Metal Lathe - Help Needed ( Again )

[brurobas]

Good afternoon,

I am sorry for all the Help Topics but this is the best resource website about pipe making.

Today i came across the oportunity of buying the following Metal Lathe and accessories:

EINHELL Metal Lathe MTB 3000

The metal lathe is particularly suitable for longitudinal turning and facing of round or 3-, 6- or 12-shape-edged work pieces made of metal, plastics or similar materials with a diameter max. 75 mm and a length of approx.. 300 mm. The hollow lathe spindle also allows straining of longer work pieces with a max. diameter of 15 mm. Due to the leading spindle the application for thread-turnings is possible, too.

Supplied with:

- Continuous speed control (1)
- Switch for left/right turning (2)
- No-voltage releasing switch (3)
- Three jaw chuck (4) -Interchangeablechuck(5)
- Centre support (6)
- Wheel set for different lathe feed (7) - Automatic feed (8)

Technical Data:

- Mains:230 V ~ 50 Hz
- Power:S3 50%
- Centre height:85 mm
- Max. work piece-diameter: 170 mm
- Max.workpiecelength/centrewidth: 300mm
- Max. workable outside-diameter:approx. 75 mm
- Max. spindle admission:Ø 15 mm
- Exactness of true running:< 0.02 mm
- Speed step 1:0-2.500 min-1
- Speed step 2:0-1.100 min
- Weight:44 kg
- Packing dimensions (WxHxD):765 x 300 x 330 mm

It comes with the following accessories:

Chisel-Set
Ideal for turning and facing off, in- and outside turning, cutting threads for roughing and smoothing

Bezel
Ideal for taking up long parts

Face plate
Ideal for unequal parts

Four-jaw-chuck
It’s meant for taking up square parts

Do you think this is more appropriate for turning blocks and pipe making or it is still not the best choice for pipe making?

Thank you once again.

Regards

Bruno

[RadDavis]

At a max working diameter of 75mm, it sounds tiny. That's just under 3 inches.

Ok for stems, no good for stummels.

Rad

[brurobas]

Thank you for your reply Rad but now i am confused. The specs say:

- Max. work piece-diameter: 170 mm
- Max. workable outside-diameter:approx. 75 mm

Doesn't this mean that the workpiece ( briar ) can have a maximum diameter of 170mm?

I thought the 75mm where measured outside the briar block diameter...

[Alan L]

That's one of the ubiquitous Chinese mini-lathes, in the US sold as a 7"x12."

The 170mm is max swing over the bed, the 75mm is max swing over the saddle. So, while you may be able to physicall put something up to 170mm in the chuck, you couldn't work it close to the toolpost. In other words, it's pretty small.

[Jos]

That thingy has only 300 mm distance between centers ... not much.
You will want a bigger one soon anyway, so save up your money until you find a bigger one, I suggest.

Jens