Does anybody Know a cheap metal lathe?

[Zippiot]

Looking for something small, less than 300 bux
Metal lathe not wood!

Any ideas?

[hagent]

Check out Harbour Frieght.

They have one.



Cheers,

http://www.harborfreight.com/

[Mark]

I have one like that one only it is 12 inches between centers. I use it all the time to drill perfectly centered holes in jam jar lids and for other odds and ends. I really find it very useful for so many little tasks. Every pulsejetter should have one I think, they hardly take up any space and you can really be creative, doing tasks very quickly.
The one I bought was from Grizzly.com but of course they are both made in China. I also bought a bigger lathe from Grizzly too. It's 3 feet between centers.
Mark
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93212
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8688
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G4003
And this sounds funny, but I think this lathe looks pretty, the proportions, it's just like my big lathe only a foot shorter. To me, everything seems pleasant to the eye. Imagine buying a lathe for it's looks. ha I opted for another foot though. Imagine what you could buy though if you really had some money. A whole shop and people to make your parts, at your whim. Ideas are the hard part.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G4002/images
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2007/Main/529

[hagent]

Hey Mark,

Are you able to cut threads with your lathe?

I don't think you can do that with this one.

[Mark]

There are some tips, I lifted this paragraph from page two, see the topic "cutting screw threads."
"Cutting Screw Threads
With the supplied gears, the lathe can cut a variety of threads - many more, in fact, than are listed on the chart on the gear cover. Metric threads can also be cut within reasonable accuracy, using the appropiate combinations of gears. Check out Varmint Al's site for good info on these ratios and gear cutting. For a detailed tutorial on thread cutting, you may wish to subscribe to the Premium Content Threading page"
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Fe ... atures.htm
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Fe ... ures_2.htm
I think, but don't quote me, on my big lathe the instructions/manual says "do not enjoy beer while operating lathe". You can't get that kind of insightful syntax with an American lathe. ha
Mark