which mini lathe to get?

upTheHill

upTheHill

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I've decided to get a mini lathe for my shop. I will be using it primarily to thread in inside and outside of aluminum tubes and spacers, and to make small parts like transfer ports for airguns, also out of aluminum.

I think, I decided on either the micro mark 7x16 or the grizzly 9 x 19

does anyone have a preference or think theres a better one for threading? tubes will be primarily a 1.5" OD, 1.25" ID or a 1.0" OD, .875" ID

TIA, Dave
 
Hey, I'm not real familiar with the lathe types you mention, but a few years ago, we purchased two of the harbor freight type 7" lathes and I was very disappointed with them. Almost immediately one of the DC motors burned up and it stopped working, and the other one had so much play in the slide that it was difficult to get a good cut on anything. We would try to snug up the set screws that tighten the shims on the dovetail slide, and it would lock up after moving about an inch. Back then the small lathes were about $400, but they have gone up in price pretty consistantly. For this price, I think you could buy a "real" used lathe that is capable of doing everything you need and more. Not much help, but that was my experience with the mini lathes.
 
I have the micromark 7x14, and I like it. I am actually going to get rid of it soon, as I just updated to a larger lathe. It is a capable little machine as long as you don't push it too hard, and the stuff you mention is well within it's capability. All of the lathes in these sizes (7x, 9x) are more or less the same with different paint jobs on them. Some come with additional features, and varying degrees of finish. Harbor freight is generally considered to be the "low end" on build quality. I like the MM and have heard others say the same. Grizzly also has a good rep for support and build quality.

In general, if you have the space, and the cash, go for the larger machine.
 
I've seen the 7x10 and the 9x20 at Harbor Freight and the 7x looks like a cool little machine. The 9x20 looks like it could be more useful in size and features. I like the gear threading features and there are a lot of good info out there for adding features and improving. Really depends on budget, room available and how big you want to be able to handle. I say bigger the better. Remember the additional tooling and things you will need will add up quick they say it will cost as much as the machine... I'm finding out I need (or want) more than that.

the 7x, 9x20 were on my list I ended up getting a 3-in-1 lathe mill drill. This way with limited budget and space I've got all I need to work on relatively modest size pieces. Plus the 3 in 1 was a discontinued model that I got for a steal brand new.
 
thanks for all the info guys, I'm good on space, it's the budget that I'm a tight on. I ralize that I will probably replace whatever I get in a couple of years with a larger one, but need to start out small.

Dave
 
I have a HF mini and it has done very well for me. $499. less 20%. Not the best quality, but the price is right.
 
autonoz said:
I have a HF mini and it has done very well for me. $499. less 20%. Not the best quality, but the price is right.
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i think you just convinced me, especially since theres a harbor freight store winthin a short drive, and they're in new hampshire which has no sales tax. I'll be driving over ther tomorrow to look at it, what are the must have tools / parts I should get at the same time. my 1st projects will be turning and threading aluminum tubes.
 
If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye out on Craigslist. These lathes come up pretty often, especially the 9x series, and you can often get them for quite a bit less than new.
 
DMS said:
If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye out on Craigslist. These lathes come up pretty often, especially the 9x series, and you can often get them for quite a bit less than new.
Click to expand...

not up in my neck of the woods. hardly see any lathes or mills, except old 50+ year old beaters for top $
 
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