Need advice for a small lathe

[Markbo]

I really think I need a lathe. There are just some things that a drill press doesn't do easily. Problem is cost. I simply need to minimize cost, but want to have an accurate machine.

Can anyone recommend an affordable table top (small) lathe? I'm not going to be making any barrels, but I want to be able to crown & thread them. Is any small lathe big enough to do that?

[Gary @ R&G]

I bought a small Jet. Works good for my needs and was affordable ($1500 new). I wasnt thinking ahead to the fact I would end up working on some rifles. The through stock is only 3/4" and the bed is too short to work on rifle barrels.

If I had it to do over again I would buy a little too big. Just like a gun safe. Figure the biggest you need and add 25 percent.

[edk]

Small does not necessarily equate to less expensive - especially when buying used: Small is in higher demand from hobbyist machinists while larger machines are cheaper for this reason plus the logistics of moving them. Add to that anything manual is just not usable in today's production machine shop and so there are deals to be found. You could probably find a rifle-capable lathe cheaper than a table top in equivalent condition.

You've no doubt noticed I'm talking used equipment. When buying new the machine is void of any tooling and that is an expense you do not want to underestimate. When buying used from an end-user (not a dealer) all this is negotiable. When I bought mine this time last year, the seller sweetened the deal with an additional Buck Adjust-Tru chuck, an Aloris quick-change tool post with 4-5 holders, a collet closer with a set of Hardinge 5C collets, Jacobs chuck, etc. Just mentally running the numbers on these items I realized they were more than his asking price for the entire package.

[Kurt]

All good advice so far. The biggest problem with small lathes is rigidity, or lack there of. With bigger lathes you get heavier castings which mean more precision. Also look for one big enough to take standard tooling, it is cheaper. I would second looking at used machines because often times they will come with necessary tooling for fraction of the cost. When I bought mine 20+ years ago I wanted a 9x20, but they were out of stock, so I bought a 13x36 and it was the best decision I coould have made. If you can dind someone who is knowledgeable to take with you to look at them with you. I have spent 30 years in the trade and this advice is based on that experience. If you have any specific questions feel free to contact me.

[hairy]

I found a nice little 6" Craftsman a.ka. Atlas on Craigslist in a nearby town for $100. Very nice and I think a great buy. That being said, tooling will far outweigh the purchase price of the lathe. Small lathe=smaller cuts=longer to do the job.

[0369]

Hairy is right about small cuts to make up for less rigidity. If you do find a Craftsman, make sure it is an Atlas and not a Dunlap. Atlas are model 101XXX, and Dunlap are model 109XXX. I have a couple of both, and the Atlas are much better.
If you have the room, go as big as you can afford as long as the head stock bearings and ways are good. I alway want a bigger lathe.
South Bend, Atlas, and Logan are all reasonably priced hobby lathes. Make sure you save a large part of your budget for tooling also.