Mini Lathe for Small Parts?

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Rob_in_NC

Rob_in_NC

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Jan 3, 2020
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Barnardsville, North Carolina
So I have a cheapie HF small lathe that I've had for about 10 years now. It was always rickety and now even moreso. Thinking it's time for an upgrade.

Been off an on looking at smaller units. Space is a major concern. Saw a South Bend 1944 9A locally for 1700 with some tooling, and as much as I'd like to jump on it, I just dont have the space and I dont want to have to restore, mess with it, tinker, etc, etc. Seller states 'excellent' condition, but I dont know enough about them to verify that. I know there are a ton of these around and so good user support, but want something I can plug in and run.

So usage. I only infrequently use my current lathe. Partly because I dont have much I need to machine often, but also because I look for reasons NOT to use it because it's just not fun to use. It's fiddly, nothing on it seems 'tight'... I cant really do much with it other than delrin or aluminum without a ton of frustration. Case in point, yesterday I chopped off the choke on a barrel I intend to shoot slugs with. I could only get through 1/3 of the barrel and it was rough. Ended up using a hack saw and then facing it with the lathe, which was an adventure, but I eventually got it done.

I know Little Machine Shop sells the China lathes already QC'd and with upgraded parts and apparently their customer support is top notch.

I've looked at some of the larger benchtop Grizzly options, but see a lot of issues with them from folks. Seems hit or miss. I have a Grizzly band saw and after quite a lot of truing it up, etc, it does fine... but any adjustment to it is a PIA.

I think Precision Matthews is in the same category with LMS from what I've read.

Sherline has some interesting options, but their lathes are tiny... as in like 25lbs tiny. I've read that they perform above their weight, but would seem that there needs to be some mass there. Maybe these folks are making RC car parts and similar with them.

Any others I should look at or does anyone have any advice? Biggest criteria is I'd like to have a machine I dont have to mess with constantly to use. Price around the 2500 mark max. Benchtop size but still stout enough for some small parts from steel on occasion. I'm good with smaller cuts, been used to that.
 
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My dad was a machinist. I always wanted to learn. There's a guy on YouTube, name is Uri Tuchman. A true Renaissance man, unbelievable artist. If you haven't seen him you should check out some of his projects. Not just machining but woodwork, engraving, artwork & music for his videos, concepts for his builds, etc. Funny as hell too! Here's a link for one of the videos. 1st one I watched & I was hooked.

 
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I will have space pretty soon I'm following the tread to .. after some failed deal with some " machinists " that have really bad skills I decided to get one to and a milling machine n what ever else need it to have a complete small shop at home . If you are in to custom work, barrels etc is way better to learn how to doit, than to ship you air gun or parts n hope for the best ..
 
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Cpt_Willson said:
If you're thinking Sherline size then you could also look at Taig. These two options are in the same desktop/toolbox size format.
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I'm not really... I know from wood lathes that size/mass does matter. Assume it would be the same with metal lathes.
As of right now, the two contenders that I'm seriously considering are from LMS and Grizzly. Have done a fair amount of 'looking' over the last couple years and those are the two I keep going back to for my purposes. Still check out Craigslist now and then. I dont do FaceBook so that's out, which severely limits my hunt for used equipment.

Have seen some 8x models from off brands such as this one
. These are right around the 1k mark, but finding real world info has been difficult.
 
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I am buying a small or mini lathe probably over ten years now, and never got it to my door yet.
My problem is, that my carrier started in high tech metal - precision fabrications in early 80's, and I was a CNC programmer on aerospace level multi axis machining centers for over twenty years.
I was kind of way too picky to get any low or mid priced = quality mini lathe. I do have a micro mill in my garage for twenty years I guess from HF, after "tightening" it performs pretty OK for my needs.
Buying used? I would never buy from a hobbyist, only from a machine shop guys who want to free up the space on the shop floor...they already did some tinkering with it.
Buying new? That is another problem ... finding with metal gears - no plastic, also to have a lead screw in both metric and inches for cutting external threads. These a bit harder to find for a reasonable money.
Yes, I would very welcome now a good quality mini - or micro - lathe now, especially just recently retired :)
 
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Unfortunately in the world of machining the ol saying "You get what you pay for" is about as accurate as it gets. That being said, most people don't have the money to look at high end or even mid range equipment for a hobby to put in their garage. I started my machinist educational adventure in 98, and still do it today. Love what I do, and who I do it for. As far as a small machine for home/hobby use it boils down to what size stuff you plan to run. That's a difficult question to answer because you are always going to find a reason or part to want something bigger. I've used a Sherline and a Taig. Both machines are good machines, but remember they aren't a work horse machine. You shouldnt be peeling 1/8" per side off of 1018 steel. Not that they won't do it, but its going to be hard on them. I've also used the cheap Chinese lathes that HF offers. My father has one, and while it's not a bad machine it's also not a good machine. I've helped him modify several things on it to make it cut better. Like the carriage, cross slide, and tool post. All of these modifications are well documented on cnc zone or YouTube.

Me personally, if I was looking for a mid-size machine for home use. I would happily buy an older well used small industrial machine and spend the time and effort into restoring it. In the long run you will have a much better machine, and be way happier with the end result. So you have to put some sweat equity into an older machine to get a quality machine in the long run. Make it a winter project if you must. Also, that older sturdy machine you restored will hold its value much better than an El cheapo lathe ever will.

Just my 2 cents. Take it for what it's worth.
 
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@Cpt_Willson Sage advice, but some counters for you. Not to argue, just to put some additional context. I think the 'get what you pay for' holds in general for tools. I've never begrudged a dime I've spent on good tools. However, my little HF lathe has been all I've needed in the last 10 years SIZE wise. I've never wished I had more capacity for the little piddly stuff I've tried to make. I just wished it was 'tighter' and would work as I thought it would. Granted, some of it (much of it) could be my inexperience with lathes.

I wouldnt mind the restoration of a larger lathe, but I simply dont have the room. I have a 10x10 workshop with a mini mill, drill press, two 2x72 belt grinders some storage, and the current lathe. My larger 12x20 shop houses a full sized wood lathe, forge, woodworking bench, various assembly tables for knives, sheaths, and wood working projects... and a plethora of hand tools and other equipment and supplies. It's packed.

So I'm much more limited by space than anything right now. It's true that if I had a larger machine, or even a better machine that was more enjoyable to use, I may want to delve into larger stock, but again, that's just not been the case with what I do. Small parts, barrels, and more small parts have been all I've cared to do.
 
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Avator said:
I often struggle with wanting a mini lathe or a 3D printer. I don't think I have the space or the money for both.
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Look for a used Prusa mk3 or mk3+ on whatever market place you browse. I found my prusa Mk3+ for $375 on FB. Ask them to have it setup and tell them you would like to run a first layer test. They will either be happy to do it because it's a quick test and will help them off load it by proving that there is nothing wrong with it. Or they will flat refuse in which case I would avoid it. I have a Prusa Mk3+ and a Voron 2.4 that I built. I've found that most people get into 3d printing and then after about 6 months to a year they lose interest. Unless your a designer it's hard to find new things to print or anything to capture your attention long enough to pursue it. The Bambu printers are also an option but they tend to be priced a little higher.
 
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I have been using an ENCO 9" x 30" now for @ 30 years. yes some maintenance and small wear parts replacement have been required.
Has it been Large enough ? would say mostly yes with instances where the 20mm spindle bore I wish was 30 mm :( and the Scroll chuck size larger too.
It has served me very very well for the @ $1099 paid for it in the mid 1990's. TOOLING investment at least that $$ again .
 
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Rob_in_NC said:
@Cpt_Willson Sage advice, but some counters for you. Not to argue, just to put some additional context. I think the 'get what you pay for' holds in general for tools. I've never begrudged a dime I've spent on good tools. However, my little HF lathe has been all I've needed in the last 10 years SIZE wise. I've never wished I had more capacity for the little piddly stuff I've tried to make. I just wished it was 'tighter' and would work as I thought it would. Granted, some of it (much of it) could be my inexperience with lathes.

I wouldnt mind the restoration of a larger lathe, but I simply dont have the room. I have a 10x10 workshop with a mini mill, drill press, two 2x72 belt grinders some storage, and the current lathe. My larger 12x20 shop houses a full sized wood lathe, forge, woodworking bench, various assembly tables for knives, sheaths, and wood working projects... and a plethora of hand tools and other equipment and supplies. It's packed.

So I'm much more limited by space than anything right now. It's true that if I had a larger machine, or even a better machine that was more enjoyable to use, I may want to delve into larger stock, but again, that's just not been the case with what I do. Small parts, barrels, and more small parts have been all I've cared to do.
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Well, that's definitely a packed space lol.

Let me clarify and maybe expand on what I was saying. First, I apologize, often times my brain or thoughts out run my fingers so everything rumbling around up there doesn't come out. Anoys the hell out of my wife too.

I was primarily thinking about the size of some of the HF lathes vs how well they perform. When i started out I was taught on a 9" inch southbend lathe. Admittedly it was bigger than some of the HF lathes in that the bed was longer. These machines weren't in top notch state as literally hundreds of other kids learned on the same machines everyday. However, even in the state they were in, they cut better than my dad's HF lathe even after the modifications we did. Depending on where your located and if your in a manufacturing hub, a small decent shape southbend should fit your budget of $2500. It's probably going to be a little longer than your HF lathe, but if you had the room to go maybe a ft longer you might find one. I just looked online and found a nice looking 9" southbend that looks great for $3700 in Bristol. I get thats out of your price range but it looks like a solid machine. Found another small 9" southbend for $1500 on ebay. Looks like it needs cleaned up, maybe oil it and replace some gibs. That one looks about the size of an HF lathe as it's bolted to a plywood top on what looks like a rolling cart. Even if it needed a new motor that might still sneak in under your price range. If I was looking for a small lathe for home use. That's what I would be looking for.
 
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Cpt_Willson said:
Well, that's definitely a packed space lol.

Let me clarify and maybe expand on what I was saying. First, I apologize, often times my brain or thoughts out run my fingers so everything rumbling around up there doesn't come out. Anoys the hell out of my wife too.

I was primarily thinking about the size of some of the HF lathes vs how well they perform. When i started out I was taught on a 9" inch southbend lathe. Admittedly it was bigger than some of the HF lathes in that the bed was longer. These machines weren't in top notch state as literally hundreds of other kids learned on the same machines everyday. However, even in the state they were in, they cut better than my dad's HF lathe even after the modifications we did. Depending on where your located and if your in a manufacturing hub, a small decent shape southbend should fit your budget of $2500. It's probably going to be a little longer than your HF lathe, but if you had the room to go maybe a ft longer you might find one. I just looked online and found a nice looking 9" southbend that looks great for $3700 in Bristol. I get thats out of your price range but it looks like a solid machine. Found another small 9" southbend for $1500 on ebay. Looks like it needs cleaned up, maybe oil it and replace some gibs. That one looks about the size of an HF lathe as it's bolted to a plywood top on what looks like a rolling cart. Even if it needed a new motor that might still sneak in under your price range. If I was looking for a small lathe for home use. That's what I would be looking for.
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Appreciate the advice... this is the one that I was initially looking at. The only issue is I would need to put it in the garage. I simply have no room for this in either shop at this point.


This is actually within 20 minutes of my house. Have to figure out how to actually get it to my house though. I sure wont be lifting it...haha

The age on this one is concerning to me, but folks seem to like them.
 
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@Rob_in_NC

That looks like a good deal. Comes with a 3 jaw, 4 jaw, and a quick change tool post. As for the age of the machine I totally understand the concern. I would extend the quil of the tailstock and see how much wobble it has. I've seen them in really really bad shape before, but I've also seen some that felt like new. Just depends on the life of the machine. You can also try to wiggle the saddle back/forth and see if you can feel any movement. That can be a deceptive test because of the Ways on the back of the saddle is an upside down v. I've checked out a used lathe that was so worn down the saddle wasn't even riding on the back Way like it's supposed to do. It was resting on the Way of the tailstock. Might be a good idea to see what kind of condition those belts are in too.

If you don't already have one I would suggest a cheap mighty mag off of Amazon for precise control over your z axis movements. Throw on a mag base for precise control over your depth of cut in x and your good. If you already knew about doing that I apologize for stepping on toes.
 
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@Cpt_Willson You are absolutely not stepping on toes, sir. I've got a couple various types of magnetic dial indicators as well as other bits and such I picked up along the way with my HF lathe. Noted the QCTP on the South Bend, and in looking around, that's a couple hundred bucks there. I'm pondering and still trying to see what I can shift around in the garage. Unfortunately 'my' side of the garage is dedicated to tools, zero turn, Alphabet org and more tools, along with my resin pour station for woodworking. I got too much crap....hahaha
 
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