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First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
I'm getting ready to acquire my first lathe. Basic requirements are to be
able to turn up to 5" diameter stock with a length of 12". For the most part I'm turning plastics and PVC but I will use it for Aluminum and steel turning too. I've read some (many) postings from the group and I'm narrowing down my choices to either the * Grizzly G4000 9" x 19" Bench Lathe, or the * LATHEMASTER 9 X 20 - Gear Drive Benchtop Lathe, or the * LATHEMASTER 8 X 14 MINI LATHE, or a * Used Atlas Lathe (available locally to me). I would welcome whatever comments someone may want to offer. BTW, I'm in the Boston Suburbs so if anyone wants to offer a lathe for sale I'll be happy to listen. Thanks in advance, John (I like hot food and scuba diving, though not necessarily at the same time!) |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
"John" wrote in message news:CvMyb.379273$HS4.3125862@attbi_s01...
For what you state you wish to turn, no 9" lathe will be big enough. The 9" lathes made now are all limited in low speeds, and while you may do plastics without many problems, for steel, even the low speeds on a 12" lathe could stand to be slower. I won't state for sure, but I doubt that any of them you have mentioned will even swing 5" over the cross slide. The Atlas, if a 12 inch will do it, even might handle steel in low belt back gear at 5 inch diameter. You're gonna have to think bigger. I'm getting ready to acquire my first lathe. Basic requirements are to be able to turn up to 5" diameter stock with a length of 12". For the most part I'm turning plastics and PVC but I will use it for Aluminum and steel turning too. I've read some (many) postings from the group and I'm narrowing down my choices to either the * Grizzly G4000 9" x 19" Bench Lathe, or the * LATHEMASTER 9 X 20 - Gear Drive Benchtop Lathe, or the * LATHEMASTER 8 X 14 MINI LATHE, or a * Used Atlas Lathe (available locally to me). I would welcome whatever comments someone may want to offer. BTW, I'm in the Boston Suburbs so if anyone wants to offer a lathe for sale I'll be happy to listen. Thanks in advance, John (I like hot food and scuba diving, though not necessarily at the same time!) |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
Thanks for the reply, Lennie.
I'll only be turning large diameter *plastic* and, at that, just doing things like cutting o-ring grooves or facing. As far as turning metals, my max diameter will be around an inch or less. "Lennie the Lurker" wrote in message m... "John" wrote in message news:CvMyb.379273$HS4.3125862@attbi_s01... For what you state you wish to turn, no 9" lathe will be big enough. The 9" lathes made now are all limited in low speeds, and while you may do plastics without many problems, for steel, even the low speeds on a 12" lathe could stand to be slower. I won't state for sure, but I doubt that any of them you have mentioned will even swing 5" over the cross slide. The Atlas, if a 12 inch will do it, even might handle steel in low belt back gear at 5 inch diameter. You're gonna have to think bigger. I'm getting ready to acquire my first lathe. Basic requirements are to be able to turn up to 5" diameter stock with a length of 12". For the most part I'm turning plastics and PVC but I will use it for Aluminum and steel turning too. I've read some (many) postings from the group and I'm narrowing down my choices to either the * Grizzly G4000 9" x 19" Bench Lathe, or the * LATHEMASTER 9 X 20 - Gear Drive Benchtop Lathe, or the * LATHEMASTER 8 X 14 MINI LATHE, or a * Used Atlas Lathe (available locally to me). I would welcome whatever comments someone may want to offer. BTW, I'm in the Boston Suburbs so if anyone wants to offer a lathe for sale I'll be happy to listen. Thanks in advance, John (I like hot food and scuba diving, though not necessarily at the same time!) |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
John,
My first (and probably last) real lathe is an Atlas/Craftsman 12" without a quick-change gearbox. It is rigid enough for my turning needs and the 12" swing gives a lot of extra room for unusual jobs. It came with a 4-jaw chuck, and I only recently got a 3-jaw. All in all, a very nice and versatile machine. A smaller lathe would be good for turning only, but the Atlas/Craftsman, with a milling attachment and a drawbar collet closer for endmills is a very useful combination. Hope this helps. Jim Don't raise the bridge, lower the water |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
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First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
Thanks Ben.
These are good links to feedback from "real" users. "Ben" wrote in message om... Lathemaster http://www.tedatum.com/thms/lathemaster.html http://stickman4.homestead.com/8x14lathe.html http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe..._7x.htm#lm8x14 |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
Thanks Jim.
I'm not sure the used Atlas that I'm going to look at has a milling attachment but I know I will be needing to machine some recangular cut-outs as part of the projects I'm working on. Regards, John "Pookie45678" wrote in message ... John, My first (and probably last) real lathe is an Atlas/Craftsman 12" without a quick-change gearbox. It is rigid enough for my turning needs and the 12" swing gives a lot of extra room for unusual jobs. It came with a 4-jaw chuck, and I only recently got a 3-jaw. All in all, a very nice and versatile machine. A smaller lathe would be good for turning only, but the Atlas/Craftsman, with a milling attachment and a drawbar collet closer for endmills is a very useful combination. Hope this helps. Jim Don't raise the bridge, lower the water |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
In article , Gunner says...
Lathe.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 !!!!! I like that one. A bit big for my pickup though. If he's not interested in threading, this is nice: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2577262749&category=12 72 Jim ================================================== please reply to: JRR(zero) at yktvmv (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com ================================================== |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
Thanks Gunner....
One link made me aware of a sales operation in Pawtucket, RI which is about one hour away from me.... convenient! "Gunner" wrote in message ... On 1 Dec 2003 23:17:00 -0800, (Ben) wrote: Lathemaster http://www.tedatum.com/thms/lathemaster.html http://stickman4.homestead.com/8x14lathe.html http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe..._7x.htm#lm8x14 Lathe http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=63 3 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=63 3 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 !!!!! "No man shall be debarred the use of arms. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm those only who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They ought to be designated as laws not preventative but fearful of crimes, produced by the tumultuous impression of a few isolated facts, and not by thoughtful consideration of the inconveniences and advantages of a universal decree." - Thomas Jefferson |
First lathe: Grizzly, Lathemaster, or used Atlas?
On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 13:05:55 GMT, "John"
wrote: Thanks Gunner.... One link made me aware of a sales operation in Pawtucket, RI which is about one hour away from me.... convenient! Chuckle...I posted the listing (spanning only about 4 days), just on stuff under $1500 which is what was apparently the buyers spending limit. I figure, and perhaps Im all washed up...that buying a "real" lathe is much better than buying something that not only subsidizes a hostile nation, but one that is questionable about its quality, versatility and utility. Particularly when there are so many decent "real" lathes out there for peanuts (all things considered) Gunner "Gunner" wrote in message .. . On 1 Dec 2003 23:17:00 -0800, (Ben) wrote: Lathemaster http://www.tedatum.com/thms/lathemaster.html http://stickman4.homestead.com/8x14lathe.html http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe..._7x.htm#lm8x14 Lathe http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=63 3 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=63 3 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=12 72 !!!!! "No man shall be debarred the use of arms. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm those only who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They ought to be designated as laws not preventative but fearful of crimes, produced by the tumultuous impression of a few isolated facts, and not by thoughtful consideration of the inconveniences and advantages of a universal decree." - Thomas Jefferson "No man shall be debarred the use of arms. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm those only who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They ought to be designated as laws not preventative but fearful of crimes, produced by the tumultuous impression of a few isolated facts, and not by thoughtful consideration of the inconveniences and advantages of a universal decree." - Thomas Jefferson |
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