a than the one you looked at without the camlock, digital readout and acouple less inches between center theres the Cummins 7x12:
http://www.toolsnow.com/browse.cfm/4,876.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/5278-Lathe-Meta...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

the only real main disadvantage on the mini metals is the 20mm through hole, which is about .78", though they say it can be drilled out to like .80" - like .81", either way it is too small to accomidate a .83" - .90" shaft joint or butt for joint work.

or anouther option, talk to Todd, he was tellin me the guy he sold his hightower too was talking about selling....
 
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socks said:
i'd say save on the home made and go with a mini metal lathe, the micro-mark 7x14 is about the same price and you get a cam locking tailstock and digital readout:
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82710

or for alittle cheaper a than the one you looked at without the camlock, digital readout and acouple less inches between center theres the Cummins 7x12:
http://www.toolsnow.com/browse.cfm/4,876.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/5278-Lathe-Meta...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

the only real main disadvantage on the mini metals is the 20mm through hole, which is about .78", though they say it can be drilled out to like .80" - like .81", either way it is too small to accomidate a .83" - .90" shaft joint or butt for joint work.

or anouther option, talk to Todd, he was tellin me the guy he sold his hightower too was talking about selling....
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The mini lathe is fine for tips & ferrules but you'll play hell trying to clean shafts on it. It ain't gonna happen without a bed extension.

I missed the digital readouts but you were just kidding, right?
DROs go for about twice the price of that lathe.
 
I spoke to mr Hightower today about his lathes and things that he makes.
He is very aproachable, considering I was looking to make up something that was not for cuemaking.
I can't even imagine how much more helpfull he would be if I were looking at getting a cuemaking setup.
Tremedously helpful and I fully recomend that you at least email or talk to him about what you are wanting to do.
Neil Lickfold
 
KJ Cues said:
The mini lathe is fine for tips & ferrules but you'll play hell trying to clean shafts on it. It ain't gonna happen without a bed extension.

I missed the digital readouts but you were just kidding, right?
DROs go for about twice the price of that lathe.
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If you scroll down the page, they list the accessories for that lathe, and the DRO for it is $139.20, but they are small units that go in between the hand wheels and the lathe on the cross feed, and the compound slide. Interestingly enough it does read out to .0001 which if it's accurate would be very nice.

*Edit: Link to the DRO: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83039

I agree that this is not the lathe that the gentleman wants, however, because he mentioned saving on the homemade, yet you would have to do something to hold the back end of the shafts doing tip and ferrule work, and then something else as KJ mentioned to hold the end of the shaft past the bed for shaft cleanings.
 
you can find DRO for 12x36 metal lathes for around $600 if you know where to look,so i guess $140 isn't out of line on this machine,but i really don't see why you would want DRO for tips and ferrules.seems like a waste of money.
 
masonh said:
you can find DRO for 12x36 metal lathes for around $600 if you know where to look,so i guess $140 isn't out of line on this machine,but i really don't see why you would want DRO for tips and ferrules.seems like a waste of money.
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This whole thread mystifies me.
The OP said he wanted a CHEAP lathe to do his OWN tips
and shaf cleaning.

Get a $100 wood lathe and a steady-rest.

Dale
 
pdcue said:
This whole thread mystifies me.
The OP said he wanted a CHEAP lathe to do his OWN tips
and shaf cleaning.

Get a $100 wood lathe and a steady-rest.

Dale
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Or use a crutch tip "lathe". It works great for me and the investment is about $10... assuming you have a drill.
 
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