Suggestions on first mini metal lathe + tooling to turn urethane

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Gnardoe

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Hey guys,

was hoping you can give me advice on what mini lathe I should purchase with the projects I am looking to get into. I basically want to make very tiny skateboard wheels, made out of urethane sticks and sometimes recycle old skateboard wheels.

Thinking to purchase a mini metal lathe to start, & if this is a hobby I enjoy then continue to invest into a more expensive / high end machine. However, since I don't plan on turning metal, I feel a mini metal lathe will be more than sufficient. My budget isn't too high right now, so the more affordable the better. But if you recommend something that may be a tad bit on the pricier side, I will definitely consider it.

I reached out to the LMS and they recommended me their cheapest lathe that they carry. The research I've found on Sieg machines have varied from good for the price to straight garbage and not worth it. Granted, a lot of those threads were from many years ago and it may seem like their quality may have gotten better? Plus I don't plan on turning metal right at this moment, so it might be great value to me.

They recommended the SIEG C2 7x14 Mini Lathe: http://lmscnc.com/1014

They also recommended these tools to help get started: https://littlemachineshop.com/3112,1669

And I was also maybe considering getting a DRO as well, for better accuracy? https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5675&category=-1536942993

I've included some videos below to give you a better understanding of what I want to achieve. If you can also direct me with other additional tooling I may need aside from the ones listed above, that would be great. I apologize in advance as I have very little knowledge of these tools & metal working in general.

Thanks so much!

Video References:
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7134015469752700203



Attendee panel closed
 
Gnardoe said:
Hey guys,

was hoping you can give me advice on what mini lathe I should purchase with the projects I am looking to get into. I basically want to make very tiny skateboard wheels, made out of urethane sticks and sometimes recycle old skateboard wheels.

Thinking to purchase a mini metal lathe to start, & if this is a hobby I enjoy then continue to invest into a more expensive / high end machine. However, since I don't plan on turning metal, I feel a mini metal lathe will be more than sufficient. My budget isn't too high right now, so the more affordable the better. But if you recommend something that may be a tad bit on the pricier side, I will definitely consider it.

I reached out to the LMS and they recommended me their cheapest lathe that they carry. The research I've found on Sieg machines have varied from good for the price to straight garbage and not worth it. Granted, a lot of those threads were from many years ago and it may seem like their quality may have gotten better? Plus I don't plan on turning metal right at this moment, so it might be great value to me.

They recommended the SIEG C2 7x14 Mini Lathe: http://lmscnc.com/1014

They also recommended these tools to help get started: https://littlemachineshop.com/3112,1669

And I was also maybe considering getting a DRO as well, for better accuracy? https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5675&category=-1536942993

I've included some videos below to give you a better understanding of what I want to achieve. If you can also direct me with other additional tooling I may need aside from the ones listed above, that would be great. I apologize in advance as I have very little knowledge of these tools & metal working in general.

Thanks so much!

Video References:
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7134015469752700203



Attendee panel closed
Click to expand...
That little lathe should be suitable for what you want to do. You should get some HSS tool bits and learn to grind them, you will need to grind a very sharp knife edge tool as urethane is rather rubbery and will deflect away from the tool if it is not sharp enough. Don't be talked into buying carbide insert tools they are not suitable for urethane and other rubbery materials. Also that little lathe does not have the rigidity nor the H.P. that is needed to use carbide inserts
 
Gnardoe said:
Hey guys,

was hoping you can give me advice on what mini lathe I should purchase with the projects I am looking to get into. I basically want to make very tiny skateboard wheels, made out of urethane sticks and sometimes recycle old skateboard wheels.

Thinking to purchase a mini metal lathe to start, & if this is a hobby I enjoy then continue to invest into a more expensive / high end machine. However, since I don't plan on turning metal, I feel a mini metal lathe will be more than sufficient. My budget isn't too high right now, so the more affordable the better. But if you recommend something that may be a tad bit on the pricier side, I will definitely consider it.

I reached out to the LMS and they recommended me their cheapest lathe that they carry. The research I've found on Sieg machines have varied from good for the price to straight garbage and not worth it. Granted, a lot of those threads were from many years ago and it may seem like their quality may have gotten better? Plus I don't plan on turning metal right at this moment, so it might be great value to me.

They recommended the SIEG C2 7x14 Mini Lathe: http://lmscnc.com/1014

They also recommended these tools to help get started: https://littlemachineshop.com/3112,1669

And I was also maybe considering getting a DRO as well, for better accuracy? https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5675&category=-1536942993

I've included some videos below to give you a better understanding of what I want to achieve. If you can also direct me with other additional tooling I may need aside from the ones listed above, that would be great. I apologize in advance as I have very little knowledge of these tools & metal working in general.

Thanks so much!

Video References:
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7134015469752700203



Attendee panel closed
Click to expand...
You find a 7° or greater rake angle on cutter will give a better cut and less chatter. On plastic, A36 steel and aluminum.

Do not try this angle on brass use 0° to 2°.

Dave
 
Downunder Bob said:
That little lathe should be suitable for what you want to do. You should get some HSS tool bits and learn to grind them, you will need to grind a very sharp knife edge tool as urethane is rather rubbery and will deflect away from the tool if it is not sharp enough. Don't be talked into buying carbide insert tools they are not suitable for urethane and other rubbery materials. Also that little lathe does not have the rigidity nor the H.P. that is needed to use carbide inserts
Click to expand...
Ahh thanks so much. Is there a difference say in these HSS tool bits I've found on Amazon, and say the ones Grizzly sells?


vs.

www.grizzly.com

8 pc. Ground HSS Tool Bit Set 3/8"

<h1>H5687 8-Piece 3/8" HSS Tool Bit Set </h1> <p>Usually used on metal lathes, the H5687 tool bits can also be ground down and used for engraving metal. <p>This set comes with these sharpened profiles: offset right and left-hand tools with chip breaker, straight and ship breaker style treading...
www.grizzly.com www.grizzly.com

I also noticed LMS suggested 3/8", assuming I should stick with that size as well? (sorry for all the noob questions)
 
Smithdoor said:
You find a 7° or greater rake angle on cutter will give a better cut and less chatter. On plastic, A36 steel and aluminum.

Do not try this angle on brass use 0° to 2°.

Dave
Click to expand...
Edit: Actually sorry I wasn't entirely sure what you meant originally, but looking into the tool bits I see what you're referring to now. Will be looking for 7° or greater. Thanks!


Original: Sweet, will keep this in mind when I get to turning. Thanks!
 
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MikeInOr said:
Since you (OP) are in L.A. I would check the local listings for a used Sherline lathe.
Click to expand...
This, skip the 7x lathes and look for a Sherline! I enjoy my 7x10 but, it was hand hewn with a hatchet and took a lot of work to make it accurate!
 
to be honest for what you want to do, sharp tooling is the most important thing, any lathe you get will need some tuning or repair (used) to be perfect (if there is such a thing) the main issue with 7X10's is rigidity and that is the thing you have a hard time tuning out. you are not planning to turn hard materials so a 7X10 will do it (with sharp tools) a Sherline will do it as well (with sharp tools). I was watching a video of some random guy machining rubber and it all came down to the tool.

if LMS is in your budget, they are great if your budget allows for something with a larger spindle (1.5") would be great for your use so you can pass your stock thru the spindle.

keep in mine you may find that you want to do bigger things but you can easily sell a 7X10 (or sherline) and move up or just keep it and put a bigger brother next to it later.

this is my starter lathe:
www.hobby-machinist.com

MX-600A 9"x24" mini lathe

well i bit the bullet and bought a MX-600A (1100w brushless 8.7X23.6 with a F/R H/M/L gearbox and a 1.5" spindle bore, shipps with a steady rest, a follow rest and a dead center) off of e-bay, after getting it and turning some steel (does a decent job IMO). I got this expecting a box of lathe...
www.hobby-machinist.com www.hobby-machinist.com
keep in mind that I do want to turn steel so my priorities are different but the above link will give you some insight into my experience with buying and modding that lathe.

Grizzly also makes a good 7X10 with great support (like LMS)
 
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