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Buying Your First Lathe...What to ask and look for !!

Joe Pie

46,199 views

This video covers the basic things a first time lathe buyer should look for or pay attention to when buying their first machine.
Patreon Support: Patreon: joepie
Website: https://www.advancedinnovationsllc.com
Web Store: https://www.advancedinnovationsllc.co...
Amazon Affiliate Links: NOTE, as an amazon affiliate I do earn a small royalty from sales linked here.
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This product is posted on Amazon at a discounted price. Links for this product are below:
For the record: I may receive a commission on Amazon sales if any, but do not benefit by direct sales from the manufacturer. I am new to the affiliate program and have not received dime one as of 6/23/22
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20 Comments

@EmmettConrecode 1 month ago

Joe, while it's nice to watch your micro machining. A good 9x20 lathe DIY how to will be priceless.

@hs3369 1 month ago

I'm from ATX too, I want to make model engines. A software engineer by trade but want to get into mechatronics. Have zero lathe or machining experience what mini lathe do you recommend?. Also do you teach Machining in the ATX area?

@BrianM-k4q 3 months ago (edited)

I learned about everything I wanted and didn't want on a lathe after buying a grizzly mini lathe, that being said, it wasn't exactly a great investment. A few years later, I bought a barely used (the original scraping on the ways aren't even worn through) South Bend 9C for less money that I paid for the mini lathe, along with most of the tooling that I needed. Its about perfect for my garage shop, I use it mainly for making bushings and spacers as well as camera mounts (its a primitive lathe, but I have al of the time in the world for set ups, plus, disassembled, I was able to fit it in the backseat of my car.). The only thing I wish it had was a wider spindle bore for threading and chambering barrels, but I also have a best friend who runs a machine shop that has a manual lathe large enough for that job when I need it.

@TierTwoMongol 4 months ago

Turn that like button, bore that subscribe button and set up that comment below

@thefallenone7988 6 months ago (edited)

Or what you can afford. Me $140.00 1800's no change gears no apron gears/mechanisms. Has a tailstock , back gears , faceplate , complete carriage , and reverse lever on the headstock gearbox.
I think it's a nine inch Sheppard metal lathe. I haven't gotten it up and running yet.

@mrmerkin6203 6 months ago

Buying my first lathe (LeBlond 17x72) was expedited. The guy said $200. I said Sold! Never even saw it. Still have it today. Works great.

@jackwillson8099 9 months ago

Peewee tool post from Germany swiss quick change hands down the best ,used them all alores doran ,TLC ,smokes them all

@wsmc8275 9 months ago

You can do short tapers with just the compound. You only need a taper attachment for long tapers.

@geezer-w3o 10 months ago

Ive got a clausing 5914. I dont have 3 phase so im using an REO gas motor. Drives off the cam. I/2 speed. Theoretically twice the power. Correct rotation. Portable. Just for fun. 10 inch chinese chuck. 500 bucks. Was 3 blocks away. For 30 years and didnt know it.

@johnwallace9002 11 months ago

And if you get a taper attachment make sure the crosfeed screw is telescoping. Joe please explain.

@PaulSteMarie 1 year ago

A third option for 3ph is a VFD. More complicated to set up, but being able to adjust the spindle speed on the fly is fantastic.

There's also the option of getting 3ph from the utility, but that's highly dependent on the local utility tariffs and the infrastructure near your shop.

@gusmcgussy3299 1 year ago

18 140 a monster? Lmao... we have a dainichi 60 inch chuck 32 feet between centers .lol

@lanebyron4097 1 year ago

Hi Joe, I new to machining. Does a carriage stop prevent accidental crash of tool into chuck jaws? Thanks

@basildouglas855 1 year ago

Joe, A good explanation covering all the relative features to assist a first time buyer. The pit falls of buying a lathe with little or no experience, could turn a dream into a nightmare. So well done.

@TDAPrecision 1 year ago

I Recently bought a lightly used Clausing Colchester 13 x 40. it is very similar to yours, It did come with a collet closer that is missing one part. I knew that when I purchased it but it is the linkagr that goes between the closer and tbe latbe. I believe I can make one if I can't find one. I like that shelf you have for your tool holders and would not mind a look at how you made that.

@DorsetGuy 1 year ago

I’ve got a Hardinge HLVH super precision toolroom lathe. That together with my Bridgeport milling machine gets most jobs I need doing, done.

@ChimeraActual 1 year ago (edited)

Hey Joe, you're about twenty years too late for me, but the Jet 13x40 gearhead I bought from Dixie tool here in Austin is very similar to yours -- although not as robust I'm sure --, and does what I need it to do. It was my first lathe, and Dixie's advice was invaluable, as is yours.

Yes, I make pool cues occasionally.