Re: Chinese Lathes.

---Art,
I purchased a Chinese lathe about 10 years ago and have found it a
super little machine that is very accurate. It is not an ornament, it
gets used a lot and only gets cleaned when it starts to sink below the
chips. The bed is induction hardened and the chuck is still very
accurate (I do tend to keep that clean) I do lots of screw cutting and
turning to close limits without difficulty. I have not found the
need to make any adjustments to it in all the years I've had it and it
is only lightly bolted onto a chipboard work surface
I have 3 chinese lathes now, my latest is one of the minilathes which
was really cheap and I think was assembled by under nourished children
because all the screws were loose. I intend to fit a couple of
steppers to it for knocking out small parts.
I would not think there was any need to go down to Busy Bees' with
squares and levels if you just want to make a cannon or two.
If you want to see scrap take a look at the junk on ebay, I am sure
they are being recovered from the bottom of the North Atlantic?

Terry

In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Art Fenerty" <fenerty@h...> wrote:

> 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