Ok, so I got a taig stye lathe, and its becoming clear that it will not do all the things that I want to do. So what's the best way to go: a cue building lathe like a hightower deluxe, or a metal lathe?
Joe
Joe
metal lathe or cue lathe?
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How much room do you have? How much money do you want to spend? How many other tools do you have? How good are you at making things to make cues?
If the answer to the above questions is " not much" buy the Deluxe!
We can make better suggestions after you have answered the above questions!
Welcome to the addiction!
Larry
If the answer to the above questions is " not much" buy the Deluxe!
We can make better suggestions after you have answered the above questions!
Welcome to the addiction!
Larry
I've got plenty of room, I can swing prolly $3k, I have no other tools, and so far the only thing to make cues that I have made has been a few collets. I'm looking long term here though. I bought this smaller lathe and was told I could make sneakys and I could upgrade it later and make fancy cues with it, but I just don't see it happening. I figure I better get more than I need now, so that later I will have enough. Although I'm completely ignorant on making cues, I don't plan on staying that way, lol.
Joe
I like that the hightower lathe comes ready to rock, but how hard would it be to modify a metal lathe to do cues? I found a nice looking jet lathe for $1100, amd I've found an old delta lathe from the 60's that looks like it would work for $600. The hightower is considerably more, but if I have to put $2k into a metal lathe would it still be worth it?
Joe
Joe
In all honesty, I would probably be lost without having both.
You can have the best of both worlds. Get a Datum Cue taper bar and a metal lathe, that is all you will ever need. Also, if you can afford get the router/dust box that Tom makes, it's the ultimate setup.
i agree with this that taper set up is 900 and you can cut in points and do all your tapering just find a lathe with a nice powerfeed and enough room between centers for tapering, and leave it set up for that. then a nice assembly and facing lathe with a rear chuck and you will be set.
once you use a metal lathe and feel how solid the ways are and how much better and consistant it holds tolerances you will know you made the right choice.
3000 you should be able to set yourself up with both.
good luck.
post sizes and through hole size nand pics if available
Metal lathes are serious machines.
Enroll at a local college in Machining 101 first .
Enroll at a local college in Machining 101 first .
Any machine that has a motor can mam, hurt or kill you.
Good advice if you've never run or been around one. Even if you have.
Any machine that has a motor can mame, hurt or kill you.
Good advice if you've never run or been around one. Even if you have.
Toy lathes won't kill you or hurt you really badly.
Power feed on big leadscrew lathes with steel chucks can really do damage.
How compounds have you seen with crash marks ?
Exactly.
I don't run lathes, but I've worked in a factory for the last 12 years and have ran drills (big drills with multiple heads), cnc machines, grinders, broaches, and a variety of other automated machinery that's really really good at removing fingers and hands, lol. I'm very careful with machinery. I've ran machines that have cut off fingers of people I know, and I've ran a machine that killed a man a few years ago. Safety is my first concern bro. Also, my dad is a retired tool and die maker, and I have a few other friends who know what to do and are willing to help me. If I had the time, I would go to school and learn more, but I just don't have the time man.
Joe
In your postion I would go with machine lathes. You can buy them cheap in todays economy. In the last year I have bought a nice Southbend heavy ten for $700, a logan 922 for $800 and a Asian lathe for $600. All are capable of making cues. Having you dad close by should help out greatly. The machine lathe route will take longer to get you to building cues, but it dosen't sound like you are in a hurry!
Larry
Another option not yet mentioned is possibly upgrading what you have. This may be your most economical route. You can add a metal lathe later as you will always want more than one machine in a cue building shop. Send me some pictures of it and I will let you know your options. Another thing not yet mentioned is if you have a cue lathe in your shiop to use for some functions, you may not have to modify your metal lathe as extensively, which saves some money.
cueman@cuesmith.com
cueman@cuesmith.com
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Joe, looks like you need to get this figure out in a hurry. Your back log is already building.
Larry
Yep. I hate to start a "Wheres my cue!" thread.
If you get a metals lathe get one with a quick change gear box. It will make threading tenons much nicer than using dies.