On Apr 2, 3:11*pm, Gunner Asch wrote:
I got an email from a pistol smith buddy of mine who is looking for a
very small lathe..something with a footprint under 3 feet:

"Hi buddy.
Can you give me your opinion please.
Are these junk, or usable for me?
Can I turn 1.5" on them?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350747008678

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250978927093

Or is something this better for me?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111027293774

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251243228471"

Ive had zero experience with the little ones so dont have a clue as to
suitibility of any of them.

Anyone have any comments?

Ive been trying to find him a decent small South Bend or similar with
little luck. *He has very tight quarters and only works on pistols

Gunner

Little Machine Shop now turns out a product-improved version of those
Sieg lathes that HF and Griz has sold for many years. They're 7x
whatever, usually 10-12". The beds are more like a large lathe, the
headstock takes #3 Morse taper, tailstock is #2, so more like a big
machine made small. I've turned 6" cast iron rounds for faceplates,
mounting flanges and chuck mounts on the HF I have. Took some very
sharp HSS tools to do, but it worked. These are about the largest
lathes that can be slung onto a shelf. LMS has had a "stretch" bed
kit for the HF lathes that extends to like 24". Has the longer bed, a
longer lead screw, longer tray, a splash plate, a few fasteners and
instructions. I've run mine off a hefty inverter and a 12 v battery,
so backwoods operation is possible. Stick it on top of a Workmate and
turn anywhere. These are miles better as far as stiffness than the
old Atlas 6" or AA-Sears jobbies. Not as cheap as they once were, got
mine for under $200 on sale with a 50% off coupon.

Stan