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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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Metal lathes
I would like to try my hand with a metal lathe. I'm looking at a Jet model
BD-920n, the grizzly g4000, & a $799 lathe at Harbor Freight. I would like any input on the best bang for the buck between these lathes. I'm leaning toward the Jet only because I have some of their wood working machines and am pleased with them. I hear that Harbor Freight & Grizzly look about the same as Jet machines but I really don't know about the quailty of them. I'm looking to spend around $900.00 for a metal lathe. Any suggestions would help I just don't want to throw away $900.00 for a piece of junk. Thanks, Jim |
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I agree completely with what Gary said. I have the JET and I'm glad to have
it but I only paid $300 for it at an auction. However, a friend has 4 of the old South Bend 9" lathes and they're MUCH more sturdy and accurate than mine. They also have a full quick change (not all models do though!) wherease the JET/Grizzly/HF lathes have only a partial quick change. And last but hardly least the SB's have power crossfeed but the others do not. As for the difference between the JET, Grizzly and HF models, I haven't used the HF but I've looked one over pretty well in the store and I just don't see why the JET is so much more expensive. Of course JET is better as far as support and availability of parts but probably not worth the $300 price difference. HF often puts theirs on sale for $699. If you're not in a gotta-have-it-now!! mode you should be able to find a good used lathe that will serve you well. You just need to arm yourself with a few buying tips so you won't waste your money on a boat anchor. There is a site with a good guide to buying a used lathe but I can't remember the link so hopefully someone else will provide it. Here's a link for some good info on the smaller lathes that Gary mentioned: http://www.mini-lathe.com/ One other thing I should point out though is that the lathe itself is only part of the expense. You'll need tooling and accessories to get any real use out of it. :-) Best Regards, Keith Marshall "Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers (1879-1935). "Jim" wrote in message .. . I would like to try my hand with a metal lathe. I'm looking at a Jet model BD-920n, the grizzly g4000, & a $799 lathe at Harbor Freight. I would like any input on the best bang for the buck between these lathes. I'm leaning toward the Jet only because I have some of their wood working machines and am pleased with them. I hear that Harbor Freight & Grizzly look about the same as Jet machines but I really don't know about the quailty of them. I'm looking to spend around $900.00 for a metal lathe. Any suggestions would help I just don't want to throw away $900.00 for a piece of junk. Thanks, Jim |
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Gary Coffman wrote in message . ..
On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 03:23:18 GMT, (Jim) wrote: I would like to try my hand with a metal lathe. I'm looking at a Jet model BD-920n, the grizzly g4000, & a $799 lathe at Harbor Freight. I would like any input on the best bang for the buck between these lathes. I'm leaning toward the Jet only because I have some of their wood working machines and am pleased with them. I hear that Harbor Freight & Grizzly look about the same as Jet machines but I really don't know about the quailty of them. I'm looking to spend around $900.00 for a metal lathe. Any suggestions would help I just don't want to throw away $900.00 for a piece of junk. Then find yourself an old Southbend or Logan. That'll get you a much better machine for the same or less money. I can't agree more, other than adding Atlas to your list. Having had access to several Chinese lathes (including a JET) at work, I wanted something better for my home machine. Since I really had no need to turn anthing longer than about 12" inches in length, I purchased one of the classic model Atlas 12" x 24" on eBay for $1,250...a bit more than I had been considering, but well worth the difference. [To the original poster:] Still, when you purchase a lathe realize that the tooling and accessories that you'll likely want/need can add up to more than the cost of the lathe. Before buying any lathe, it's prudent to check the eBay listings for accessories, cutting tools and holders, milling adapters, collet sets, chucks, etc. Here, there are by far more things available for South Bend, Logan and Atlas, then for any of the Chinese products. If you're new to this sort of hobby, be forewarned that your need for more and more metal working machines grows like Cancer! Get too cozy with you lathe and the next thing you know you will be lusting for a horizontal milling machine, a surface grinder, and ultimately a Bridgeport or Cincinatti vertical milling machine. God forbid your reaching the point in this disease where you can't live without owning a computer controlled machine or two...or three! (At this point you'll obviously need a larger, custom constructed workshop.) I tell you, it's more addictive than Ham Radio, RCM Planes and cars, booze, sex and about anything of which I can think. Still, if you have a family and they support you in this, go for it. I can think of many far less productive hobbies that you could get involved with, such as stamp or antique collecting! Good luck with your lathe purchase, and most of all have fun with it no matter what your final decision to buy is. Harry C. |
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I can't agree more, other than adding Atlas to your list.
Quite right. They get blasted by the HLV and 10EE guys in some places, but they're great little lathes and are easy to regrind. The best "feature" of the Atlas is how many tons of them were sold. Find some old crabby hobby machinist and he probably has a trunk of parts for his. That's how I got stuff for mine. If you are looking at an Atlas, just try for a roller bearing headstock. Babbit looks good out of the box but at 50 years you're pushing it. snip Good luck with your lathe purchase, and most of all have fun with it no matter what your final decision to buy is. Harry GTO(John) |
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