Hi, I am looking to buy a lathe in order to make small (<5cm diameter) precision finger tops, and as someone new to machining I would love to get advice on what to buy.
These are my (non-negotiable) requirements -
1. Accuracy - The more balanced the top is, the longer it will spin. I believe the things to look out for are spindle play, runout and tailstock centering?
2. Cost - <500 USD for everything excluding cutting tools.
3. Size - Longest dimension about 30-40cm max. Yes, that means micro-lathes only.
4. Material - Needs to be able to bore a hole into the centre of tungsten stock (or at the very least, high density tungsten alloy). I don't care if it takes forever, it needs to be able to do it.
These are things I don't care about -
1. Maximum capacity - Basically any lathe out there will be large enough to machine the spinning tops I want.
2. Repeatability - I will not be mass producing tops, so I don't need to hit exact dimensions/shapes.
Here is what I am considering currently -
1. Watchmaker's lathes - I would assume lathes made for crafting watch parts would have very tight tolerances. I do not know the superior option between WW with cone bearings and Boley.
2. Vintage micro-lathes - Brands such as Unimat and Wizard. These have the advantage of having more mass than watchmaker's lathes and more solid contact with the ground, and are often sold with chucks to hold thick stock, as well as cross-slides and toolposts.
What would be my best bet here? WW, Boley, Unimat, Wizard or something else? I don't mind replacing a motor or disassbling the lathe for cleaning, but not much more. Or maybe go for something new, despite the poorer build quality (extruded aluminium beds and all)?
These are my (non-negotiable) requirements -
1. Accuracy - The more balanced the top is, the longer it will spin. I believe the things to look out for are spindle play, runout and tailstock centering?
2. Cost - <500 USD for everything excluding cutting tools.
3. Size - Longest dimension about 30-40cm max. Yes, that means micro-lathes only.
4. Material - Needs to be able to bore a hole into the centre of tungsten stock (or at the very least, high density tungsten alloy). I don't care if it takes forever, it needs to be able to do it.
These are things I don't care about -
1. Maximum capacity - Basically any lathe out there will be large enough to machine the spinning tops I want.
2. Repeatability - I will not be mass producing tops, so I don't need to hit exact dimensions/shapes.
Here is what I am considering currently -
1. Watchmaker's lathes - I would assume lathes made for crafting watch parts would have very tight tolerances. I do not know the superior option between WW with cone bearings and Boley.
2. Vintage micro-lathes - Brands such as Unimat and Wizard. These have the advantage of having more mass than watchmaker's lathes and more solid contact with the ground, and are often sold with chucks to hold thick stock, as well as cross-slides and toolposts.
What would be my best bet here? WW, Boley, Unimat, Wizard or something else? I don't mind replacing a motor or disassbling the lathe for cleaning, but not much more. Or maybe go for something new, despite the poorer build quality (extruded aluminium beds and all)?