Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Chinese Lathes.

Hi Art:
Actually, they're all junk.
Having said that, you need to find out which bits are the biggest problem,
and whether this particular machine is salvageable without too much pain and
with the equipment that you already have.
Some basic problems will render a machine almost useless; others are nothing
more than a mild annoyance and are easily remedied.
If you can, eyeball the machine in person.
Bring a straightedge and a 10" bar of 3/4 or 1" precision ground round bar.
If you've got some, bring some free-cutting material too (leadloy, brass,
aluminum)
Bring a dial indicator, a mike, and an accurate square too.
Check out the basic squareness and parallelism of the machine (these things
are hard to fix if they're no good)
If you can, power up the machine and take a heavy cut to see if the spindle
bearings can handle it.
Skim a bit off the diameter of a bar and test for parallel cutting.
If you've brought something free-cutting along, you can also evaluate its
ability to cut smoothly.
Pretty much anything else is fixable by a home shop machinist.
Cheers

Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: Art Fenerty <fenerty@...>
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2001 2:06 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Chinese Lathes.

>Hi Guys:
>
> (On another topic)
> I am looking at getting my first lathe. I've always found lathes
>interesting and decided I want to learn how to do some baic lathe work.
>(besides I get alot of requests for lathe routines in my software).
> I have been looking at some inexpensive(??) Chinese lathes. They seem
>to come in several quality levels. I'
>ve found one I'm interested in at I think is a pretty good price. It is a
>20" and sometimes seems to be refered to as a lathemaster. Normally, It
>sells for about 1500.00Can but I can get one for $975.00 as it is their

last

>one.
> It is a 9x20, seems well built, no threading dial, little ball

bearing

>oilers on the compounds, V shaped ways on the Bed, and a wet gearbox with 9
>speeds. Adjustable gibs, 3 and 4-jaw chuck and faceplate. Power feed. I
>only mention the specs to see if anyone recognises this particular type. Is
>it junk? Is it recommended to get a small one like this to start? I'm

really

>interested in small work, like bushings..etc. Maybe a small brass cannon or
>something.
> Is there anything I should look for to indicate really bad quality from
>just low quality, to acceptable quality?
> There must be some lathe people out there who have seen this type of
>machine. I think it weighs about 400lbs.
>
>Thanks,
>Art
>
>
>
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