As Juston mentioned, for limited space and ease of use his lathes are great IMO. Some years back I was interested in taking a minilathe and converting It to do repair work, I already had cleaner lathes so really just needed something to do half way accurate tip and ferrule jobs on, retapering was done By hand on a cleaner setup, so that was not an issue. Space was an issue, and 2 lathes I had considered modifing was one, the popular seig minilathes, and the other was the taig, or peatol as It is known overseas. With the taig, I had been thinking about adding and extension, and was looking for materials for the project when I ran in to Chris's lathes, which was basically what I had in mind except my idea was a little more raw of a version then his, and not as well thought out. Anyway I really wanted to get one of his smaller more portable setups as it was the closest to My price range at the time, but was just out of reach still yet. We were playing the regional playoffs in our league, and there was a very nice gentleman doing tips and ferrels onsite. I told him we were interested in setting a minilathe up as he had to do repair. He had the same import version I was looking at, and at the time was all I could afford. he was kind enough to show Me how he set It up, was a pretty simple setup for the most part but did the trick. Well, broke down and bought one. My extension was a little different then his but as his it did the trick. Keep in mind even If you figure out how to make an extension, you still have to make all the collets, buy all the tooling, the centers, and more things than can possibly be mentioned. Later I ended up changing the extention again, trying to get better use from It, but just good for so much, and that was all. It worked, and fit in a smaller space, but as for ease of use, eh, I don't know. Learned alot from the experience, and made alot of cool joint caps and stuff on it, but now pretty much just use it for machining metal and alluminum for all kinds of stuff I need to build or tooling i want to make. Anyway in the end for what It cost could have bought chris's lathe and probably came out ahead, because most of the stuff you need to get started he includes. Ofcoarse he has options you can add as well. I look at It this way, My design would have cost more, even with used parts purchased to build it, then what he sells the thing for with all the bells and whistles, and guess work taken out. I don't know how he can sell them at that low a price for what all goes into them, especially his more basic models they are priced very reasonably. That's what We were going to go with originally, but opted to go all the way and get the deluxe with the works, and had him build us one. Glad we did, because the thing has paid for it'self by now for sure. It's been a really good addition, and probably gets used as much if not more then anything else. Sure eventually we would like to add 2 large floor lathes, and a larger mill, but heck I would love to have more deluxes then floor lathes setup for most stuff. If space is an issue can't go wrong, and the thing will always get used no matter how large your shop may grow. The taig platform is great, easy to build jigs, or make modifications to, tooling and parts are readily available. He really put some thought and time in to these lathes, and just kept making improvents, as he was using them for his own use, as they were being designed. I myself, have only had 1 $8.00 part break, and was really my own fault. He had the part to me in just a couple of days. They are for the most part pretty fixed position wise, and very easy to use, not to mention the jaws are a little softer on the o'l knuckles also, My other jaws on the other lathes are not as forgiving if I was to slip up, believe me I know.
What I did myself, and would recomend is to first buy his video, It's a good way to see It in action, pluss I believe he will deduct the price of the video from the price of the lathe If you end up getting one. I am not sure if He still does that, So you would Have to ask him to be sure. the video will also give you an idea of what goes into the work involved with repair should you need info on that. I am sure the others that are out there are nice also, but since I have not owned any, I have no way of comparing. I can say That the deluxe has performed well for us, and have no regrets. Well worth the money IMO If you want to jump right into repair work, without pulling your all hair out building something yourself, and dumping your wallet out at the same time. I have learned alot the hard way, have built some of My own stuff with decent success, even have plans for more, but still own one of these lathes, and would like more in the future. Was just the most cost efective thing for us.
Good luck, Hope It works out for You.
Greg
I'm just going to be doing basic repairs, tips, ferrules ect... originally I was going to get a wood lathe... but I want to be able to do ferrules. any suggestions?
