If anyone has been wanting to get a new mini lathe, but was put off by the
freight charges from most of the dealers, check to see if you have a local
Tractor Supply Co (TSC) for the Clarke model BT1028 "Metalworker".
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...g=true&cFlag=1

That looks like a really fuctup link, just search lathe at the TSC site
http://www.tractorsupply.com

In the last several years, the prices of small lathes have been steadily
increasing. About 5 years ago, the 7x10 mini could be found for less than
$400 from any of the dealers on a regular basis.
Then the 7x12 models started showing up, this one is stated as having 11.75"
between centers.

The TSC website shows that they were trying to sell these lathes for $540,
but the store near me (western PA) has them clearance priced at $383
(clearance sticker showing the previous price was $480).

OK, so the mini is not a fantastic machine, but the clearance price may be
the break some folks need to allow them to get started in light duty
metalworking and machining, instead of the method of using a file with the
workpiece chucked to a drill motor clamped to a bench/kitchen counter.

A few of the potentially surprising features are.. lever shift low/high
gears in the headstock, lever shift to reverse the leadscrew (no ****ing
around with a wrench), electronic variable speed control 0-1100 and 0-2500
RPM and reversible motor (no step pulleys/belt changes), E-stop switch,
inch-threads leadscrew and even a little threading dial.
The manual is decent and includes a complete list of parts and an exploded
illustration.

Several of these features are not commonly included on other small lathes..
the 9x20 lathe I got several years ago didn't have the above mentioned shift
levers, low/high gears or variable speed (although it does have a quick
change gearbox).

Yes, it's made in the factories of China, however, there are numerous online
dealers that supply lots of replacement and accessory parts for these mini
lathes.

So a few enthusiasts can get started and gain some basic experience using a
lathe, and some of those folks may one day have one of the really great
precision lathes (for which a single replacement part can cost more than
this machine).

This particular size is compact enough to move around and use almost
anywhere.

WB
..........
metalworking projects
www.kwagmire.com/metal_proj.html

Wild_Bill wrote:
If anyone has been wanting to get a new mini lathe, but was put off by
the freight charges from most of the dealers, check to see if you have a
local Tractor Supply Co (TSC) for the Clarke model BT1028 "Metalworker".
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...g=true&cFlag=1


That looks like a really fuctup link, just search lathe at the TSC site
http://www.tractorsupply.com

In the last several years, the prices of small lathes have been steadily
increasing. About 5 years ago, the 7x10 mini could be found for less
than $400 from any of the dealers on a regular basis.
Then the 7x12 models started showing up, this one is stated as having
11.75" between centers.

The TSC website shows that they were trying to sell these lathes for
$540, but the store near me (western PA) has them clearance priced at
$383 (clearance sticker showing the previous price was $480).

OK, so the mini is not a fantastic machine, but the clearance price may
be the break some folks need to allow them to get started in light duty
metalworking and machining, instead of the method of using a file with
the workpiece chucked to a drill motor clamped to a bench/kitchen counter.

A few of the potentially surprising features are.. lever shift low/high
gears in the headstock, lever shift to reverse the leadscrew (no
****ing around with a wrench), electronic variable speed control 0-1100
and 0-2500 RPM and reversible motor (no step pulleys/belt changes),
E-stop switch, inch-threads leadscrew and even a little threading dial.
The manual is decent and includes a complete list of parts and an
exploded illustration.

Several of these features are not commonly included on other small
lathes.. the 9x20 lathe I got several years ago didn't have the above
mentioned shift levers, low/high gears or variable speed (although it
does have a quick change gearbox).

Yes, it's made in the factories of China, however, there are numerous
online dealers that supply lots of replacement and accessory parts for
these mini lathes.

So a few enthusiasts can get started and gain some basic experience
using a lathe, and some of those folks may one day have one of the
really great precision lathes (for which a single replacement part can
cost more than this machine).

This particular size is compact enough to move around and use almost
anywhere.

Those are neat little lathes, and that's as good a deal on them as there
is right now, I think.
I've had one, would buy another. Even though I'm lathe-poor.

Interesting trick I saw recently was a guy had one clamped whole to his
mill and was using it for a 4th axis.

"Wild_Bill" wrote in message
...
OK, so the mini is not a fantastic machine, but the clearance price may be
the break some folks need to allow them to get started in light duty
metalworking and machining, instead of the method of using a file with the
workpiece chucked to a drill motor clamped to a bench/kitchen counter.

What? You mean others do this, too?

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

A follow-up to my earlier TSC info, the company that was Cummins (named
toolsnow presently) has a 7x12 mini that includes several more accessories
than the TSC/Clarke model for only a few bucks more (on sale $399).. the
catch is that this dealer has only a handful of stores, unless they are
taking this mini lathe out on their traveling tool sales.

http://www.toolsnow.com/browse.cfm/4,876.htm

I found a link to this lathe at this mini lathe site, which shows almost
every mini for sale in the U.S.A.

http://www.7xlathes.com/


WB
..........
metalworking projects
www.kwagmire.com/metal_proj.html


"Wild_Bill" wrote in message
...
If anyone has been wanting to get a new mini lathe, but was put off by the
freight charges from most of the dealers, check to see if you have a local
Tractor Supply Co (TSC) for the Clarke model BT1028 "Metalworker".

sniptacular

This particular size is compact enough to move around and use almost
anywhere.

On Sep 11, 7:25*pm, "Michael Koblic" wrote:
"Wild_Bill" wrote in message
...using a file with the
workpiece chucked to a drill motor clamped to a bench/kitchen counter.

What? You mean others do this, too?
Michael Koblic,

Once, that's why I bought a lathe.

"RB" wrote in message
...
Wild_Bill wrote:
snip
Those are neat little lathes, and that's as good a deal on them as there
is right now, I think.
I've had one, would buy another. Even though I'm lathe-poor.

Interesting trick I saw recently was a guy had one clamped whole to his
mill and was using it for a 4th axis.

Tormach has modified one to fit on their CNC mill table which turns it into
a CNC lathe. There are some shortcomings, but it's a cheap way to gain CNC
lathe capability if you already have a decent-sized CNC mill.