Harbor Freight Mini Lathe I Want To Add A Milling Head

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teched

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I have a HF lathe that I took in trade for a $150 go-kart many years ago. It has been a great little lathe, but I would like to add a Milling head. My lathe looks just like the one picture(Minus the Milling Head)not sure what the model number is off the top of my head. I was wondering if "THEY" make/sell just the milling head to attach to my lathe. Thanks in advance.

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In my opinion, you would be much better off with an independent milling machine. They are far more capable for almost all jobs compared to an add-on.

I know of no add-on milling attachment for the ubiquitous 7 or 9 X lathes. However, Emco made them in various sizes for their lathes. The Compact 5 & Compact 8 used the same small milling attachment. The Emcomats and Maximats had larger sizes. As you may know, most of the 9 X Asian lathes are a clone of the Emco Compact 8 and I would think one of those would work for you. The milling attachment simply bolts onto the back of the lathe, which had a slightly reinforced pad to accept it. The fixture attached with 4 bolts and simply accepted the post of the milling attachment. The mill is functional, uses an ER-25 collet to hold cutters and is capable of small jobs that don't require a lot of stock removal. If your needs are very simple, this might work.

I will say again that you would be better served with an independent milling machine. Even a small mini-mill will be far, far more capable than one of these attached devices.
 
Thanks for the info. I have been looking at full size Bridgeport's, but really don't have the space or the need for it. I would like to have the ability to machine some aluminum for a door plate. I took a look at the link and that looks like an attachment if you already have the head. I need a head. I am not sure if they are powered off the lathes drive motor/gearbox or if they have a separate motor.
 
Ok Here is some more info. The SKU is 31316 and it is Labeled Harbor Freight Made in China Bench Lathe. I found a couple of mill heads on ebay but they mount in the middle of the machine. The one in the pict mounts to left side. I could probaly make the ones I found on ebay work, but I would have to drill holes in the casting to bolt it on.

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Just found this on my local craigslist for $2000. Little rich for my blood. Like I said i dont have a bunch in this Lathe and it works good for what I need. Does Smithy sell just a head
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I agree on the "Cheezyness" of the attachment. The one that bolts to the top left side of the machine like the Smithy, looks much stronger. They have a Bridgeport for $1200 about 2 hours from my home. He has had it on forever and would probaly take $1000 and for another $200 I can get one of the Phase converter boxes with the built in speed control. I could mill out a propeller for the Titanic with that baby, but way to large for my basement shop.
 
teched said:
Thanks for the info. I have been looking at full size Bridgeport's, but really don't have the space or the need for it. I would like to have the ability to machine some aluminum for a door plate. I took a look at the link and that looks like an attachment if you already have the head. I need a head. I am not sure if they are powered off the lathes drive motor/gearbox or if they have a separate motor.
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The attachment mounts on the cross slide and the tool is inserted in the lathe spindle. The attachment allows horizontal movement, thus giving movement in three dimensions.

I used a milling attachment on a lathe until I got a milling machine. Definitely not heavy duty.
 
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