So I'm ready to get a metal lathe. Most of the parts I make are small, mostly less than 12" long and rarely larger than 2" in diameter. I have been looking at all I can find on the web and it's time to ask someone some questions and get some suggestions.
I'm looking for the smallest lathe out there with the following features:
1. Quick change tool post (not the square multi tool one)
2. Automatic cross feed and length feed
3. Levers or dials to change the feed rates and spindle speeds (no gear changes), is that a gear head?
Those are my biggest wish list.
I have been looking at the Grizzly G4002 but it's a little big, I don't need a 1000 pound lathe.
What do you all suggest?
Thanks,
Jeff
The answer depends so much on a few points.
What is the maximum size you want to swing, not now, but in the future. A very hard question to answer.
What is the longest length you will want to work with, as above.
What about threads, imperial as in British or American, and or Metric. USA will eventually get there.
What is your budget.
How much room do you have.
Unless you are only ever going to be working on very small miniature model type stuff, then my general advice is to get the biggest that will fit in the space you have and best you can afford. That will generally mean something in the 1016 to 1440 size range.
Without any doubt, the machines from Taiwan are far superior to those from China, even though many look very similar and have similar specs.
The floor in your workshop must be considered if it's not concrete, then you must consider how much weight it can safely carry without flexing.
I consider a fully geared headstock a must, variable speed motors are ok on small lathes, but lack power for larger machines. As is a quick change gearbox for feeds and threads..Ability to cut inch threads as well as metric. A fixed and travelling steady are almost essential, large spindle bore is very important. QCTP is nice, but not a deal breaker, they can always be added to any reasonable sized lathe, long and cross power feed with separate feed shaft, not using lead screw is important as is a feed reverse tumbler. Ability to run lathe in reverse is nice but not essential. Avoid screw on chucks D1-4 or similar cam lock chuck is the way to go.
Have a good look around and when you see something you like, ask on this forum, bound to be plenty of members with experience on that particular machine.
