I got a New Lathe!

I bought a 12x36 metal lathe at Harbor Frieght. What I went through to get it home.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Metal
• lathe
• life
• death
• ageing

[aryesegal1988]

They say South Bend Lathes and Bridgeport Mills are the best ones available, each in their own category. Is that really so? Sales-wise, is there any other manufacturer that has more sales than these two I've just mentioned? Thanks a ton, guys! :) Just looking to get the best of the best available out there.

[beatnic50]

From your question I assume you don't have any experience with machine tools. If you are just starting and don't have a mentor near by you should spend your dough on a small lathe. That way you can train yourself without getting hurt too bad (small cuts). Once you start to figure it out, then you will know what you want (or need).

[beatnic50]

I had a 9x20 in my basement. My wife hated it. She was glad I moved out to the garage. Can you imagine anyone wasting garage space by storing cars in it? ;~)

[beatnic50]

My rational is that it is much safer than a Harley.

[sandysandy9911]

thats quite a small lathe no offence ment but wen i get a lathe im getting a "cnc" lathe they are mutch better

[beatnic50]

I have ran large lathes. It's kind of exciting. It also can be rather dangerous. If I was you I'd work up to it. I've ran CNC mills, but never got to run a CNC lathe. I'm seriously considering adding CNC to my mill/drill. I have a friend who mounted his 9x20 lathe on his mill and used the X and Y controls to position the tool. I t worked great. There is a article about doing that in the "Digital Machinist" magazine too. I have no plans now to have a separate CNC lathe.

[conmanumber1]

THE CHINESE MADE LATHES ARE O.K, BUT U MAY NEED TO CHECK CHUCK HEAD BEARINGS FOR CORRECT PRELOAD , OR FOR THE MORE PRECISE U MAY NEED TO UPGRADE THE BEARINGS TO GRADE / CLASS 1 EXTRA PRECISION BEARINGS AND THE PRELOAD TO CORRECT SPECS AS PRE BEARING..... COMPANIES THAT DO MACHINE TOOL BEARINGS ARE... BARDEN,INA OR SKF ETC.

OH! BY THE WAY U NEED TO SET LATHE ON SUBSTANTIAL CONK BASE AND ALSO NEED TO GROUT BASE AFTER LEVELING WITH AUTO LEVEL ON BOTH AXIS OF BED LENGTH.

[211Alucard]

Is the Harbor Freight Lathe good.Because I notice that most of the lathe come from China.I am not one of those people that talk bad about China.I want to get a lathe.I was thinking about the Grizzly,Shop Fox,and the Harbor Freight.I was more of thinking of the Harbor Freight model because there is a lot of there store in town and I can see what I am getting instead of online lathe.

[ymeunier]

nice lathe, just bought me an antique one, 1874 !!, good luck....

[plutominusone]

good for you buddy

[caerleon87]

Good for you!! Should have done it years ago. Hope you love your new toy!!!

[foxdmulder]

well done, years of happy turning :))

[MASSEY4201]

COOL I hope you put some of your projects on you tube

[camochannel1]

coooooooooooooool