ftgokie, Don't forget to check craigslist, Machinery Auction, or with machine shops who might have a lathe for sale.
Mini -Lathe thoughts
- Thread starter ftgokie
- Start date
Speaking of Craigs list
Check this video out- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA6VbnZMJwE
On another note others have given some good advice here, I have the ability to make a steady for mine without the need for expensive machine work if I really wanted to, so It may would not be a big deal for me, but I haven't needed to do that because I have a Hightower deluxe, that is more then enough to handle most of My repair work.
With the mini lathe, I got mine from Homier, and think I only paid 299 for It, but they don't seem to be carrying them anymore. With the extension Idea My thoughts are for 100 bucks You could buy a wood lathe to do the same thing for that price or not too much more, and not have to hassle with trying to line the 2 small bed ways up to get them perfectly centered with each other. That is unless space is a issue and You don't have room for 2 lathes.
I agree with what some have said here, that If You can afford to or the price will run near the same amount anyway,then I would go with a Hightower lathe. Preferably a Midsize or larger,but the smaller ones should get You by for a while also, and may have a better resale value. The nice thing about Chris's lathes is they come with some of what You need to get started, so You won't have as much time effort or money invested in getting one of the mini lathes rigged up to do what You need.
See That's not My only only piece of equipment. I don't have much, but I can turn parts on one of My lathes or mill on My small milling machine, so for me, making the parts for My mini to do tips and ferrules would not be out of My abilities. If You have a buddy with the equipment or access to It, then that may help. There are crude ways to set up a steady rest without such equipment, and they can work, but If it were me I would want something with a bearing to use collets in Like Dick made up for his. There's always ways around problems like that, You'd be surprised at some of the crude looking setups that I have seen in action that worked well enough, but It depends on what all you are willing to go through to get there, and how long You are willing to wait to do cue work. A cue lathe can get You started pretty much out of the box in most cases.
Like I mentioned I only paid around 299 for mine, so at that price or less may be more worth while, If You start getting into 500 600 bucks just for the lathe though, then I may would be thinking cue lathe at that point.
I know It's a lot to weigh over, but most of the advice Your getting from the people here is good, and both ways will work in the end. One way is a longer road then the other though.
Check this video out- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA6VbnZMJwE
On another note others have given some good advice here, I have the ability to make a steady for mine without the need for expensive machine work if I really wanted to, so It may would not be a big deal for me, but I haven't needed to do that because I have a Hightower deluxe, that is more then enough to handle most of My repair work.
With the mini lathe, I got mine from Homier, and think I only paid 299 for It, but they don't seem to be carrying them anymore. With the extension Idea My thoughts are for 100 bucks You could buy a wood lathe to do the same thing for that price or not too much more, and not have to hassle with trying to line the 2 small bed ways up to get them perfectly centered with each other. That is unless space is a issue and You don't have room for 2 lathes.
I agree with what some have said here, that If You can afford to or the price will run near the same amount anyway,then I would go with a Hightower lathe. Preferably a Midsize or larger,but the smaller ones should get You by for a while also, and may have a better resale value. The nice thing about Chris's lathes is they come with some of what You need to get started, so You won't have as much time effort or money invested in getting one of the mini lathes rigged up to do what You need.
See That's not My only only piece of equipment. I don't have much, but I can turn parts on one of My lathes or mill on My small milling machine, so for me, making the parts for My mini to do tips and ferrules would not be out of My abilities. If You have a buddy with the equipment or access to It, then that may help. There are crude ways to set up a steady rest without such equipment, and they can work, but If it were me I would want something with a bearing to use collets in Like Dick made up for his. There's always ways around problems like that, You'd be surprised at some of the crude looking setups that I have seen in action that worked well enough, but It depends on what all you are willing to go through to get there, and how long You are willing to wait to do cue work. A cue lathe can get You started pretty much out of the box in most cases.
Like I mentioned I only paid around 299 for mine, so at that price or less may be more worth while, If You start getting into 500 600 bucks just for the lathe though, then I may would be thinking cue lathe at that point.
I know It's a lot to weigh over, but most of the advice Your getting from the people here is good, and both ways will work in the end. One way is a longer road then the other though.
Ok, you guys are all JERKS and I HATE YOU! 
EVERYONE...and I mean, EVERYONE that has said to go and get Chris Hightowers lathe has officially just convinced me to spend more money...so THANKS ALOT! JERKS! :thumbup:
This thread has really been the most helpful one (for me at least) as to what would be the smartest thing to do for the money. Now..I have not decided as to which one to go with..I will just have to talk to the wife and decide. I am sure if I go with the least expensive, when I decide to upgrade, I dont think it would be hard to unload on here..
deadgearplyr, i have replaced some ferrules and tips before on a friends Enco lathe before, so I can do it...and yes, I believe what me and you are looking to do is basically the same thing.
EVERYONE...and I mean, EVERYONE that has said to go and get Chris Hightowers lathe has officially just convinced me to spend more money...so THANKS ALOT! JERKS! :thumbup:
This thread has really been the most helpful one (for me at least) as to what would be the smartest thing to do for the money. Now..I have not decided as to which one to go with..I will just have to talk to the wife and decide. I am sure if I go with the least expensive, when I decide to upgrade, I dont think it would be hard to unload on here..
deadgearplyr, i have replaced some ferrules and tips before on a friends Enco lathe before, so I can do it...and yes, I believe what me and you are looking to do is basically the same thing.
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Stoney said:
Many of your concerns are well founded. As I said in my post, if you need someone else to do fabrication it is very expensive. If you can't or are to lazy to do the modifications yourself then you need to buy a lathe set up and ready to go. It will be much cheaper in the long run. Thing is, when building cues you are always making up jigs and making modifications to equipment to accomplish what needs done. You must be mechanically inclined creative and work good with your hands to be able to prosper.You need to have the ability to see a problem and be able to visualize in your mind a way to repair or create something to fill this void. I'm not going to be popular for this but way to many people are throwing their money away on time, equipment and materials to build cues as they don't have the mental tools needed. Some concepts come easy for some and hard for others. Just because someone has a desire to be a mathematician, goes to school, studies and does the same things as someone else doesn't guarantee he will succeed. You need the basic mental tools. Over the years on this forum and others I've seen so many absolute basic questions being asked by people that I get dizzy wondering why they think this is the right field for them. I believe one of the biggest disservices to the industry that has been brought about is the books and DVDs and such showing how to build and repair cues. A person learns and remembers much better on his own than what he reads and he soon learns if he has the mental tools to accomplish what needs to be done. Some just can't see the basic concepts without being led by the nose and so will never be any good at this expensive endeavour.
Dick
rhncue said:
Thanks Dick. I totally get what your saying...yes, you have to have the mental ability to be able to make cues...I dont think just a desire to make cues would even come close. So yes, I totally agree with what you say.
In my spare time, I run a portable welding service so I know I have the mechanical ability to do what I am wanting to do...BUt that is a great point you made that its not for everyone...
I appreciate all your valuable input.........Thanks everyone.
Shawn Smith
ftgokie said:
Thanks, I'm glad that you understand what I was trying to say. I figured too many would read it in the wrong light and feel I was trying to stymy peoples desire to be able to build cues. What I am trying to get across is that it takes more than just a desire so a person must ask himself "Am I really ready to make this step". Books and such show the basics and gets peoples noses open but they don't tell all. Every repair and cue has it's own idiosyncrasies and the repair/builder must be able to both see the problem and think of the best way to fix it. The teacher is not always there.
Dick
I believe what you are alluding to Dick, is called the minds eye.
My father was a fantastic carpenter and landscaper as was my mom.
Mom told me once that dad has a great minds eye, he was able to look at a pile of lumber or a weed infested piece of land and in his mind, he could envision an already finished product. Maybe what separates cue makers.
My father was a fantastic carpenter and landscaper as was my mom.
Mom told me once that dad has a great minds eye, he was able to look at a pile of lumber or a weed infested piece of land and in his mind, he could envision an already finished product. Maybe what separates cue makers.
rhncue said:Thanks, I'm glad that you understand what I was trying to say. I figured too many would read it in the wrong light and feel I was trying to stymy peoples desire to be able to build cues. What I am trying to get across is that it takes more than just a desire so a person must ask himself "Am I really ready to make this step". Books and such show the basics and gets peoples noses open but they don't tell all. Every repair and cue has it's own idiosyncrasies and the repair/builder must be able to both see the problem and think of the best way to fix it. The teacher is not always there.
Dick
AMEN! I am right there with you on that! Books and DVD's I guess would give you some insight.....Actually doing it with your hands is altogether another thing. But if you dont have the mental ability to do it and actually comprehend WHAT and WHY your doing it, I dont feel you would be a Good cuemaker...You could make cues, sure..But, would they be Quality cues? I totally agree and can understand exactly what your saying......I feel ya Brotha!:grin:
I know its a micro lathe if you read two posts above mine You will see I was amswering a question about itrhncue said:
Kelly_Guy said:
Yeah It sounds like It was a good day for that gentleman, If only I could luck up on deals like that. The deal on the lathe was enough, but then he picked up the mill for the same price, with tooling, and all looked like new too.... A very Lucky man he was on that day.
dave sutton
Banned
rhncue said:
i originally posted that. didnt see 10mm spindle bore tho. i didnt think it was much bigger then 1/2 anyway
dave sutton
Banned
ftgokie said:Ok, you guys are all JERKS and I HATE YOU!
EVERYONE...and I mean, EVERYONE that has said to go and get Chris Hightowers lathe has officially just convinced me to spend more money...so THANKS ALOT! JERKS! :thumbup:
This thread has really been the most helpful one (for me at least) as to what would be the smartest thing to do for the money. Now..I have not decided as to which one to go with..I will just have to talk to the wife and decide. I am sure if I go with the least expensive, when I decide to upgrade, I dont think it would be hard to unload on here..
deadgearplyr, i have replaced some ferrules and tips before on a friends Enco lathe before, so I can do it...and yes, I believe what me and you are looking to do is basically the same thing.
if i were you. take your time thinking. once you get started its like an addiction if your good at it. personally. when i was in your position i wish someone told me just buy the deluxe. its worth it. you can always get your money back out of it. trust me. once you start you will want to go further and to be stuck in a small lathe like the midsize will hold you back. save your pennies and spring for the deluxe. not that you cant always use the midsize but 6 months or a year down the road youll wish you just got the deluxe. i know i did
dave sutton said:
Dave.....WHAT on Earth are you doing to me man? Im going to have to put you on my ignore list cause your just making me spend more money...:thumbup:
On a serious note. Yes, I totally agree with everything your talking about. I know how I am, in this instance, if I buy the entry level lathe, I am sure if I have the ability to use it to its limits, I will just want to go with a bigger setup like the deluxe..So yes, I value your opinion, and all the others that have contributed here very much. Reason I was trying to go with the mini lathe is to just start out cheap.....Our house should be finished here in the next 2-3weeks, depending on the contractor...and my shop will be done a few weeks after that....I will do as much research on these lathes as I can between now and mid Feb to see what is more practical for me to go with.
One reason I was originally thinking of the mini lathe is my cousin makes ink pens on a small lathe he has and I made a cocobolo ink pen.. it looks ok, I was kindof rushed and didnt get to take my time. I just wanted to say I made one and now frusterates me looking at it cause I know I could have made it look mush better. Its nothing fancy, just a basic home made pen.
I really appreciate everyones opinions and advice that has been given to me. It has really helped me out more than you know....
Thanks everyone
Shawn Smith
ftgokie said:Dave.....WHAT on Earth are you doing to me man? Im going to have to put you on my ignore list cause your just making me spend more money...:thumbup:
On a serious note. Yes, I totally agree with everything your talking about. I know how I am, in this instance, if I buy the entry level lathe, I am sure if I have the ability to use it to its limits, I will just want to go with a bigger setup like the deluxe..So yes, I value your opinion, and all the others that have contributed here very much. Reason I was trying to go with the mini lathe is to just start out cheap.....Our house should be finished here in the next 2-3weeks, depending on the contractor...and my shop will be done a few weeks after that....I will do as much research on these lathes as I can between now and mid Feb to see what is more practical for me to go with.
One reason I was originally thinking of the mini lathe is my cousin makes ink pens on a small lathe he has and I made a cocobolo ink pen.. it looks ok, I was kindof rushed and didnt get to take my time. I just wanted to say I made one and now frusterates me looking at it cause I know I could have made it look mush better. Its nothing fancy, just a basic home made pen.
I really appreciate everyones opinions and advice that has been given to me. It has really helped me out more than you know....
Thanks everyone
Shawn Smith
You can turn pens on either of the two small Hightower lathes. Tooling is slightly harder to come by due to the lack of Morse tapers otherwise whatever you would have to purchase to do the job is available from Penn State Ind. and Hut.
Regards,
Stoney
dave sutton
Banned
The Good Thing About A Deluxe Is You Buy It And Its Ready To Go. When I Sold My Midsize To Fund Me Bigger Lathe I Looked Into Metal Lathes With Taper Attachments And They Are Close If Not More. `the Deluxe Is Practical Versitile And Easy To Move. About 100 Lbs Vs. 2000 Lbs. You Can Get By With One Lathe If You Dont Mind Going Slow.