Machinist Lathe?

[Revved]

Ok so in talking to a friend i found out he has been shopping combination mill/lathes so I figured I'd do some looking as well. I've read the arguments about how combining them limits the use compared to dedicated units but again I'm only doing small items. Anyone own a combo Mill/ Lathe?

Talking to my machinist his biggest concern would be the HP for cutting steel items. As you guys mentioned above if you don't have enough hp you just end up killing cutting bits and your work piece. We all know horsepower is important in life... just another example.

Baleigh does have a 120v combo unit rated at 1 hp.

http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/...lathe-mld-1030

I did find this one which comes 220v capable with a 1.5hp motor.

http://www.boltonhardware.com/catego...ing-system.php


The more I read the more I'm steering away from the 9x20" lathes reading how in stepping up to the 13"x 40ish sizes the quality of machine improves greatly even in China brands. Stronger machine, better tolerances, etc..

[David Pozzi]

I'd go 13" minimum. A larger lathe will use a larger chuck, which means a larger center hole to grab larger workpieces without having them stick way out & be unstable.
You can get more bang for your buck going with used equipment as long as it isn't worn out. There are small machinery dealers who buy out closing shops & sell off the equipment. Don't forget to budget money for tooling. I bought an off brand tool grinder which really helps sharpen to the correct angle. I use a quick change Aloris tool post. I have a 15" lathe & it does 99% of what I need done.
Here's a website with equipment. http://www.machinetools.com/us

[Sparks67]

Here is some places to find lathes. The best lathes are built in the USA. Not sure, why anyone would even look for Chinese brand. I primary used mills, when I was in Tool & Die in the late 1980's. I prefer a 30 year old Bridgeport mill any day over these imports. Anyway, here is some places to buy used lathes and mills.
http://www.toolmachine.com/

http://www.surplusrecord.com/srg/010520.htm

http://www.machinetools.com/us/listi...=cn%3Ad&page=1


Jeff

[GregWeld]

The problem for most "HOME" shops is that the REAL machines are 3 phase - and or can be industrial voltages. Then they require all manor of extra stuff to fire 'em up such as converters etc. Then the issue also becomes space as even the smaller industrial equipment is large -- and HEAVY.

However --- I couldn't agree more about your chinese sentiments and buying a good old used version over a cheap azz new one.


I will say -- owning a mill/drill (2 hp single phase Jet) that this is quite the handy machine and the drill press has been relegated to a shelf ever since.... but to call it a "mill" is just sorta wrong. It's really just a super nice drill press. Yes it will 'mill' off some material -- and frankly -- works great for what most home hot rodders are going to be capable of - which is - making a part fit by taking a bit off etc. No way would I make a part with it although I could if I wanted to spend the time. Most of our parts are not down to the 10 thousandths. What it's best at - because of the X Y axis - is to do super accurate holes (drilling or with roto bits... or to slot something etc.

I'd far prefer to own a nice old Bridgeport!

Two best machines in my shed are the Burr Kings... compare these two machines to the "attachment" I bought for a buddy because he helped me on a project -- that turns a bench grinder into a 2" belt grinder...

http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool...1#.UTNk4KUlswE


and it's just OMG are you kidding me. Still.... if it's all ya got - it will work. There is a substantial difference in cost. I personally have the dime and the space to buy what I want - and view it as an "investment in my hobby". I totally get that most aren't so lucky with either the space or being able to pizz away a couple grand on a single machine. There's so many of them that we "need"!



The Burr Kings I referenced..... Just so people not familiar can see what I'm talking about. Below that is the Jet Mill/ Drill

[Sparks67]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

The problem for most "HOME" shops is that the REAL machines are 3 phase - and or can be industrial voltages. Then they require all manor of extra stuff to fire 'em up such as converters etc. Then the issue also becomes space as even the smaller industrial equipment is large -- and HEAVY.

A friend's father is former Tool & Die Maker for General Motors. He has setup a small machine shop in his garage. He has a Bridgeport mill. Not sure on the brand of the lathe. Bridgeport's are heavy... There is posting on a guy putting a bridgeport in his basement.

I have seen Burr King in some home shops and a friends shop too. Never seen the Jet mill in a tool & die shop. There was an Enco mill in
this local steel company that I worked in the past. (25 years ago) That company had hired a former Tool Designer/Tool Maker that worked at Dayton Reliable Tool. (Ermal "Ernie" Fraze owned Dayton Reliable Tool, and his invention was developing the tooling for pop top cans)

Actually, back in the late 80's most of the machine work was done in Tool & Die shops. You really didn't need a mill or lathe at home. Bridgeport's can hold tight tolerance, but it depends on the machinist/tool maker skills. I had a temp Quality Control inspector job back in the early 90's, while I was going back to college for my Engineering degree. The other temp workers didn't know how to mic a part, so I had to stop production. The temp workers was off about .040", because of relying on the ratchet mechanism of the micrometer. The temp workers never was trained on how to accurately measure a part. They was tightening down the mic too tight.

http://bluechipmachineshop.com/bc_blog/?p=443

Here is post on moving a lathe into a basement...

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showt...lk-in-basement

Here is one of the most popular methods for the wiring. Rotary Phase Converter.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...-plans-101231/

Here is a small setup of mill and lathe in home shop. Found it on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeeutHA7n78