Mini lathe prices?

**F5 Dave** · 15th June 2007, 10:46

Think of the tooling you may require, different cut off tools & shaped cutters. Do you want to drill big holes? Monster drill bits/boring bar, reamers, DTI.

+ the stock metal is expensive.

How much before you recoup just paying someone?

So hopefully mine will be up & running in the weekend. Pretty old though, hope it is ok.

**nudemetalz** · 15th June 2007, 11:13

Granted, but there is so much more satisfaction in designing and manufacturing by yourself.

Aluminium in billet, sheets, tubing, box-section etc is expensive but if you have the "right connections", this cost can be considerably reduced.

**F5 Dave** · 15th June 2007, 11:18

Yeah I've got to stockpile some just to start & practice. Main thing I'm looking forward to is being able to say, "ahh crap this wheel spacer is too long/too short", time to shave some off/make another. Or 2-stroke head re-profiling. Take some off, measure, take some more off, re measure. Real pain if you have to trot off to the engineer & wait a couple of days between every iteration.

Wonder if scrappies carry much bar stock?

**degrom** · 15th June 2007, 11:30

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

Degrom - did you ever buy a mini lathe? I'm tempted by one of these - I can only think of about $400's worth of stuff to make on it though...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-fa...202430.htm?p=3

Not yet...

But I found a place in Auckland that can supply really good ones. Received a extra booklet with my Shed Magazine and it had Lathes that started at around $550 with a 3year warranty.

Will have al look at the book again and put the details on here.

**jonbuoy** · 15th June 2007, 11:34

Shame its only a 6mm chuck - I'd be happier with a 10 or 13mm chuck, motor sounds a bit small as well. I'm sure I'll think of other things to make - just trying to justify it to myself. Won't be turning up anything massive and all in Ally - except for maybe a brake piston in stainless or that synthetic plastic stuff can't remember what its called.

**imdying** · 15th June 2007, 11:42

Bakelite??

**F5 Dave** · 15th June 2007, 11:46

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

. . . or that synthetic plastic stuff can't remember what its called.

as opposed to all natural plastic?

**jonbuoy** · 15th June 2007, 11:49

No found it - called phenolic a few people making pistons out of this on ebay.

**Sanx** · 15th June 2007, 12:44

Any suggestions on where one can do to learn how to do all this stuff? My attempts at metalwork are, although butt ugly, usually fairly effective. However, I'd love to learn how to use a lathe and mill properly, and maybe get some TIG experience too.
I've looked at short courses at Unitec, AUT and MIT but they seem more keyed up for people wanting to go into that kind of line as a profession rather than someone who just wants an excuse to buy lots of expensive tools to clutter up the basement.

**degrom** · 15th June 2007, 13:01

PoliTec good for that!!!

**imdying** · 15th June 2007, 13:13

Yeah, made a few out of phenolic resin. Quite popular on boat trailers... they don't rust

**F5 Dave** · 15th June 2007, 13:15

Phenolic material makes a good high speed bearing cage as well.

I bought an old book called Care & use of a lathe by Sheldon, as my Lathe is a Sheldon, but many of the principles are the same on any lathe. Good for a novice. Cheap on Evil.bay

**degrom** · 15th June 2007, 20:26

Originally Posted by degrom

Not yet...

But I found a place in Auckland that can supply really good ones. Received a extra booklet with my Shed Magazine and it had Lathes that started at around $550 with a 3year warranty.

Will have al look at the book again and put the details on here.

Here is the place a talked about... Really good prices.