Mini Lathe Reviews Please

[gaz1]

@optima21 has done some really good stuff with his lathe and yet many would call the hobbymat flimsy

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/hobbymat-lathe-and-milling-machine-modifications.58888/

 

[cumbriasteve]

@optima21 has done some really good stuff with his lathe and yet many would call the hobbymat flimsy

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/hobbymat-lathe-and-milling-machine-modifications.58888/

Yeah that's the thread I remember seeing...impressive to say the least.

 

[optima21]

my hobbymat lathe is smaller than the mini lathes, and from some of the comments here seems to have been better build quality than the mini lathes. but if you know there are issues with the machines you learn to live with them. one area where the mini lathes have been built to a price will be in the drive arrangements. having a variable speed may be good to get a slow speed, but you will loose torque at the slower speeds which will mean it struggles on larger diameter items. a geared or belt driven slow speed arrangement would be much better to maintain the torque.

 

[toddy]

I have one of the bigger axminster lathes and i would have had a smaller one but i have a use for the big ones...
And tbh for the price i think they are good, esp with a 3 year warrente
I agree they are not the best, but for the price i think you carnt go wrong for a new lathe
And the other factor was that there is a store just down the road from me

 

[Henrik]

I echo the first comment. As an xmas present you cannot give a used machine, for goodness sake.

Another observation is that all these "which lathe" threads descend into something that looks and reads very much like the Chinese tig welder threads

 

[cumbriasteve]

I echo the first comment. As an xmas present you cannot give a used machine, for goodness sake.

Oh I don't know about that:

If I woke on crimbo morning and there sitting under the tree next to the aftershave and socks was a nice used Harrison I would be a very happy chappie.

 

[optima21]

Oh I don't know about that:

If I woke on crimbo morning and there sitting under the tree next to the aftershave and socks was a nice used Harrison I would be a very happy chappie.

Wonder if you can get oil proof wrapping paper so you wouldn't know it was a lathe

 

[addjunkie]

Wonder if you can get oil proof wrapping paper so you wouldn't know it was a lathe

Be a big tree to get a harrison underneath, hope santa has a pallet truck to move it too

On a serious note if the person recieving the lathe understands lathes i see no reason not to give a good used machine as a gift.

Sure if santa brought you a used ferrari youd not complain.

 

[Crater Creator]

Be a big tree to get a harrison underneath, hope santa has a pallet truck to move it too

On a serious note if the person recieving the lathe understands lathes i see no reason not to give a good used machine as a gift.

Sure if santa brought you a used ferrari youd not complain.

Ferrari - I wouldn't complain but would immediately sell it and get something else.
Definitely I would also love a good second hand machine, it was just that the OP said the receiver of the present had problems with understanding some things, so thought he may see a second-hand one in a different light. Not knowing the guy it's hard to say.

 

[Richard.]

Ml10's tend be like buses, none for ages then 3 pop up.
I love mine like it's great for the bits I do on it. Super low speeds for the threads too which I do a lot. Only gripe is changing the wheels round takes time every time I want to do something else. If he can find one for good brass they are nice baby lathes.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Knock on garage door:

Hi Steve, just to let you know the lathe will be here Tuesday or Wednesday

What lathe?

The one you said would be ok

I never said that, I said it will probably be ok but I will ask the guys on the forum for feedback.

I am now blazing, I can see exactly what is going to happen if there is the slightest problem with the new lathe, muggins here is going to get the blame.

If it wasn't for the fact his lad is a really nice kid and none of it is his fault I would have let rip with words that even I could not moderate.

That's it...moan over but still mad as a mad man can be.

Thanks for all the replies folks and sorry for wasting your time.

 

[ChrisJ]

been following this thread with interest, will wait for a little hobbymat lathe to come up, so from my point of view it wasn't wasted time, thank you.

 

[cumbriasteve]

been following this thread with interest, will wait for a little hobbymat lathe to come up, so from my point of view it wasn't wasted time, thank you.

Glad it was of use to you and we got to see optima's brilliant work again on what most of us would consider a toy machine...proves how wrong we can be

There are actually two hobbymats on the bay of evil, don't know how far from you though.

 

[ChrisJ]

Glad it was of use to you and we got to see optima's brilliant work again on what most of us would consider a toy machine...proves how wrong we can be

There are actually two hobbymats on the bay of evil, don't know how far from you though.

Yes I am watching them both, they are too far away from me sadly, but I have waited 40 years a bit longer won't hurt [edit] yes I was seeing what optima made, he must be one hell of a toolmaker, very ingenious, and some superb workmanship.

 

[Crater Creator]

@cumbriasteve,
Yeah those are terrible, he'll have no end of trouble with it. I don't know why you insisted he buy that one.
Just kidding....

 

[cumbriasteve]

@cumbriasteve,
Yeah those are terrible, he'll have no end of trouble with it. I don't know why you insisted he buy that one.
Just kidding....

Where's the two digit smiley when you need it

 

[Richard.]

@optima21 has done some really good stuff with his lathe and yet many would call the hobbymat flimsy

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/hobbymat-lathe-and-milling-machine-modifications.58888/

How did I ever miss that thread.
@optima21 ......talk about excellent no seriously excellent work. And all on a baby lathe and mill. Inspirational I must say mate.

 

[addjunkie]

I agree optimas work is very good and quite ingenious. Small good lathes can produce some great work.

But consider this, set the space issue to one side.

Do you want to spend your limited free time making your steam engine or what ever, or most of it comming up with ingenious ways to overcome the small machines short commings.

And optimas machine would really struggle taking a complete ifor williams trailer axle! Its horses for courses. All depends what you want to make.

Tis a rare thing now i ever recomend anything, post marraige i learned that everything was my fault, so best say nothing

 

[Richard.]

Optimas work is a prime example that the biggest limitation to kit is the man at the steering wheel.
I'm not suggesting he will get a lump of 24' long pipe in it but when I read through lathe threads saying this type of kit is no good I'll be less reluctant to believe it.

 

[zx9]

Knock on garage door:

Hi Steve, just to let you know the lathe will be here Tuesday or Wednesday

What lathe?

The one you said would be ok

I never said that, I said it will probably be ok but I will ask the guys on the forum for feedback.

I am now blazing, I can see exactly what is going to happen if there is the slightest problem with the new lathe, muggins here is going to get the blame.

If it wasn't for the fact his lad is a really nice kid and none of it is his fault I would have let rip with words that even I could not moderate.

That's it...moan over but still mad as a mad man can be.

Thanks for all the replies folks and sorry for wasting your time.

Ho Hum, hopefully it will work out good for the lad.
I did not notice which lathe you 'recomended', what are they getting him Steve?