I recently bought a new 7x12 Clarke (Sieg) minilathe, because it was
available locally (no shipping) and it was a reasonable price: $383US plus
local sales tax 6%.
The differences you may find by looking at various vendors, is that certain
features may vary slightly, and the number of included accessories vary.
Other than these differences, almost all 7x10 to 7x14 models will
essentially be the same except for the length of the bed/between centers
dimension (and paint colors).
The Busy Bee B1979C shows a 2 year warranty. Vendor support may be a
determining factor due to the location of the buyer.
Some 7x models may have all plastic gears. On one model I saw, the internal
headstock gear was "metal" (possibly die-cast zinc alloy) but the external
change gears were plastic.
Little Machineshop sells steel gears for many/all of the 7x models.
Some accessory packages include the steady and traveling rests and a
faceplate, or an additional chuck, so be aware of those differences.
The Taig accessories are fairly expensive, and as accessories go, the user
will generally want or need another, and another.
Accessories for the minilathes are somewhat more commonly available, and
usually more generic.
Parts and accessories for the 7x models are available from numerous sources,
although the prices vary considerably for certain items.
http://www.mini-lathe.com/
http://www.varmintal.com/alath.htm
http://www.cartertools.com/jose02.html
http://littlemachineshop.com/Products/product_new.php
Something I discovered while looking at minilathe accessories is that a MT3
to 3C adapter and drawtubes are available for using 3C collets with the 7x
models instead of using Morse Taper 3 collets.
These adapters are for use in any machine that has a MT3 spindle with a 3/4"
(.750") thru hole. This includes 7x models, South Bend and the 9x20 series
lathes.
The 3C collets are self-releasing, so they don't need to be driven/tapped
out like the locking MT collets do.
Additionally, the 3C collets allow the material to pass thru the collet,
which MT collets don't. This allows longer lengths of material to be fed
thru the headstock.
There are several suppliers of 3C collets in round, hex and square sizes.
--
WB
..........
metalworking projects
www.kwagmire.com/metal_proj.html
"Michael Koblic" wrote in message
...
The continuing saga of a miser looking for a "wonderlathe":
1)
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...330,50260&ap=1
I have a motor and lots of 1/4" tools of uncertain provenance. Would need
a chuck for the headstock and probably compound slide from this selection:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...330,50260&ap=1
I have heard good things about this. It would take care of small parts
(steel, 3/4" diameter). I am not sure how specialized and therefore
obtainable the parts are.
2) http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=B1979C
The apparent cost is over double of the Taig, but it comes with a motor, a
compound, 3-jaw chuck etc. which closes the dollar gap considerably. Lower
speeds, therefore almost three times the diameter can be handled, screw
cutting, auto feed etc.
The nearest mini is $200 more. Why, oh why, the short distance between
centres?
All in all, it seems that No.2 will do everything the No.1 will and much
more for a slightly greater sum. Does this make sense?
--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC