recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

For things you would put in a kitty dump.
HDS
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:40 am
Answers: 0
x 37
x 28

recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by HDS »

Our R&D shop needs a lathe. the budget is under $2,000. Of course it will be small and import at that price. Any suggestions for something reliable?
_________________________________________________________________________
"To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well."
Salvor Hardin in Isaac Asimov's Novel, "Foundation"
User avatar
SPerman
Posts: 2056
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:24 pm
Answers: 14
x 2227
x 1878
Contact:

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by SPerman »

I did a little bit of research in that area a few months ago. I didn't buy anything, because what I found in that price range wasn't able to cut much. If you're cutting plastic or brass, no problem. But aluminum required light cuts and don't even ask about steel.
-
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. -Douglas Adams
HDS
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:40 am
Answers: 0
x 37
x 28

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by HDS »

Mostly plastic.
Maybe a little drilling and tapping Al.
_________________________________________________________________________
"To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well."
Salvor Hardin in Isaac Asimov's Novel, "Foundation"
User avatar
SPerman
Posts: 2056
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:24 pm
Answers: 14
x 2227
x 1878
Contact:

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by SPerman »

See if this has any value. (I didn't watch the video, but this guy does incredible work.)

-
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. -Douglas Adams
HDS
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:40 am
Answers: 0
x 37
x 28

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by HDS »

Good video

He seems happy with the Sherline and that would do what I need at a great cost.
_________________________________________________________________________
"To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well."
Salvor Hardin in Isaac Asimov's Novel, "Foundation"
RichGergely
Posts: 190
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 11:18 pm
Answers: 0
x 109
x 156

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by RichGergely »

One question is have you looked at secondhand. A dealer might have something smallish and decent quality that they will give warranty on and it will probably be worth as much as you buy it for now if you sell it later.
User avatar
tsmith
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2021 11:36 am
Answers: 0
x 99
x 30

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by tsmith »

There is always the mini-lathe...



This Old's got a few videos on this, upgrades some key parts, lots of bad jokes.
He's a blast if you haven't seen his stuff.
User avatar
SPerman
Posts: 2056
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:24 pm
Answers: 14
x 2227
x 1878
Contact:

Re: recommendation for inexpensive metalworking lathe

Unread post by SPerman »

If it is a mini-lathe you are looking for, Joe Pie has you covered. (No camera tricks here. 1/12th scale functional lathe.)

Attachments
image.png
-
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. -Douglas Adams
Post Reply