Mini lathe prices?

[Neville]

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If you are considering purchase and need some advice let me know. I am a toolmaker with nearly 30 years Engineering experience currently running a research workshop.

what do you think of the HQ800 http://www.topmaq.co.nz/product_detail.aspx?id=MEMD4000

[SixPackBack]

what do you think of the HQ800 http://www.topmaq.co.nz/product_detail.aspx?id=MEMD4000

What do you intend to use it for?

[Neville]

What do you intend to use it for?

General purpose anything and everything, hobby projects, bike related projects, thread cutting milling etc and as experience is gained more advanced and precision work if this machine is capable of such things.

[SixPackBack]

General purpose anything and everything, hobby projects, bike related projects, thread cutting milling etc and as experience is gained more advanced and precision work if this machine is capable of such things.

That design of machine where a mill/drill head is attached to the headstock of a lathe are very impractical and limited. At best the mill head can be used for machining a keyway or slot into a shaft you have turned, or drill simple holes into parts. The machine is light and small and hence will be comparitivly slow and inaccurate. My advice would be to buy a lathe [the biggest/sturdiest you can afford] and a pedestal drill, at some future time a free-standing milling machine when you have picked up your skill. Try this site for a greater array of machines
http://www.chevpac.co.nz/webshop/CHV...=ECH%7C%7C1144

Trademe would also be worth a look.

[Kflasher]

Hi.

What is the RRP on one of those Chinese 7x10 little mini lathes?
Anyone know where I can buy one.(Shop names would be really nice..)

Thanks.

I got myself a German built lathe 1.5 foot between centers 1.25” headstock bore and 7.5” bed clearance and single phase power supply (for home use) for around $4500 about 10yrs ago, complete with interchangeable tail stock mill. Still going fine… when I get the chance to play.
As a retired fitter welder I cut my teeth on the old Colchester’s.
I would consider carefully of what you are trying to achieve compared to the size and accuracy of your purchase, also any attachments you may consider to achieve you final out come.
I have done several repairs to peoples attempts at machining, when starting out study your cuts procedures and try on scrap before anything else.

[Neville]

That design of machine where a mill/drill head is attached to the headstock of a lathe are very impractical and limited. At best the mill head can be used for machining a keyway or slot into a shaft you have turned, or drill simple holes into parts. The machine is light and small and hence will be comparitivly slow and inaccurate. My advice would be to buy a lathe [the biggest/sturdiest you can afford] and a pedestal drill, at some future time a free-standing milling machine when you have picked up your skill. Try this site for a greater array of machines
http://www.chevpac.co.nz/webshop/CHV...=ECH%7C%7C1144

Trademe would also be worth a look.

thanks for that