Mini metal lathes

I own a 7x12 mini lathe, picked it up off eBay brand new for $300AUD (a fucking steal). It's fairly decent for its size but a quick change toolpost, tail stock chuck and a quality set of tooling is a must. It can do anything a full sized lathe can do normally, just don't expect it to cut large ferrous material to well.

I didn't buy it for laser stuff though. The only down sides the small lathes have is the lack of torque and the annoying method to change gears. The through hole is small as is the length and there are a few other annoying things (offsetting the toolpost) but overall they are good for small work. I'm not sure about others but mine is incredibly accurate (after pulling it apart and giving it a service mind you).


When I eventually move to a bigger residence with 3 phase power a decent mill and lathe along with a new tig welder are on my shopping list.



That's a old photo, got plenty more kit now.

After spending most of my Saturday in a fully kitted out machine shop with a mate of mine, i REALLY want a lathe. Made a few heatsinks so easily!

lasersbee said:

[quote author=Dark_Horse link=1227218225/0#13 date=1227461607][quote author=lasersbee link=1227218225/0#12 date=1227457768][quote author=Xplorer877 link=1227218225/0#11 date=1227457021]$400 for a lathe is a good price but if all I'm gonna make is MXDL heatsinks I don't think so. Lol!!! ;D

Click to expand...

I don't know..... you sell 20 custom heat sinks for $20.00 a piece....
and the Lathe is paid for.... : : :[/quote]

Heads-up- you will be buying more than a just the mini-lathe to make heatsinks, or about anything else. You need tooling and support-machines, how would you grind your cutting-tools without a grinder, or drill your set-screw holes without a mill, or at least a nice drill-press and vice. I have talked to many people who bought a lathe and were then surprised at how much they had to buy next to be able to do anything with it. The best-bet is maybe to buy a used set-up that comes with lots of tooling. Otherwise E-bay has some nice "mini-tooling" packages, these would help get you started.

The mini-machine are really cool sometimes though, I spent the other evening, machining in my kitchen on my little Unimat
[/quote]

OK..... OK....    So... 50 custom made heat sinks to pay for the Lathe and other equipment...
and that doesn't include the aluminum stock.......... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  

The point is.... you can pay off your investment... by using your investment...  

there IS an ROI....
[/quote]

Ha ha! ;D Yeah

Hot tip: Don't buy the carbide tools in my photo, they are not really designed for small lathes. They are designed for fast turning on bigger lathes, using them at the wrong speed will just fuck the tips. Great for doing lots of small passes to remove metal quickly but your better off buying some quality HSS and grinding your own.

And ditto to the extra machinery, you can get away with a basic bench drill press, vice, bench grinder and a hacksaw.


https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products?stockCode=L187D

If only I had the room, with good machinery you generally use the same tool for about 25+ years so the price really isn't that bad