Mini metal lathes any good?

[Misterg]

they definitely turn steel (just)

They're capable of turning a lot of things if you take your time:

817M40T (EN24T)





0.004mm TIR at the centre of the shaft. Bearing journals to 0.002mm





No detectable runout on the shaft. 0.004 mm runout on a tool mounted in the ER collet holder machined in the end. Bearing journals lapped to 0.001mm.


304 Stainless










440C Stainless






Bearing races






Induction hardened leadscrew (not an experience I'd like to repeat, in fairness!)




Hastelloy X nickel alloy








All made on a 7x14 mini lathe (mostly with carbide tooling), and I am by no means 'god's gift' to machining.

Don't discount them if you haven't got the space / money for anything bigger. Any lathe is better than no lathe

 

[mrsbruce]

I have the Clarke cl300m 7 x 14, and it does me. As has been said, if you are willing to be patient, and take your time, it will cut nigh on anything (within reason). It took a bit of setting up, and you have to be a bit more creative (and patient), but mine has done everything I’ve asked of it so far.

 

[not done it yet]

Agreed, I’ve only got a Raglan Little John lathe, it’s not perfect but more than adequate for my diy bodgery. Don’t understand how I lived without one

I’m similar to Parm - I had a Little John but upgraded to a very good example of Raglan’s 5”. Nothing against the L/J but the later model had several worthwhile improvements.

They are also far better value (IMO) than a myford (excepting, perhaps, the 254 - but those are now really pricey). They were a definite cut above the myfords of the day - costing near twice as much due to their superiority in quality and ability.

I would not be without variable speed and screw cutting gearbox, but that is my choice. I have variable electronic speed control as well as mechanical. The lathe has an auto-trip, on the long travel, and power cross feed. Tapered roller bearings and the hardened ways are other things to consider as plusses. Obviously 5” centre-height is yet another possible advantage.

The only down-side, c/f a myford ML7, is that it is much more heavily built and so slightly longer and considerably heavier. The huge up-side is that they seem to sell at much under-inflated prices than myfords.

I would likely have bought a Boxford, if not a Raglan, but I’m completely happy with my choice and will not change it.

 

[Martin Hocking]

They're capable of turning a lot of things if you take your time:

Bold, shiny, accurate…

The finest homage to a roll of toilet paper I’ve ever seen!

I love it.

 

[not done it yet]

Personally, I wonder about the quoted/suggested precision/accuracy from any standard lathe - mini or otherwise.

It is the operator who might achieve 0.002mm - by careful finishing procedures - not the lathe, to achieve that sort of tolerance on the dimension. Lapping is not really a ‘normal’ turning operation.

 

[Chippie]

Lapping is not really a ‘normal’ turning operation.

Since when?…..That process is used in making/assembling small engines, there are probably other examples of the process….which use a lathe whether it be a mini or a behemoth..,