Laith?

bryce007 said:

Couple of moving sales going on in my area. Any idea of what I should offer this guy:

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If I had the money I would offer $1000 for the lathe, disc grinder and tall drill press. If he's moving and doesn`t want to have to ship it, he might go for it. With that lathe you could make all kinds of laser parts.

But if you don't already know how to use a lathe, than don't even bother. You would only get yourself hurt.

I would be awesome at making lasers if I had a lathe. I use to use them on a regular basis for 10+ years.

If you do get that stuff, be careful. You don't want become an amputee.

Steve

...So lathes are extremely dangerous?
Even the little ones?

Hmmm...
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
If I was to get one, I have a question:
By capacity, does it mean the largest diameter bar stock it can hold?

Yes, lathe IS a dangerous tool, if misused ..... ok, ok, as any other tools, but lathe have, how can i say it, more occasions to hurt you than a drill, as example.

Tools can snap and become projected around, same as metal chips (for this there is a protection ), the piece can loose if not fixed good, and damage all the rest if you're working at high speed, lack of attention and care can put at risk your face, fingers and eyes, and so on.

Also small ones, yes, after all, remember that if it have enough energy for cut metal, your fingers are not a problem for it .

I worked for some years in a mechanical factory too, and seen enough accidents, mainly from misuse and lack of care, but also someone just due to casual facts ..... as example, one of the more common errors that lathe newbies (no offense intended) sometimes do, is forgot to take away the T-key that you use for close the "jaws", before turn it on at high speed ..... sometimes, it just break the key or the protection, but sometimes it can be throwed against you, and it's not a funny thing ..... one time, one of our mechanics done this error on a BIG lathe (100 cm jaws holder), and the key flied away like a bullet, and punched a hole in the door of the tools holder, that was made in steel

Never careless play with any tool, and especially with lathe and mill machines

So is the Harbor Freight mini, persision, or micro a good lathe for doing small metal work on
aluminum? I have never worked with a small lathe/ or aluminum no a lathe before.

bryce007 said:

Couple of moving sales going on in my area. Any idea of what I should offer this guy:

Click to expand...

I just saw a sander, and drill press like those at HF for a combined total of $500 IIRC. Granted, it is HF and their tools are not top quality, but still...
My 7x12 mini lathe, with a bunch of extra tools included, cost under $500 shipped. My girl got a great deal on it. It is chinese as well though.
My point is this... those are used tools. Start low and work your way up. Maybe $250 for the lathe? If it's in good working order of course.

ColdStl said:

I just saw a sander, and drill press like those at HF for a combined total of $500 IIRC. Granted, it is HF and their tools are not top quality, but still...
My 7x12 mini lathe, with a bunch of extra tools included, cost under $500 shipped. My girl got a great deal on it. It is chinese as well though.
My point is this... those are used tools. Start low and work your way up. Maybe $250 for the lathe? If it's in good working order of course.

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That yellow post-it note on it says $800 OBO. But if they are really moving this weekend, then they may take $200, that's my thinking. We'll see.

Is anyone on this forum also on the garagejournal.com forum? If so, there is a famous thread about a very nasty & graphic accident with a industrial size lathe. No matter the size exercise caution & safety!

There are a couple mini (HF) lathes in my local Craigslist going for $200-$375. Check out mini-lathe.com home page for reviews about many of the smaller lathes.

my .02

o0ICE0o said:

...So lathes are extremely dangerous?
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
If I was to get one, I have a question:
By capacity, does it mean the largest diameter bar stock it can hold?

Click to expand...

So...?

^^^ Found this on the link mkdive listed above your post.

The designations 7x10, 7x12 and 7x14 refer to the maximum diameter and length (in inches) of a workpiece that the lathe can work on. All three lathes can rotate a 7" diameter workpiece up to approximately 10, 12, or 14 inches long, depending on the model.

Thank you.

o0ICE0o said:

...So lathes are extremely dangerous?
Even the little ones?

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I would exercise caution and safety with any power tools regardless of size, its just a good habit to get into. Of course there is going to be "less" danger with a mini lathe....but the danger is still there. Wear saftey glasses (you are working with metal shavings). Also just like when using a drill press....even though you make think wearing gloves will protect you....they can catch on the machine and wrap your hand into it (better off no gloves), I know some will disagree with me on that. Pay attention to loose clothing, and shirt sleeves. Read the instruction manual & practice some common sense and you should be good to go. I don't want to scare you away from using a lathe, it's just I have actually witnessed two of my friends get "bit" by a fast movement or a quick "not thinking moment". Both walked away lucky (all fingers attached). But it reminded them & and me of what could happen!

The lathe accident I was referring to....(I wont post a link). But should you want to see what can go wrong....just google "lathe accident". The first site should give you some VERY GRAPHIC pictures. I say again....WARNING... VERY GRAPHIC PICTURES!

Excerpt from a safety website about lathes: Website link

"One of the most common causes of hand injuries is contact with cutting edges. The cutting edge may be moving, which is very dangerous, but even an edge that is not moving can inflict a severe cut if you move your hand over it very fast. When operating a lathe, you should not wear anything on your hands, fingers, or forearms -- this includes long sleeves and gloves. Short sleeves should be worn in the shop, or long sleeves should be rolled up above the elbows. Gloves may be worn only when handling sharp pieces of material, and not near operating machinery. They should always be removed before any machine in the area is started. Long hair should be tied back. Also, loose clothing should not be worn."

Pretty big for diameter don't you think?

That one will work just fine if you want to make the plastic parts for a laser, battery connection, switch mount. but that's all it's good for, O' yea wood also...

About that safety website, in figure 1 and apron has some plus and minus's depending what your workshop is like. A apron is considered loose clothing since a gust of wind or a fan can blow it upwards towards the lathe. Just throwing that out there, don't want to start any arguments. Its just that my friend walked into my enclosed workshop with one window open while I was using a drill press with a apron on, the window was about 15 feet away or so when he opened the door and my apron went up from wind from outside and my apron got caught in the drill press. All that happened really is it made a hole in the apron. No harm to me, since then though I haven't used a apron, I just usually tie a string to any loose clothing on me when working with a power tool.

Can I use - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
with
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

silent wolf said:

About that safety website, in figure 1 and apron has some plus and minus's depending what your workshop is like. A apron is considered loose clothing since a gust of wind or a fan can blow it upwards towards the lathe. Just throwing that out there, don't want to start any arguments. Its just that my friend walked into my enclosed workshop with one window open while I was using a drill press with a apron on, the window was about 15 feet away or so when he opened the door and my apron went up from wind from outside and my apron got caught in the drill press. All that happened really is it made a hole in the apron. No harm to me, since then though I haven't used a apron, I just usually tie a string to any loose clothing on me when working with a power tool.

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I totally agree, I personally never wear an apron. But I agree on the no loose clothing.