Gunsmithing Another possible lathe, advice needed

[jacq220]

Once again, my deal is to get a lathe that i can learn on while going through class, but will be capable of turning a profit threading barrels, installing interchangable chokes, and the occasional rebarrel.

its coming down to the wire before i buy a mathews precision ready to go w/ dro for 3700 delivered.

here is what i am looking at

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/2615857050.html

its 20 miles from my house, and can get it moved for free (by me)

1 hp motor, 220 single phase
BDB1340
1 3/8th spindle bore
comes w/ a box of tooling, but nothing of any real value.

also, this guy is willing to trade for my wasr10 some ammo, and a few hundred bucks so it would cost me around 300 out of pocket and total investment would be around 1500.

what says the more knowledgeable people than me?

 

[angelballer]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

I will never buy a piece of precision machinery over the Internet without looking at it in person watching it run. If you don't know what to look for, find a good machinist friend and have them look it over for you. Otherwise, you might think you got the greatest deal in the world until it cuts ovals. Looking at pictures doesn't tell you a thing about machinery.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

Getting rid of a WASR and gaining a lathe? Sounds like a win win.

That is very similar to our lathe. We've yet to find anything it won't do that we need. And that one is the model bigger than ours. Seriously tempting. I'd go for it after checking the spindle runout. Too bad he doesn't have a 4 jaw to go with it. Its most likely a 2 1/4-8tpi spindle and those chucks ain't cheap.

 

[jacq220]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

win win, except no coolant system, work light, 4 jaw, backsplash. i have a feeling threading changes will not be as simple.

definatly wont be as nice as a mathews, but it gets me into one w/out near as much of a hit on the wallet, which means more money for tooling.

 

[jacq220]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

http://www.tools4cheap.net/proddetail.php?prod=4jawthreadchuck

looks like around 150, but i dont know what "minor" fitting they say is required. i am as green as they come w/ these lathes.

 

[ar15is223]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

Threading wont be bad with that it has a quick change gear box.

 

[K_Labs]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

You gotta have some1 check it out in person 4 you. Some1 that knows what they are doing should be able to tell if it's been crashed and FUBARed. After all it was a "school" lathe. I'm bad with names but make sure the gear that the Z axis is on is smooth from the front all the way to the back. On the other hand for an AK and $300 out of pocket you can't beat it.

That 4 jaw chuck is tempting but idk if my boss will let me throw that on ours.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

You need a 4 jaw. You can live without coolant. If that thing has not been hashed and crashed....you would be money ahead to buy it. Check spindle runout and check to see that it has been lubricated. That would be a great starter if it is tight for that kind of money.

 

[colchester]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

I think that lathe should be very well suited to do gun work. The light, coolant and 4 jaw can be acquired down the road. Condition is everything, if its beat up or damaged I would stay away

 

[Clark]

Re: Another possible lathe, advice needed

My brother has a 10 year old Jet 13x40 and his gunsmithing all looks like jewelry.

But when I use his lathe, my work still looks like Homer Simpson made it.