WTB a mini lathe or ask for advice on best quality to buy.

[Righton]

Another YT channel is ABOM79. been watching it from the start about 6 0r 7 years ago. 3rd Gen machinist

[GuyLuke]

Clickspring is also fantastic on Youtube. He does amazing work with his baby lathe.

https://www.youtube.com/@Clickspring

[Righton]

Dont forget Mr Pete 222, AKA Tubalcain.

[fapope]

This may be a good starting point for you: Xyandu lives in Adelaide and has been making videos of his bench lathe for years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHukTFd1Zow&t=396s

[Fire Dog]

[font=Georgia]That's a big leap up from "MINI" lathe...
Just wish I had a shop big enough and a budget to suit to have one...![/font]

This is what I run and recommend https://www.colchestermachines.au/produ ... ntre-lathe

[JAMMD]

Hey Mark5, tried to search for the TIDA, with no luck, am also looking for something small and accurate, mainly to cut screw threads on smaller sections 3/8" and smaller down to 3/16" (10mm-4mm),
cheers John

[GuyLuke]

This looks like a decent deal.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/zl691

[Hahndorf 1874]

Have had a Lam 35 B for 22 yrs ,bought it 2nd hand $1500 back then ,Had a Myford ML7 before that, Taiwan made great products ,also have a Taiwanese Drill mill, can’t imagine my shop without them. Mal.

[douwdekock]

Hi All,

This was really good advice and thank you all for commenting.... when I read MarkS's comment my recent conversation with Albert came to mind.... Everyone that knows Albert know he is a sucker for something cool and I asked him if he ever through about a lathe.... similar to Mark's comment his research led him to looking at the big stuff and therefore he has not yet pulled the trigger....

If I buy one it will not be Chines (thanks for the advice) and I may look for a good 2nd hand to play a bit and see what I can learn from it.

Best,

Douw

[MarkS]

As Mal's (Hahndorf) comment above,
for the home lathe hobbyist that wants a decent entry into metal lathes, search for a 12x24 or 12x36 metal lathe.
You can refine with words like
Lantaine LAM 350H
Tida TD4A
Jet 1236
different brand names but some are literally the same machines (all the machine that led to the one sold as the 960B at Hares or others as the LD1224/LD1236 now made by LD).
https://www.liang-dei.com.tw/product-de ... 49303.html

The classic models like LAM and TIDA pop up on Gumtree (where I found mine) and they sell quick.
Made in Taiwain and sold in Aus in the 70s, 80s and early 90s, you'll find one in excellent condition(as in less backlash than a new Chinese one) for say $3000-$4000

[Sam Walker]

Artisan Makes is another YouTube channel worth a look, he does a fair amount of stuff on a Chinese mini lathe and has recently upgraded to an AL-250.
I would like to get a good Taiwanese lathe but most I have seen are a bit too big for my workshop and too heavy for me to move safely.
A couple of good ones recently advertised on Marketplace (WA) have sold very quickly, an AL-330 for $3000 popped up while I was at the barbers waiting for a haircut and I saved it thinking I would go and have a look that day. By the time I got back in my car it was SOLD
I think that if you get into hobby machining, you will end up wanting something better than a Chinese machine but for an entry level and learning machine they are ok. Learn the basics, use it for some case prep tasks and if you get hooked on it buy a bigger better one later. And a milling machine, then you can fix/improve the Chinese one
It can be a slippery slope, much like getting into shooting

[PeteFox]

If I was going down this road, I'd be looking at something like this: https://www.gumtree.com.au/web/listing/ ... 1329385399
It's about double the spend, but: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
Something like this is a lifetime keeper.
Pete

[BATattack]

^^^ That's what I have. Excellent machine but very hard to find one in good condition and parts are horrendously expensive.

People say "buy a good quality old machine and fix it up". What they don't consider is a lathe like that literally cost the same as a SS Commodore at the time. Some of the other "tool room" level machines cost as much as a house..People didn't buy that type of machine to sit in the hobby workshop and look at. They bought them because they were going to work them hard every day and make them earn money. Some of these coveted brands / models are 50-60yrs old so they have already had several lives in that time.

I've used new and used Taiwanese and Chinese machines. Some of the 90s Taiwanese machines are kind of in the golden era. Where they were established enough to make good quality machines, before the real cost cutting and ONLY 30yrs old you might find a decent one. With the new Chinese stuff I think once you start getting to 1000kg or more they are decent. With any machine you need to set it up rite but with a Chinese machine you need to pay a bit more attention and pretty much pull it apart and re assemble while checking as you go.

[Sam Walker]

I'm seeing a bit of 'calibre creep' here the OP is about mini lathes ! It's a good thing to understand the difference between them vs the bigger and higher quality machines mentioned but I think people are not considering things like price, size, weight and three phase power can be deal breakers for some people.

Much as I would love to have a substantial tool room quality lathe, it isn't likely to happen. This is one instance where I'm ok with accepting good enough instead of perfect.

Most people who have a working background in machining would probably have a different perspective and higher standards due to their knowledge, skills and experience. All of which I respect while chiming in that for the hobbyist hacks like me, one of the better or less terrible Chinese machines has to be better than no lathe ! Think Hafco instead of Vevor/eBay, invest some time on YouTube looking into the pros and cons of it all.

I recently had a look at this one on FB Marketplace, but was hesitant due to its weight (400kg plus) and lack of info https://www.facebook.com/share/UCYnEaL6aBuLdU3g/to

I'm reasonably familiar with moving stuff around that's a lot heavier than most household items, and not having ready access to the right gear at home makes me think 250-300kg is about the max I am happy to handle. An engine hoist could pick it up but reach will be a problem.

[BATattack]

Your correct! It's all about your expectations. It's just a bit like going from Nikko Stirling to Nightforce. It's really hard to go back.

When you look at a Southbend lathe which the yanks love for hobby gunsmithing work they are a belt driven, leight weight, worn out noodle of a machine. Any Chinese machine in half decent condition is going to do just as well or better.