I Want A Metal Lathe

[clickklick]

I'm thinking about getting this one http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-x-22 ... athe/G0752
But am wondering if there are better ones in the same price range. I understand I'll need about $500 in tooling as well. They have a non variable speed for $400 less. Is variable speed a good idea to have?

[sandahlpipe]

There are several lathe threads on the forum. I think you will be fine with this option, but you might want to look into Precision Matthews. I just ordered the 12x36 because it's more lathe than I ever expect to need. I had considered their 10x30, but the extra cash will get so much more lathe. I have used my mini metal lathe (7x14) for 3 years and after that long of working with limitations, I realized that it's better to not buy something I'll ever need to upgrade from.

I'd recommend doing as much research as possible before you settle. Size-wise, a 10" swing is enough for most operations. Factor in a set of pin gages, drill chuck, quick change tool post, and several hss blanks to make tools. Probably a set of briar jaws and spoon bits if you don't have them already.

The biggest difference between the smaller ones and the 12" swing is the weight/stability and capacity. Smaller lathes will be less accurate, have less capacity for larger rods through the headstock, etc.

Best advice I've received when doing major shop purchases was to buy something one size up from what you think you will need. You can make tons of mods to your machines, but size is one thing you can't easily change.

[clickklick]

That PM1236 looks amazing! Unfortunately its over 1000 lbs and I don't think I can get it down into my basement. I will look at their other smaller offerings.

[sandahlpipe]

Yeah I can see how that would be an issue. I'll have to rent a shop crane just to get it onto the stand. The 1127 is also used quite often and doesn't require the 220V power or weigh as much, though you might need to work out some sort of ramp to get it down the stairs still.

[PremalChheda]

That grizzly is an adequate lathe for pipe making and worth the dollars. Check craigslist first for a bargain on a similar or better lathe. However, if you do not know what you are looking at, the Grizzly may be the way to go.

[clickklick]

Thanks for your thoughts guys!

My brother is a machinist and could help me buy used, however I've been checking craigslist and all of the lathes around me are HUGE! Plus, he tends to think in terms of metal work and it doesn't always transfer into what I need to make pipes. So the bells and whistles he likes may not really be what I need to simply make pipes.

In your guys' opinion, for pipemaking, is the variable speed model worth the extra $400 or should I buy without and could always add a VFD later? I am not sure how often you need to change speeds for pipe making processes.

That PM1022V looks good, has a power cross feed and weighs just about as much as the grizzly 10X22. Not sure how often a power feed is needed though, I am assuming it is just used when threading. I'm pretty much set on a 10X22 size due to the weight and size restrictions of getting the thing into my basement, plus I need it to run on 110Vac.

[sandahlpipe]

Well I can't speak for anyone else, but my mini metal lathe has a dial to change speeds and I frequently use different speeds. My wood lathe has a manual speed change by moving a belt and I change that less often, but still change it. My suspicion is that if you're making pipes on a regular basis, you're going to want a quick speed change option to save time. You might use higher/lower speeds depending on whether you're facing or drilling, turning tenons, etc. Also, if you want to work with other materials, such as brass or steel (it is, after all, a metal lathe) you'll want to turn those at different speeds. I think you could add a VFD later, but then you'll need to swap out the motor with a 3-phase motor as well.

Power cross feed is really helpful for facing operations to make a smooth and steady cut. Not an absolute must-have, but super nice. The power feed is also useful for turning tenons. So for me, the extra cash up front for the convenience of a variable speed and power cross feed would be worth it, but ymmv.

The used lathe market seems to vary widely from location to location. I'd been looking for months for one to pop up on craigslist and finally gave up. They were either massive or mini with an occasional old klunker in the right size, but missing significant parts.

[PremalChheda]

Thanks for your thoughts guys!

My brother is a machinist and could help me buy used, however I've been checking craigslist and all of the lathes around me are HUGE! Plus, he tends to think in terms of metal work and it doesn't always transfer into what I need to make pipes. So the bells and whistles he likes may not really be what I need to simply make pipes.

In your guys' opinion, for pipemaking, is the variable speed model worth the extra $400 or should I buy without and could always add a VFD later? I am not sure how often you need to change speeds for pipe making processes.

That PM1022V looks good, has a power cross feed and weighs just about as much as the grizzly 10X22. Not sure how often a power feed is needed though, I am assuming it is just used when threading. I'm pretty much set on a 10X22 size due to the weight and size restrictions of getting the thing into my basement, plus I need it to run on 110Vac.

Keep looking on craigslist and extend your search. Also look for a machine supplier close by. If you find a great deal, your brother can help you determine if the lathe is in good shape. However, the 10 inch from either grizzly or pm will work well for what you will need to make pipes. Is the extra $400 worth it for the variable speed? That is up to you. Changing belts is not difficult on that model, but it does slow the work down considerably.

Power cross feed is not really that helpful. I have not used it much, and I do not see that I will in the future.

[Sasquatch]

I use the speed control on my lathe a LOT. To me, worth 400 bucks. 0 to 1000 on one belt, 0-2000 on the other.

One of the thing this would let you do is mount a sanding disc and run it real slow, just for example, if that kinda thing might be handy somehow, if you didn't have a buffer. Buying a lathe with maximum EASY flexibility will make you happy in the long run. (I matched up and got a lathe with the same morse tapers as my wood lathe, for example, so things go back and forth no fuss). Building a work station, not just a thing to cut tenons, is the mental approach here.

Like Premal, I'd consider power cross-slide completely extraneous, and in fact I have also disabled the power feed screw on my lathe because I'm just never, ever using it for threading or that kind of thing. Cutting tenons, rings, stems etc is all real easy with handwheels.

[clickklick]

Thanks!

Variable speed it is!

I think I'm gonna go with the Grizzly 10x22. Now I just need to figure out what tooling I need. Quick Change tool post from what I read is a must. Probably need the stand for it too. Any other suggestions would be great! I know its been covered before a million times, and I've used the search function, but alot of those threads are 3 years old or more.

[sandahlpipe]

Thanks!

Variable speed it is!

I think I'm gonna go with the Grizzly 10x22. Now I just need to figure out what tooling I need. Quick Change tool post from what I read is a must. Probably need the stand for it too. Any other suggestions would be great! I know its been covered before a million times, and I've used the search function, but alot of those threads are 3 years old or more.

The old threads are surprisingly relevant. There haven't been a whole lot of changes/improvements to tools since then. But you'll want a self-centering chuck for stem work and if you're going to drill first, you'll need a chuck with briar jaws. Pin gages, calipers, HSS blanks, extra tool holders, way oil (maybe gearbox oil as well, depending on what the Grizzly needs), work light, tailstock drill chuck. There's probably more you can do, but that's a good start at least.

[pipedreamer]

The old threads are still good . I disabled my cross feed also.Many adaptors let you expand on the work station principle!!!

[PremalChheda]

Just to be clear, the carriage feed is very useful and I use it all the time. I only have auto cross feed on the 12 inch and I have not found a good use for it yet.

[W.Pastuch]

Quick Change tool post from what I read is a must.

It depends on how much you have to spend to get one... An original quick change tool post for my lathe costs over 200 euros so there's no way I would spend that much. It's not really that important, of course it's faster and easier to swap tool bits with a quick change tool post, but a simple 3 or 4 screw per side tool post works just as well. You just need to figure out your desired tool height, then you just make stacks of tool+shim and turn away. I had the opportunity to work on a lathe with a QC tool post and I found it very neat, but saving 30 seconds with each tool change isn't really going to speed up your work much, so you just need to assess the need for a QC depending on what it costs.

[sandahlpipe]

In a line of work where there aren't a lot of shortcuts, efficiency is important to me. When I'm in the shop, saving 30 seconds 3-4 times per pipe does add up. Then you also don't have to worry about shims when you're switching between 1/4" and 3/8" tools. I found with the turret system that you've got more to watch out for if you're working closer to the chuck. Not to say it's absolutely necessary, but I can't imagine being without it now.

[W.Pastuch]

In a line of work where there aren't a lot of shortcuts, efficiency is important to me. When I'm in the shop, saving 30 seconds 3-4 times per pipe does add up. Then you also don't have to worry about shims when you're switching between 1/4" and 3/8" tools. I found with the turret system that you've got more to watch out for if you're working closer to the chuck. Not to say it's absolutely necessary, but I can't imagine being without it now.

Agreed, saving time is always good and simple and effective solutions are the best. The important issue is the cost though, if you can get a qc for little money it's an obvious choice, but if it's a bigger investment then there are much more important things you can spend money on, especially as a beginner. For the first couple of years the time savings on tool changes aren't really going to affect the production in any measurable way.

[Massis]

I've got myself a QCTP from Paulimot. The chinese replica of the original Multifix, but boy is it good!

Shimming is always an issue in my opinion. Every time you regrind your tool, the height changes ever so slightly and your shims will be off. A QCTP fixes this with the simple twist of a screw.
Since I tend to use wood turning tools every now and then, I can easily switch to another tool holder with a bar in it, without the other tools being in the way (which would be the case on a 4-way toolpost).

It's not even in the time saving, as time is of little importance to me when making pipes. It just makes many things so much easier and less of a hassle.
Yes, it did cost me €240, but I find it is very well worth the money!

This is the set I have on my Optimum TU2506 lathe:
http://www.paulimot.de/zubehoer-drehen/ ... -groesse-a

Variable speed on the other hand sounds nice, but from what I've gathered should best be avoided on cheaper chinese lathes, especially on 110V (or 220V in EU) ones. If they don't run a decent 3-phase motor, lowering the speed on a variable speed lathe will reduce torque.

Even more important: it's electronics on cheap chinese circuit boards, which will most likely be the easiest part on your lathe to break, and you can't fix it yourself. Switches, wires, pulleys and belts can easily be fixed. Circuit boards? not so much.
Furthermore: I've had my new lathe set at 1000rpm and honestly haven't changed the speed once since I got it half a year ago. I just do everything at this speed, be it drilling acrylic or turning wood.

For me, the 400$ for variable speed would be a no-brainer: spend it on a good QCTP, jacobs chuck, briar jaws and turning tools.

[PremalChheda]

In a line of work where there aren't a lot of shortcuts, efficiency is important to me. When I'm in the shop, saving 30 seconds 3-4 times per pipe does add up. Then you also don't have to worry about shims when you're switching between 1/4" and 3/8" tools. I found with the turret system that you've got more to watch out for if you're working closer to the chuck. Not to say it's absolutely necessary, but I can't imagine being without it now.

Agreed, saving time is always good and simple and effective solutions are the best. The important issue is the cost though, if you can get a qc for little money it's an obvious choice, but if it's a bigger investment then there are much more important things you can spend money on, especially as a beginner. For the first couple of years the time savings on tool changes aren't really going to affect the production in any measurable way.

IAWW

Get the lathe and necessary tooling. Once you have started using it, then make a decision of what to get. When you do get a QCTP go with a wedge type AXA. It is the ideal one for the 10".

http://www.cdcotools.com/index.php

You may have to machine the post for it to fit.

[clickklick]

Ok!

I'll put together a list and you guys can chime in if you think I'm covering the basics. Thank you soooo much for all the help and guidance!

[smokindawg]

Grizzly tools are decent for the money. Sometimes there are changes that can be made to them to improve them but basically they work great. I think you'll be happy with the lathe you posted and it will do many different things. As for the stand, if you have the means to make your own, you can do so and save that money toward other tooling.

I got a stand with my used Jet lathe and while it's nice I didn't have to build one, the height is a bit low and while it has storage, it's a pain as it's low and to look around in it you have to dig. Much better ways to store tooling and parts exist. I use an old kitchen cabinet above the lathe to store my tooling and the stand only holds materials.

I actually buy a lot of stuff from them as I live only 100 miles from the store/showroom in Springfield, MO. I can go in and play and look.

I bought a small mill from them and after some changes and upgrades I love it.

I'm sure you know this but in the end you'll probably have more invested after the initial cost of the lathe than you have in the lathe. But you'll then not only be able to work on and make pipes, but will also be able to work metals. This part I like being able to do and that's one of the reasons I went with a metal lathe in the end.

I'll add to the list of people that say get bigger than you think you will ever need, because it's cheaper in the long run over purchasing too small then having to sell to upgrade to bigger.