steeltec?

[daniel]

hello,
has anyone ever heard about steeltec named metal lathes, are they any good?
I can´t really find any information on them, so i´m wondering are they bullshit or what..?
id really appreciate some info,
thanks,
daniel.

[Nick]

Nupe!

[JHowell]

Never heard of Steeltec as a lathe manufacturer, and looking online I can only find info on the company as a maker of production line components. If you were to attach a link or describe the sort of lathe or situation you have, someone may be able to advise you.

Jack

[kbadkar]

Do as JHowell says. Then, as resident guru of metal lathes, he will give you advice... but I can tell you now, he likes the old stuff - "they don't build them like they used to".

[ToddJohnson]

I've got two new Knuth 12 x 36's and I challenge Jack to a lathe off!

TJ

[JHowell]

I've got two new Knuth 12 x 36's and I challenge Jack to a lathe off!

TJ

Todd, there you go with the ruler again. Knuth is very decent modern stuff, especially if it's still made in Taiwan. I'd trade a clapped-out Logan any day. Most of my advice regarding old lathes is directed toward those who regard $1000 as too much to spend, and always includes the caveat of knowing what you're getting into.

My enthusiasm for old American machines is partly sentimental and partly pragmatic. I like old stuff, and I was into old lathes before I was into pipes. If all my lathes vanished and I had to start over from ground zero I don't think I'd have the time or energy to do the sort of restoration and repair I've had to do. I'd probably buy a 13/40 Standard Modern.

Jack

[ToddJohnson]

I've got two new Knuth 12 x 36's and I challenge Jack to a lathe off!

TJ

Todd, there you go with the ruler again. Knuth is very decent modern stuff, especially if it's still made in Taiwan. I'd trade a clapped-out Logan any day. Most of my advice regarding old lathes is directed toward those who regard $1000 as too much to spend, and always includes the caveat of knowing what you're getting into.

My enthusiasm for old American machines is partly sentimental and partly pragmatic. I like old stuff, and I was into old lathes before I was into pipes. If all my lathes vanished and I had to start over from ground zero I don't think I'd have the time or energy to do the sort of restoration and repair I've had to do. I'd probably buy a 13/40 Standard Modern.

Jack

Hey Jack,

I share your appreciation for old things. At my other shop, I have a treadle powered bow lathe. You can't make pipes with it, but if the power grid suddenly crashed, you could still turn spindles for a staircase . . . I've spent most of my life restoring old things, so I certainly appreciate that sentiment. You're right though, unless you have machining and restoration expertise, the smartest thing to do is buy new. At this point it's hard to get anything even decently capable for under a thousand bucks, and if you're really serious about it, you're looking at something north of four grand. That makes restoration a very attractive option if you've got the capabilities.

TJ

TJ

[REH]

You're right though, unless you have machining and restoration expertise, the smartest thing to do is buy new.

Well I hope I didn't screw up. I just purchased a Craftsman 12X36. They guy told me it was the last model Craftsman made. I know the guy and trusted him. I dont have any experience with lathes but this one seemed to be in great shape and everthing worked. It came with lots of tools, and a Milling attachement. I paid $700 for it all. Do you think I did ok?

[ToddJohnson]

You're right though, unless you have machining and restoration expertise, the smartest thing to do is buy new.

Well I hope I didn't screw up. I just purchased a Craftsman 12X36. They guy told me it was the last model Craftsman made. I know the guy and trusted him. I dont have any experience with lathes but this one seemed to be in great shape and everthing worked. It came with lots of tools, and a Milling attachement. I paid $700 for it all. Do you think I did ok?

Sounds like you did great!

TJ

[Kettletrigger]

You're right though, unless you have machining and restoration expertise, the smartest thing to do is buy new.

Well I hope I didn't screw up. I just purchased a Craftsman 12X36. They guy told me it was the last model Craftsman made. I know the guy and trusted him. I dont have any experience with lathes but this one seemed to be in great shape and everthing worked. It came with lots of tools, and a Milling attachement. I paid $700 for it all. Do you think I did ok?

Assuming that there's nothing out of whack with the ways or spindle bearings, that sounds like a fantastic deal.

Does it have a quick change gearbox? Auto crossfeed? Please post pics with the lathe and all the attachments...lathe porn!

[REH]

Forgive me if I dont use the correct lathe jargen but yes it has a quick change gear box and a cross power feed. I had a Millwright friend of mine help me level it and it passed all his test for accuracy.

Now I just have to figure out how to use it.

PS I did drill a pipe with the milling attachment and it came out perfect dead center in the bottom of the bowl.

[daniel]

well heres the link, its all in finishbut i think you will get it since they are just facts...
http://www.ironsec.fi/webmarket/product ... 9najvvnd10
and this is the picture
[img]http://www.ironsec.fi/webmarket/images/XWS004_P_1%20[600,6].jpg[/img]

i have another option too,
cant find it now, but the lathes mark is delta, anything?

[daniel]

!!
thanks for the interest.

[KurtHuhn]

They get acceptable reviews, thought they are not the best. That's not saying that the SteelTec is poor quality, but you do need to be aware that identical machines with different brands on them have a spotty reliability history, with some buyers complaining of very shoddy quality. That said, for the right price, it might be worth buying.

[JHowell]

well heres the link, its all in finishbut i think you will get it since they are just facts...
http://www.ironsec.fi/webmarket/product ... 9najvvnd10
and this is the picture
[img]http://www.ironsec.fi/webmarket/images/XWS004_P_1%20[600,6].jpg[/img]

i have another option too,
cant find it now, but the lathes mark is delta, anything?

Where do you live, Daniel? Here in the US, Delta is known more for woodworking equipment than metal lathes, but who knows what they sell in other countries.

My wife was in Wales recently, and remarked about prices that all the numbers looked the same, only the currency sign was different. The Steeltec machine shown looks like a Chinese or Taiwanese product, similar to a Jet in the US. There are some machines being made in Poland, Spain, and Brazil, but most machine tools are made in the East these days, with the same factory often making machines for several different Western brands.

$1295 would be a reasonable price for a decent 10" import lathe in the US. A Jet 920, just a little smaller, used to be right around $1000, I haven't priced them in several years. Here's a Grizzly in that size range:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-x-22 ... athe/G0602

Note the similarities. So, while I don't know anything about Steeltec lathes specifically, there are some general points about import machines. Since the manufacturers are different from the sellers, quality is all down to the importer's specifications and quality control. The Eastern manufacturers are capable of very good work, but that's not what you get for the cheapest price. It's best when shopping for imports to avoid the very cheapest machines, either the cheapest brand or the cheapest machine in a brand's lineup. Choose an importer that has a good reputation for customer service. If it is possible to buy locally from a dealer with customer service that is preferable; if it must be shipped, ask around or browse the machining forums for an idea of who stands behind the product.

Jack

[ToddJohnson]

If it is possible to buy locally from a dealer with customer service that is preferable; if it must be shipped, ask around or browse the machining forums for an idea of who stands behind the product.

Jack

I've had great luck with Do-All Industrial, which has stores around the country. I don't know where you're located, but that may be an option. If so, it will likely be a good one. They'll help you with set-up, dial the machine in, etc., etc. Invaluable if you're getting your first serious machine.

TJ

[daniel]

hello,
i live in finland.
i got some information on the steeltec lathe, it comes from china, thats the information.
i was thinkin, how much can i ddo with it, cause the moving part that has the blade used for cutting
is so high, as it moves tovards the chuck, it will reduse the diameter of the piece im working on.
i mean, that itt takes space away...
so was there any info from the mark Einhell?

http://www.puuilo.fi/cat/product_details.php?p=245
this ones max diameter of the piece 75mm, i imagine it is not enough.. cause there has to be spacee for the shank, right?

[JHowell]

hello,
i live in finland.
i got some information on the steeltec lathe, it comes from china, thats the information.
i was thinkin, how much can i ddo with it, cause the moving part that has the blade used for cutting
is so high, as it moves tovards the chuck, it will reduse the diameter of the piece im working on.
i mean, that itt takes space away...
so was there any info from the mark Einhell?

http://www.puuilo.fi/cat/product_details.php?p=245
this ones max diameter of the piece 75mm, i imagine it is not enough.. cause there has to be spacee for the shank, right?

This machine looks small, like what in generally sold in the US as a 7" lathe. When we refer to a lathe's "swing" that means the diameter of the part that can be turned without interference with the bed. The swing over the saddle is usually a couple of inches less than the swing over the bed, but "the moving part that has the blade" is the compound, which holds the toolpost and slides back toward the operator, usually far enough so that the swing over the saddle is the limiting factor.

I would imagine that 75mm (3 inches) is the radius -- I can't read Finnish -- the lathe doesn't look THAT small. But that is only big enough for stem work. If you want a lathe for stummel work I would recommend a 10" lathe, 12" is even better, and better for stems, too. A 10" lathe will usually have a 1" or larger hole through the spindle, which is handy for stem work since 1" rod stock will pass through and can be chucked closer to the tenon for less vibration and a smoother cut.

I would recommend finding a copy (there are a number of sites on the web offering downloads) of the South Bend "How to Run a Lathe." This is an old book, but it has all the basic info and the parts of a basic manual lathe and their operation haven't changed in a long time.

I don't know what is available in Finland, but if you can find a used Emco 13 (a German machine, widely sold in Europe) in good condition you will have a very nice machine.

Jack

[GbpBulgaria]

hello,
i live in finland.
i got some information on the steeltec lathe, it comes from china, thats the information.
i was thinkin, how much can i ddo with it, cause the moving part that has the blade used for cutting
is so high, as it moves tovards the chuck, it will reduse the diameter of the piece im working on.
i mean, that itt takes space away...
so was there any info from the mark Einhell?

http://www.puuilo.fi/cat/product_details.php?p=245
this ones max diameter of the piece 75mm, i imagine it is not enough.. cause there has to be spacee for the shank, right?

Hi Daniel

i have sucha Einhell lathe! You have to know that this is small machine for pipemaking and it is not very reliable though it is good for stems and it is not cappable to hold bigger briar block. The vibration is bad having chunked with briar block so you will never will be able to work at higher rpm. However, i am working with it almost over 2 years, having no other option. One other point is that you will not be able to chunk an preshaped bend or bigger pipe on it to face the mortise face on it as there is no room for this. Also, mine was originally with plastic gears - look at this picture - old and new -http://www.gbpipes.com/Images/IMG_0772.JPG.
This is a cheap machne for small details and you cannot rely on it for harder work for sure.

Best
George

[daniel]

wow!
i ques im really lucky i didn´t have money for it back then.
thanks for the information.