I want to start tinkering with building my own rifle.
Any idea where to look for a used lathe and mill.
Any idea where to look for a used lathe and mill.
- Thread starter LC 6.5 Shooter
- Start date
I found my Logan lathe on Craigslist. You could also try auctions like westauction as they have Bridgeport mills up now and then.
Ok thx. Yeah theres one each in WV but im in Houston.
that is the problem with heavy equipment.
Checkout Facebook marketplace if you’re on there and craigslist. If you get any heavy equipment, the $80 to rent a drop deck trailer is money well spent if you don’t have a big tractor/forklift to lift the machine at home.
TX is apparently a bad area for used equipment. In the Midwest there are always shops going out of business or upgrading equipment. It's a long drive but normally lots available. 99% of the shops run CNC now so Bridgeports and manual lathes are totally obsolete to them. There are many outfits that buy up equipment/overhaul and re sell. Many have very large inventories. Google is your friend.
If you are buying used equipment, have an EXPERIENCED machinist with you, to inspect the equipment. Factors like WEAR and Missing Parts can make a "steal" end up being an expensive boat anchor. A lot of used equipment is retired because it has worn ways and travels/dovetails. Run through all the gears (under power), to make sure you have no gears with broken teeth. Finding replacement gears for some older equipment can be tough.
Know in advance what is the largest piece of work you will do. A lathe with a 20 inch travel, will not machine a 16 inch barrel without a lot of fuss. You will want to make sure the hole through the spindle of the lathe is large enough to accommodate the largest diameter of metal you will be working and supporting with a "spider". A lathe with a 5 inch chuck, will typically not grasp an item which is 5 inches around. Milling machines can have similar limitations.
Consider visiting the kind folks at hobby-machinist dot com, as they even have a gunsmithing section on their site. It is a great source for basic information.
Know in advance what is the largest piece of work you will do. A lathe with a 20 inch travel, will not machine a 16 inch barrel without a lot of fuss. You will want to make sure the hole through the spindle of the lathe is large enough to accommodate the largest diameter of metal you will be working and supporting with a "spider". A lathe with a 5 inch chuck, will typically not grasp an item which is 5 inches around. Milling machines can have similar limitations.
Consider visiting the kind folks at hobby-machinist dot com, as they even have a gunsmithing section on their site. It is a great source for basic information.
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Next is the question of power, lots of used machine shop equipment is 3 phase and higher voltage so don't expect to plug these things into a regular wall outlet.
Craigslist and Facebook marketplace have some equipment on them but a lot of it is ratty old stuff that needs overhauled(a job in itself) so make sure you either bring a machinist or learn what you're looking at before you buy one. Looks like there's a couple good lathes for $3500 on Craigslist in Houston.
That would make a good garage lathe
That would be a good garage mill.
Let me add that I'm not affiliated with either of these. I'm basing my statements of them being "good" off a quick read of the Craigslist ad and they should be evaluated by someone who knows what they're looking at prior to purchase. Also I'm not local to Houston so I can't be of help to you in the inspection but you could easily find a mom and pop machine shop and offer them $100 to inspect a machine for your garage prior to buying.
Craigslist and Facebook marketplace have some equipment on them but a lot of it is ratty old stuff that needs overhauled(a job in itself) so make sure you either bring a machinist or learn what you're looking at before you buy one. Looks like there's a couple good lathes for $3500 on Craigslist in Houston.
16x30" TOOLROOM SOUTH BEND LATHE TOOLING - tools - by owner - sale
For sale is a Heavy duty 16x30" TOOLROOM SOUTH BEND LATHE TOOLING". Excellent 220v 1phase with a VFD, variable speed. Comes with more than enough to get started: 3 & 4 jaw chucks, Aloris AXA...
houston.craigslist.org
That would make a good garage lathe
Step Pulley Bridgeport Mill - tools - by owner - sale
Step Pulley Bridgeport Milling Machine for sale. Ways are in good shape and she's clean, oiled, and ready to go. I have machinery skates and a lift to help load it on a trailer if you have one that...
houston.craigslist.org
That would be a good garage mill.
Let me add that I'm not affiliated with either of these. I'm basing my statements of them being "good" off a quick read of the Craigslist ad and they should be evaluated by someone who knows what they're looking at prior to purchase. Also I'm not local to Houston so I can't be of help to you in the inspection but you could easily find a mom and pop machine shop and offer them $100 to inspect a machine for your garage prior to buying.
Ebay has some companies that resell industrial equipment, also. 20 years ago I was thinking about the same, but I couldn't tell good old equipment from bad, so I ended up buying a Grizzly 12x36 lathe and tabletop mill. They've been great.
Now, I might try to find an old Heavy 10 and Bridgeport. Still might not see a problem on the old equipment, but I'm pretty confident I could figure out how to fix almost anything other than worn ways.
Now, I might try to find an old Heavy 10 and Bridgeport. Still might not see a problem on the old equipment, but I'm pretty confident I could figure out how to fix almost anything other than worn ways.
I've been through this and bought a new lathe. I spent more on tooling then I did on the lathe.
Understand, this is a considerable investment.
There are some bench top lathes that can do the job, if you're talking a couple of barrels a year.
The advantage is they are easier to ship and set up.
Understand, this is a considerable investment.
There are some bench top lathes that can do the job, if you're talking a couple of barrels a year.
The advantage is they are easier to ship and set up.
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