Opinions on a metal lathe

Let me start you off with "that's a pretty expensive paint-job".
SB has been a workhorse in a lot of industries for a lot of years.
It's got the features you'd want in a cue-making lathe but it also has flat-belt drive.
I've found that to be an area of high maintenance.
By the 'hang' of the over-center lever in the base, it doesn't currently have a belt.
Some had 'hard-ways' and some didn't. Stay away from those that didn't.
A similar machine in my world goes $1,500/2,000. Paint's cheap. You need to look deeper.

Now some comments on the pics the seller has posted.
You see the surface rust on the end of the spindle (and it's interior) ?
Also the thread selector levers? That lathe has sat idle for a while.
The taper attachment is a nice feature for a metal worker though you'd never use it.
That taper-bar is 12", you need at least 30".

I don't see a lot of dings and divots in the ways so they may be hard. 1st +.
I really don't see anything deceptive or misleading in his ad.

Summary: It's a lot of money and I think I could do better.

HTHs, KJ

One thing I neglected to include due to my dog distracting me is,
this would make an OK starter lathe if it were priced more reasonably.
However, in a short period of time you'd realize that what you really want is
a precision jnt-work lathe and a taper/shaper.
Two machines yes but both much smaller and each more dedicated to it's task(s).
 
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Only requires a glance to notice it was not disassembled for the "refurbishment" (cheap paint job). That alone should tell you all you need to know about this lathe AND the seller.

TW

 
He bought it at auction for...... $300?

Then painted and is trying to flip it. Go to auctions yourself and buy your own for $300
 
For what it is worth,
I would not buy that lathe from those pictures.
KJ and TW are spot on.
Neil
 
i know its a bit more money

but i just bought a grizzly new 13 by 40 listed at $4300.00, and for an extra $300 i got dro included in the package, and 3 jaw, 4 jaw, tools, extra gears, 8 speeds 70 to 2000 rpm, light, fluid drip for cutting metal,
i know that less than 3k looks great, but there is a hell of a lot of difference between worn-out and new.

cant tell you how i like it as its still on the shipping pallet
 
desi2960 said:
but i just bought a grizzly new 13 by 40 listed at $4300.00, and for an extra $300 i got dro included in the package, and 3 jaw, 4 jaw, tools, extra gears, 8 speeds 70 to 2000 rpm, light, fluid drip for cutting metal,
i know that less than 3k looks great, but there is a hell of a lot of difference between worn-out and new.

cant tell you how i like it as its still on the shipping pallet
Click to expand...

I wish I lived closer, I would've helped you wrestle that beast in by now
 
OK, here's my idea of a decent jnt-work lathe. A handle will pass thru in either direction.
I would buy this lathe at this price. Closer inspection could be a factor.

Metal Lathe, Enco 12 X 36 model 92010 - $1500 (Highland)

The ad states it's a 12x36 though I would disagree. More likely a 12x24/28; even better, less devoted floor-space.
I like the "Cinci Tray-Top" flat head-stock. Trust me, that's a handy feature.
The tail-stock levers are in the right place and I believe that it has hard ways.
Being early ENCO, this may be a Taiwan build, preferable to Main-land.

There is an aspect of this lathe that I'm not wild about; the drive system hanging off the back of the head-stock.
I would much rather see that whole affair set beneath the head-stock; better balance and ballast location.
I've seen these lathes in shops I've worked at and done business with. IIRC, more often these were set on a bench/table.
That would explain the drive location. Yup, just read the tag, 'ENCO bench lathe'. Cool, the legs are free.....
One thing that is obvious, the seller is making no effort to hide anything. What you see is what you get.

Anyway, this is a nice example of what's within reasonable driving distance from my location.
The price is typical for similar in this area. It has some of the features I look for. HTHs.
Trying to save the phrase: "And to think you could have had a V8". That'll date me. Lol

KJ

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Let's see if I can get the pics to display properly this time.

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