- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 1,328
I've been looking around mostly at lathes and somewhat at mills for the past few months. I wanted to buy an old used American lathe, but I think I've decided that there is too much risk involved. I would rather get something new. From what I've gleaned from the internet, I've concluded that chinese machines are the worst, and taiwanese are little bit better. I've also concluded (from reading the same thing over and over in different sites) that the lathe/mill combo machines combine the worst features of a lathe with the worst features of a mill. Now, I don't know enough about machining for that little tidbit to be meaningful - when I think of "the worst feature of a lathe" - I draw a blank; likewise with a mill. So what are people talking about when they make this comment?
Considering that I don't plan to buy used, my decision making process seems a little simplified. I don't exactly know what I'm looking for, but my rudimentary criteria are:
Regarding #1, this is the heart of my question. These combo machines, on paper, have a very impressive swing. If one did not care about milling and were to base their lathe purchase on size of swing for the money, it would be more cost effective (from Grizzly, Enco, AND Smithy) to buy their 3-in-1 machine than their lathe of same swing. For example the Grizzly G9729 Swing = 16.5" for 2000$, and their cheapest lathe with same swing is the G0509G for $8000. Since size of swing is my #1 consideration, this question is burning in the back of my brain. something tells me that the large swing of the combo machine is too good to be true, and that there will be something to prevent me utilizing it. I suspect being underpowered will be the culprit.
Anybody have any input on this?
Thank you.
Considering that I don't plan to buy used, my decision making process seems a little simplified. I don't exactly know what I'm looking for, but my rudimentary criteria are:
- 1. as large of swing and bed as can be had for the money
- 2. this shouldn't need to be on the list, but: rigidity, aka the ability to do it's job
- 3. threading ability, preferably inch and metric - power feed and preferably power cross feed, and preferably feed in both directions
- 4. the more tooling/accessories included the better
- 5. as precise as possible - actually, I don't know where to draw a line in the sand, or what's considered good or bad
Regarding #1, this is the heart of my question. These combo machines, on paper, have a very impressive swing. If one did not care about milling and were to base their lathe purchase on size of swing for the money, it would be more cost effective (from Grizzly, Enco, AND Smithy) to buy their 3-in-1 machine than their lathe of same swing. For example the Grizzly G9729 Swing = 16.5" for 2000$, and their cheapest lathe with same swing is the G0509G for $8000. Since size of swing is my #1 consideration, this question is burning in the back of my brain. something tells me that the large swing of the combo machine is too good to be true, and that there will be something to prevent me utilizing it. I suspect being underpowered will be the culprit.
Anybody have any input on this?
Thank you.