Lathe wanted

Soulcoma

Soulcoma

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Looking for a fairly cheap lathe just so I can retip my own shafts so I can experiment with different tips without the long waits and hassle of having it done for me.

Bonus would be one I could use to do wraps as well. As I’d like to try out some different wrap materials. And well also cuz I get bored and like to change the look up.

Suggestions please.
 
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Unfortunately cheap and cue making equipment never go together. There are a variety of haphazard rigs (drill attachments, etc) that I’ve have see people use to change tips. And of course many do it without a lathe with just a razor blade. But I recommend starting with Chris’s book and his machines:

www.cuesmith.com

Cue Man Billiard Products - Cue Man Billiard Products

Welcome to Cue Man Billiard Products and our brand new site with online ordering! Established in 1988, we are the manufacturer of the precision Cue Smith Lathes and Inlay Machines, and supplier of cue lathe accessories, leather wrap material, and many other cue building products, as well as...
www.cuesmith.com www.cuesmith.com

And mid America

Mid-America Cue Lathes – Built for Cue Repair & Cue Building

Explore our full line of Mid-America cue lathes built for cue repair and cue building. Choose from basic to professional large bore models — Made in the USA with high-quality American components.
cuemakersupply.com cuemakersupply.com
 
Bought a Mid America basic repair lathe first to do just that. I'm the type of guy that likes to do my own thing, and there was nothing local available. Great lathe for its purpose. But then as usually happens, I wanted to do more, and without a big bore headstock the basic repair lathe was limited so I purchased their professional version one. Back when i bought my Basic Repair lathe they were cheaper, think I paid 700 something, when upgrading I had many offers to buy it, ended up selling it to a friend for $500 even though I had better offers from others, as he was a friend and I didn't have to ship it. Cost justifiable for what I use it for, probably not, but priceless in the enjoyment I get from it.
 
muskyed said:
Bought a Mid America basic repair lathe first to do just that. I'm the type of guy that likes to do my own thing, and there was nothing local available. Great lathe for its purpose. But then as usually happens, I wanted to do more, and without a big bore headstock the basic repair lathe was limited so I purchased their professional version one. Back when i bought my Basic Repair lathe they were cheaper, think I paid 700 something, when upgrading I had many offers to buy it, ended up selling it to a friend for $500 even though I had better offers from others, as he was a friend and I didn't have to ship it. Cost justifiable for what I use it for, probably not, but priceless in the enjoyment I get from it.
Click to expand...
Why didnt you just buy a larger headstock
 
muskyed said:
The motor was too small
Click to expand...
The motor on the basic got a huge upgrade late last year. We changed it from the little ac 280 watt version to a much better 550 watt dc motor with a speed control that has a lot better range in variability. It also now uses the same belt - bracket - and pulley system as the pro version so no more stretched and broken o-ring belts
 
Just curious how well these are built , and will the bearings hold up with those big chucks. The parts on those are probably proprietary and nothing else fits them. Just food for thought
 
Let us know how it is if you purchase it.
Double check, I know some of them have different hole thru dimensions on each chuck.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk
 
At about 1 to1.5k I assume you want to compare with the taig based lathes which dont do any threading. i would like to hear from someone who has or used both
 
I agree that it's probably a pos,, only because it's coming from China with no support. However is it written in stone what a live thread has to be something that everyone else uses., . I'm thinking anyone can build a machine and their live threading doesn't have to match anyone else's just as long as it's consistent with their work only.We are not making bolts, but threading wood.
 
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One thing I've noticed is it will only go down to 11tpi for threads. Not a good deal for anyone cutting 10tpi for pins.
Don't have one but looks like it may have potential for a secondary lathe for odds and ends.
Don't believe it would work for a main set up.

As for as being a POS just because it's made in China can be a misconception because of bias.
I've purchased many things from China that are made as well or BETTER than things made anywhere else in the world.
You just need to do your due diligence before making any purchase. No matter where a product is made.
It's funny how some degrade overseas made products then jump on their horse and run to Home Depot, Lowes or Harbor Freight and make a purchase not understanding that 80 to 100 percent of stuff in those stores are made overseas.
Case in point, I have a friend who is on this buy American gig and when I walked into his house and had a quick look around.....you can imagine what I noticed. :rolleyes:
 
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