Porper Model B Lathe Experiences

B

BeornLS

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was wondering if anyone can tell me their experiences on the Porper Model B lathes?

I've heard both good and bad about them, so just looking for some first hand input from people.

Please give me details of your experiences if you can!

I'm looking for something to get back into the cuemaking scene with and I'm about to pull the trigger on a new one I think, just trying to decide on which one to get.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff
www.jalancues.com
 
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BeornLS said:
I was wondering if anyone can tell me their experiences on the Porper Model B lathes?

I've heard both good and bad about them, so just looking for some first hand input from people.

Please give me details of your experiences if you can!

I'm looking for something to get back into the cuemaking scene with and I'm about to pull the trigger on a new one I think, just trying to decide on which one to get.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff
www.jalancues.com
Click to expand...
I have had a Porper Model B for over 11 years. I use it every day for tips, ferrules, wraps, polishing, and sanding cues.

In the beginning I used this cue to cut slots for points, taper butts and shafts and just about everything else.

I like the lathe for the things in paragraph 1 above but I have other more accurate equipment to accomplish all the other tasks now. It is a great lathe to get started with but it has its limitations.

Good luck,
 
BeornLS said:
Please give me details of your experiences if you can!

I'm looking for something to get back into the cuemaking scene with and I'm about to pull the trigger on a new one I think, just trying to decide on which one to get.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Jeff, I bought a Porper B lathe as my second lathe and like Arnot found it not able to "do it all" as advertized.
It is weak in the tapering department and since the router can only cut from the side it you cant use it to cut fancy ring slots.
Every cuemaking lathe out there has some limitation as to what it can do. The Porper B is a good repair lathe but I sold mine as soon as I bought a full size metal lathe.
I think a Porper B lathe and a Unique Products Taper / Shaper would make a good match for a starting cuemaker. With those two machines you can do everything (including veneered points) except inlays.
 
It's not at all hard to make a horizontal mount for the router to do stitch rings and such.
 
I have two porper B model lathes. One stays in may trailer ready to go for tournament set up. The other stays in the shop, and I use it all the time for repairs and making cues. I have made over 200 cues with this lathe. Thinking about getting another to replace it, because I've about wore it out with 6 years of constant use.
I would recommend the porper, like every thing else you have to get familiar with the machine to learn what it will and willnot do.
 
Chris' Cues said:
I have two porper B model lathes. One stays in may trailer ready to go for tournament set up. The other stays in the shop, and I use it all the time for repairs and making cues. I have made over 200 cues with this lathe. Thinking about getting another to replace it, because I've about wore it out with 6 years of constant use.
I would recommend the porper, like every thing else you have to get familiar with the machine to learn what it will and willnot do.
Click to expand...

If it's worn out and useless,
CAN I HAVE IT Pleeeease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
oldnovice said:
It's not at all hard to make a horizontal mount for the router to do stitch rings and such.
Click to expand...

Not hard at all if you have a milling machine. <grin>

However read the claims on the porper website and you will get the impression it will do everything you need right out of the crate.

Has anyone ever made a quality shaft using the Porper B taper bar?
How did you do it?
 
WilleeCue said:
Not hard at all if you have a milling machine. <grin>

However read the claims on the porper website and you will get the impression it will do everything you need right out of the crate.

Has anyone ever made a quality shaft using the Porper B taper bar?
How did you do it?
Click to expand...

yes, my master use Porper do all cue making except inlay

http://www.rayscue.com
 
Porper review

For the last 11 years I have used a Model B and in all that time, I have only changed the brushes twice and had to replace the board once. I don't know if the board problem was something I did or just that it was simply worn out. The quill is a little sloppy and I will be sending it out to see what can be done as soon as I get my new lathe.

Needless to say, I feel it has given me great service for the everyday repairs. I do an average of 20 to 30 pieces a week and from what I've heard, that's pretty busy. ( I reached that average over the past 5 years.) In some of the more densly populated areas, the repairmen probably do a greater volume.

It is true, if you take Porper literally in the claims they make regarding the lathe's capacity to produce cues, you will be disappointed unless you can alter this lathe to your own needs.

I am now looking to upgrade to a metal lathe and am searching the net for a great deal on a 13 x 40. (Anyone know of one, let me know.)

Gene
 
Cuedog said:
It is true, if you take Porper literally in the claims they make regarding the lathe's capacity to produce cues, you will be disappointed unless you can alter this lathe to your own needs.

Gene
Click to expand...

You said a mouthful right there. I was the one who designed the idle gear that is adjustable by a spring. It was nice to see at the expo last weekend, Joe and his helper have already screwed it up. Glad I didn't give him any more changes that I made.
 
I owned one for a couple years. I agree with most posts in here about them. It is great for polishing, buffing, cleaning shafts, tips, ferrules, wraps and most sanding tasks. The bad news is the $3200 price. I replaced mine with a total of $600 in the way of a Jet wood lathe that I modified slightly and am more happy with it than I was the Porper.

As far as the claims that you can make a cue with it, sorry... no dice. I wouldn't even consider doing joint work, making points or using it for tapering. Simply not accurate enough. The feed is way too inconsistent for tapering or milling, not with any quality level I would be happy with anyway.

Don't get me wrong... I like many of the things Joe Porper has brought us, but I have to say that the claim about this lathe completely making cues is a little far fetched.
 
PetreeCues said:
I agree with most posts in here about them. It is great for polishing, buffing, cleaning shafts, tips, ferrules, wraps and most sanding tasks. The bad news is the $3200 price.
Click to expand...

That would be $3850.00 now plus S&H. There are many other options if one does their research.

Gene
 
I like my B-Lathe, but have not overcome problems related to clean center drilling of the forearm and proper set-up when cutting points in the forearm (I have tried several types of locking centers in the headstock that are close, but nothing I have any faith in as far as repeatability when cutting points). Any advice cuemakers have as to how they control accurate drilling and repeatable point cutting in their forearms on the B-Lathe would be greatly appreciated. Aside from these 2 bumps in the road I just mentioned, I like the machine and would not hesitate to recommend it as a good starting lathe and a good lathe to learn on. Great repair lathe out of the box! Needs a few refinements for cue building;) .
 
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