pipemakersforum.com

Hey, Guys,
I have been making pipes with a Rikon wood lathe for a bit, but I want to start learning how to make them with a metal lathe. I know this has been asked before, but the searching through old posts is taking forever.

I would like a metal lathe that can do everything except sanding and buffing which my Rikon will be taking over those duties. My flexible max budget for the metal lathe would be ~$2,000 what would you recommend and why?

M.Jones wrote: I know this has been asked before, but the searching through old posts is taking forever.

Writing it out takes even longer.

And your first-ever post is a request for someone to do that for you?

Not the best way to get started on an info exchange forum, I'm afraid.

I understand your point, I apologize.

Don't worry about the guard dog, he barks a lot but won't bite
It takes even longer to belittle a person than it does to help

I think a lot of people like Jet lathes, I have a Grizzly, it seems to be ok, get bigger than you think you need to

Thanks for the reply. I was looking at a few models on Amazon, any opinions on this model? http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G9972Z-Be ... etal+lathe

There is also this one, but I am not familiar with the brand.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009L9JSO0?psc=1

In that price range, the Jet 920N is the most popular option amongst pipemakers it seems.

I don't have any experience with either of those but I've read a lot on here about Grizzly metal lathes having a lot of issues.

M.Jones wrote:Thanks for the reply. I was looking at a few models on Amazon, any opinions on this model? http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G9972Z-Be ... etal+lathe

There is also this one, but I am not familiar with the brand.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009L9JSO0?psc=1

The lathe I have is the grizzly 9X19 I wish it was bigger.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/9-x-19- ... athe/G4000

as it is the only metal lathe I have operated I really don't have an opinion worth sharing, I just noticed there was a lot of reference to Jet lathes

Don't mind LL, I don't think he even has a lathe, so he offered the best advice he could

I bought a metal lathe last year and had the same question. The best advise I got was to buy an American made lathe that is no younger than 40 years old. I settled for a circa 1953 South Bend 10K with tons of tooling and various turrets, for about $2,000. The tooling alone was worth much more, it could be pieced out for atleast $3500. They made millions of these for the military and parts are easier to find than you would expect, there are various guys around the country that speacialize in SB parts.

Basically, if you are buying new, you're gonna spend a lot on tooling. If you can find a used one that has multiple chucks and tailstocks and maybe even some cutting bits or drill bits, you'll be a couple steps ahead of buying one new.

Take any advice with a grain of salt, cause the next guy may tell you to go to Harbor Freight and get a 6" lathe. I bought a 10" since everyone convinced me to go no smaller than 10", and I initially thought I was crazy for going "so big", but 2 days after having it, I wished I just bought a 12" and would never have to upgrade again. The 10" is so handy that I'll never get rid of it, but will get a second lathe some day.

Another thing to keep in mind is the hole size through the spindle. To use the pricey ebonites for stems, it helps the wallet to have no waste and be able to fit the longer rods through the headstock (another reason I'd like a 12"er).

Another great brand of older lathes is Logan.

BigCasino wrote: It takes even longer to belittle a person than it does to help

You're forgetting about the, "...and why" part of his question, BC. "Buy a Jet or a Grizzly that's bigger than you think you need" requires a lot more explanation to be a useful answer.

As for "belittling" someone, pointing out what's widely accepted as proper forum etiquette is hardly that.

Also, I'm not a guard dog. You're confusing me with my guard cat, Daisy, I think. And she isn't turned loose to do her job on forum members until I get the word from either Tyler or Kurt.

LatakiaLover wrote:

BigCasino wrote: It takes even longer to belittle a person than it does to help

You're forgetting about the, "...and why" part of his question, BC. "Buy a Jet or a Grizzly that's bigger than you think you need" requires a lot more explanation to be a useful answer.

As for "belittling" someone, pointing out what's widely accepted as proper forum etiquette is hardly that.

Also, I'm not a guard dog. You're confusing me with my guard cat, Daisy, I think. And she isn't turned loose to do her job on forum members until I get the word from either Tyler or Kurt.

1. there was nothing useful in your post
2. I didn't know you were appointed forum police
3. It's usually common courtesy to be nice to someone, its also proper etiquette. in forums and in life
4. your right your more like a chihuahua
5. people often don't like it when you "keep it real"
6. this the last thing I will post on the matter

Have a nice day

Whatever you decide to get, be advised that the 9x20 models are not going to be as good as 10+ models. The problem is the 9x20's are too large for the small supporting parts that the lathe is made up of. Once you start getting into the 10+ models, the leadscrews, Headstocks, and tailstocks are usually much better.

The only thing on that Grizzly that looks a little sketchy is the motor. Otherwise it may be a good way to start. Again, I would highly advise not to get a brand new 9x20 because they are overpriced for what you are getting. Better to spend a little more and go bigger, or get a used 9x20 at a good price.

Also, be prepared to spend another $1000.00+ for additional tooling, chucks, etc.. You will not be able to get away with just buying the lathe for x amount of dollars. There are necessary additional expenses.

I have a Jet 9x20 and it has served me well. I have put it to its limits and now need a larger, better built lathe. I will keep this because it is tooled out and I will still use it, but I am looking forward to getting an 11+ inch swing lathe soon.

Make sure you do your research before buying a lathe. Check out these videos and discussions linked below and you may want to do some reading and questioning on a machining forum as well. You will thank yourself for learning how to use a metal lathe before you buy one and mess something up badly whether it is yourself or the lathe.

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=6604
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=5154
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=2808

BigCasino wrote:
1. there was nothing useful in your post
2. I didn't know you were appointed forum police
3. It's usually common courtesy to be nice to someone, its also proper etiquette. in forums and in life
4. your right your more like a chihuahua
5. people often don't like it when you "keep it real"
6. this the last thing I will post on the matter

1 -- Yes, there was
2 -- I'm not, and no one did (yet you seem fine with "policing" me )
3 -- I was being nice... what I described is the lay of the land, Internet-wide
4 -- "Yo quiero, Taco Bell?"
5 -- No one can control how people react when provided with information
6 -- Bet it's not, but I hope it is

Forum etiquette is for people who care about that kinda stuff, as far as I know pipemakers aren't those kind of people.
Here you just say "piss off" or "go look in the archives" or "here's some links from other topics" instead of invoking some kind of etiquette, that's how I see it.

As to the lathe question: go as big as you can, that's for sure. Secondly, Vermont Freehand's answer is really useful, but it involves one thing- you have to know a thing or two about lathes before you buy an old one. If you don't you're gonna have a hard time seeing if the one you're looking to buy is in decent condition and you're gonna need a lot of time to get it cleaned/set up properly. If you're new to lathes (as I was when I bought mine) it's probably better if you buy a modern one, though as V.F. pointed out you're gonna need to spend more on tooling.
I recommend watching all the possible videos on youtube, there's a lot of good ones where people discuss lathes and tooling, both old and new, and I find videos to be much more informative if you're not an engineer.
Good luck, a lathe can be your best friend, mine even has a name

keilwerth wrote:Forum etiquette is for people who care about that kinda stuff, as far as I know pipemakers aren't those kind of people.
Here you just say "piss off" or "go look in the archives" or "here's some links from other topics" instead of invoking some kind of etiquette, that's how I see it.

As to the lathe question: go as big as you can, that's for sure. Secondly, Vermont Freehand's answer is really useful, but it involves one thing- you have to know a thing or two about lathes before you buy an old one. If you don't you're gonna have a hard time seeing if the one you're looking to buy is in decent condition and you're gonna need a lot of time to get it cleaned/set up properly. If you're new to lathes (as I was when I bought mine) it's probably better if you buy a modern one, though as V.F. pointed out you're gonna need to spend more on tooling.
I recommend watching all the possible videos on youtube, there's a lot of good ones where people discuss lathes and tooling, both old and new, and I find videos to be much more informative if you're not an engineer.
Good luck, a lathe can be your best friend, mine even has a name

IAWWP

Wojtek! Your pipes are awesome, where did you come from!?

A lot of good advice here, I read as many old topics on this subject before I bought mine, and I still learned some useful info in this thread.
some times new information will pop up from new discussions

Thanks
Wayne, Steve, Premal, Keilwerth

Premal, you wouldn't happen to have any extra tooling for the 9X20 laying around collecting dust?

keilwerth wrote: Here you just say "piss off" or "go look in the archives" or "here's some links from other topics" instead of invoking some kind of etiquette, that's how I see it.

No, he said, "I know it's a common question, and there's a search feature, and there's an archive... but looking through it is time consuming. Too much work. So, how about you guys doing the work for me and writing it all out again?"

If that isn't bad form and worth pointing out to a newcomer, I don't know what is.

Hell, he even agreed immediately, and apologized.

But now Casino & Co. are trying to make me out to be some sort of Bad Guy. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

BigCasino wrote:A lot of good advice here, I read as many old topics on this subject before I bought mine, and I still learned some useful info in this thread.
some times new information will pop up from new discussions

Thanks
Wayne, Steve, Premal, Keilwerth

Premal, you wouldn't happen to have any extra tooling for the 9X20 laying around collecting dust?

I got lots of things laying around collecting dust, but I may or may not need em at some point. I do have some simple modifications for the 9x20 that I can share with you. Here is an earlier post about it.

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=7426

LatakiaLover wrote:

keilwerth wrote: Here you just say "piss off" or "go look in the archives" or "here's some links from other topics" instead of invoking some kind of etiquette, that's how I see it.

No, he said, "I know it's a common question, and there's a search feature, and there's an archive... but looking through it is time consuming. Too much work. So, how about you guys doing the work for me and writing it all out again?"

If that isn't bad form and worth pointing out to a newcomer, I don't know what is.

Hell, he even agreed immediately, and apologized.

But now Casino & Co. are trying to make me out to be some sort of Bad Guy. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

I really do not want to get into it George, but Keilwerth is not taking a shot at you or trying to make you look like the bad guy. It is just time to move on with the subject in the OP. Take it to PM's if you need more discussion on it.

Thanks for all of the great replies! I did do a little searching on craigslist and found this for $2900 OBO. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/wan/4233338231.html

I'll definitely watch the videos and read all that was recommended. I want to buy once, I don't want to end up having to buy bigger down the road.