Gunsmithing anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

[tjonh2001]

I would like to find a lathe that is smaller in size BUT still is big enough for working on my barrels. i have access to a 13x54 at a friends shop. I am looking for something smaller for me to keep in my garage without taking up to much room. I was looking at the grizzly bench top lathes. since they have a 1 7/16 bore through the chuck.
I am looking for a quality built bench model for my garage so I would like to find a 9x20 or 12x24. I know that It would be nice to have 36 or 40 between centers but I wont need it in my garage. If I need one that big I will go to friends shop.
So my question is--
Anyone know a lathe that will have a 1 3/8 or larger bore that will meet my needs?
Anyone know who make a nice mill for working on my stocks and cleaning up bedding jobs?

 

[pat4668]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

i remember when i was in wood working shop in hs we had a mini lath for making real small things like legs for a coffee table and id like to find a small one same size for metal, i didnt know the size or brand model but did contact the school and they said they had sold that thing along time ago and could give any info on it. my suggestion would be contact some schools that are remodeling in your area that might help.

 

[cwshooter]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

I've got a G0602 Grizzly. 1" through the headstock, which is big for the small machines... most of which are 3/4.
t's 1.2" through the chuck. it's just big enough for some barrel work, as long as you plan on turning the barrel down enought to get some length into the headstock. certainly would be a lot better to have a bigger machine, but i've got dimensional and budgetary constraints to work under. that said, i just built a sweet little 308 that's shooting quite well with it.
cw

 

[shooter53]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

Check out Smithy lathes and lathe/mill combo machines.

www.smithy.com


I've had a 1220 Midas for over 11 years. It's a greatlittle machine for the price. The machines are accurate, reasonably priced, very good documentation (instructions on use and setup)and their customer service has been excellent. I highly recommend getting a DRO as soon as possible. It took me severaly years to put one on mine and now I don't know how I ever built some of the guns I did ( yes I do, VERY VERY SLOWLY). I built 4 or 5 long guns with it back in the day and all were sub 0.5 MOA shooters.

Hope this helped

 

[kraigWY]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

I have a Jet 12 X 36 for most of my work. I also have a Jet 6X18 that I find quite handy for many small projects. Making little screws, pins, and other small parts. I have a pretty good set of MT-2 collets that work great in the little jet for getting something centered without having to use faceplates, 4 jaw chucks, etc. Cant do barrel work, it only has a 5/8" spindle hole, but I have my larger lathe for that.

Setup on little parts seems easier on the little lathe.

 

[300sniper]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

if you are going to get a short bed, you better make damn sure that the spindle diameter is large enough to fit the largest barrel you will work on plus some fudge room.

 

[steve123]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM1027.html

These are supposed to be some of the better chinese tools

 

[g5]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM1027.html

These are supposed to be some of the better chinese tools </div></div>

Nice link.

 

[madd0c]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

WOW,
Shooter53, the www.smithy.com link is a great resource. I downloaded the 120 page manual for the Midas and it covers an ENORMOUS amount of basic info for a novice. Great diagrams on thread chasing, facing, inside threading, cutoffs etc.

For all the times I have seen questions on getting started in using a lathe on this and other forums, that link is a great starting point if you download the manual.

Thanks for the great information,
madd0c

 

[tjonh2001]

Re: anyone make a smaller lathe for in home shop

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: g5</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM1027.html

These are supposed to be some of the better chinese tools </div></div>

Nice link. </div></div>

Anyone use these tools they seem to be a great buy but i want something that will last for a few years.