Monarch series 60 13" lathe... Am I wrong in thinking this would be an improvement?
There is a model 60 13" (14.5" actual swing) Monarch for $1900 about 4 miles from my house. I have always dreamed of a Monarch.
I listened to it run, looked it over, and it feels niiiiice! It has been painted like 7 times, which scares me but it was an USAF machine so maybe that's the reason for so many repaints? It's ways aren't worn out, and there isn't gouges, hammer marks, crashes, etc. that I would expect (like my lathes seem to be covered with).
HERE is my question: IF it is in good shape, am I wrong thinking it will be a better lathe for my personal kind of work? What I honestly do is mostly smaller than 1-1/2" diameter, mostly mild steel, and besides simple shafts and bushings also includes lots of artsy fartsy stuff. I have a South Bend 13" with VFD and a truly clapped out Sheldon 13" belt driven that I use. The Sheldon with VFD spins up to 1600 rpm safely and gets most of my use, but really is heavily worn everywhere. I was thinking the Monarch would make a nice replacement for the Sheldon, being way more rigid and WAY heavier. But maybe I'm a fool thinking it will work for all of the small diameter crap I turn. I do like nice finish and I like using carbide. But maybe this Monarch isn't the right way to go... If I want fine finishes and turn mostly smaller stuff, maybe I need to save for a 10EE. Is the 60 more for heavy removal? Is it true that though it is rigid, the gear head would hinder fine finishes??
Is it obvious I'm a wannabe machinist?!?!
This lathe sure is nice looking and feeling. Any help, even scolding, appreciated!
There is a model 60 13" (14.5" actual swing) Monarch for $1900 about 4 miles from my house. I have always dreamed of a Monarch.
I listened to it run, looked it over, and it feels niiiiice! It has been painted like 7 times, which scares me but it was an USAF machine so maybe that's the reason for so many repaints? It's ways aren't worn out, and there isn't gouges, hammer marks, crashes, etc. that I would expect (like my lathes seem to be covered with).
HERE is my question: IF it is in good shape, am I wrong thinking it will be a better lathe for my personal kind of work? What I honestly do is mostly smaller than 1-1/2" diameter, mostly mild steel, and besides simple shafts and bushings also includes lots of artsy fartsy stuff. I have a South Bend 13" with VFD and a truly clapped out Sheldon 13" belt driven that I use. The Sheldon with VFD spins up to 1600 rpm safely and gets most of my use, but really is heavily worn everywhere. I was thinking the Monarch would make a nice replacement for the Sheldon, being way more rigid and WAY heavier. But maybe I'm a fool thinking it will work for all of the small diameter crap I turn. I do like nice finish and I like using carbide. But maybe this Monarch isn't the right way to go... If I want fine finishes and turn mostly smaller stuff, maybe I need to save for a 10EE. Is the 60 more for heavy removal? Is it true that though it is rigid, the gear head would hinder fine finishes??
Is it obvious I'm a wannabe machinist?!?!
This lathe sure is nice looking and feeling. Any help, even scolding, appreciated!