Help buying a precision Lathe

rajhlinux · Jul 17, 2020

Anyone have any recommendation which metal lathe is a good one from alibaba or what not?

Applications that I'll be using the lathe for:
-Precision gears
-Precision water connector with threads of all kinds (Both American and British)
-Quick Connectors
-Hydraulics

Note: I do not want to play with the lathe gearing system just to change simple threading. The lathe machine needs to have an automatic gearing system to change threading pitch.

Edit:
Budget: $5K.

Thanks for any recommendations!

GregSY · Jul 17, 2020

What you're asking for is a beating.

rajhlinux · Jul 17, 2020

GregSY said:
What you're asking for is a beating.

Ok what is the minimum budget I need?

tnmgcarbide · Jul 17, 2020

GregSY said:
What you're asking for is a beating.

i don't think he understood your reply......

rajhlinux · Jul 17, 2020

I guess I didn't... so does it mean that there is no lathe out there that can suit my needs?

michiganbuck · Jul 17, 2020

Buying used with measuring tools very likely $10,000, just a decent lathe might be $5,000
Good would be to sit down with an experienced fellow and explain your first few products to get an idea what you might need, then pay someone to help you choose machines and equipment.
For a cold turkey stat-up likely $100K could be spent pretty darn quick.
likely have to hire an experienced person ru=ight off the bat to make some products.

You might find that a lathe is not even the best machine to stat with depending of your product..

rajhlinux · Jul 17, 2020

Thanks for the insight. $5K for a CNC lathe? If so where would be the best place to find a used one other than craigslist. Didn't know that I'll need to pay someone to buy a lathe for the above applications I need it for, but spending $5K on lathe seems like it is wise to pay someone for the investment.

michiganbuck · Jul 17, 2020

QT: {Precision water connector with threads of all kinds (Both American and British)
-Quick Connectors
-Hydraulics]

Much/mostly made with very high production machines that kick out parts for pennies each.. hard to get into the market of standard catalog stuff.
Few-ups and specials and custom are a good money maker but you have to be known so customers can find you.

GregSY · Jul 17, 2020

What I mean is...you can't look on alibaba for a lathe and expect to come out on top. You also can't buy a lathe (new) for $1600 and expect it to be anything other than pure junk. Even a used lathe, very unlikely. You need to set a higher budget and from the onset refuse anything Chinese made.

michiganbuck · Jul 17, 2020

You can often lease a machine for way less than buying one...but you have to know what kind of macine and equipment you need to finish a part. Then you should know that you will be able to sell it/them.

Mike1974 · Jul 17, 2020

GregSY said:
What you're asking for is a beating.

Needed more than a like!

OP, if you need to thread, and don't want to change gears, your $1600 budget is not even close. You realize a box of threading inserts will be over $100, and the toolholder for them will be about $100 give or take. Then you need OD turning tool(s), and inserts for them. It might cost you $1k to get started, unless you are going with HSS, but that is another discussion.

...Maybe send out an RFQ for a few parts if you are trying to develop some type of product. Don't forget to post pics with dimensions and tolerances if you go that route...

michiganbuck · Jul 17, 2020

The metal and brass fittings you see selling for $20 likely cost $2 or $3 to make...Plastic ones for $3 to $6 likely cost $.25 to $2.00 to make, package and ship.

Hardplates · Jul 17, 2020

Mike1974 said:
Needed more than a like!

OP, if you need to thread, and don't want to change gears, your $1600 budget is not even close. You realize a box of threading inserts will be over $100, and the toolholder for them will be about $100 give or take. Then you need OD turning tool(s), and inserts for them. It might cost you $1k to get started, unless you are going with HSS, but that is another discussion.

...Maybe send out an RFQ for a few parts if you are trying to develop some type of product. Don't forget to post pics with dimensions and tolerances if you go that route...

Peanuts compared to the cost of learning how to use it or paying for someone who knows!

Quality parts require experience and money, if one is slightly lacking it can be made up for with an excess of the other but.......if one is missing many interesting things will happen but success will not be one of them.

Mtndew · Jul 17, 2020

rajhlinux said:
Anyone have any recommendation which metal lathe is a good one from alibaba or what not?

Applications that I'll be using the lathe for:
-Precision gears
-Precision water connector with threads of all kinds (Both American and British)
-Quick Connectors
-Hydraulics

Note: I do not want to play with the lathe gearing system just to change simple threading. The lathe machine needs to have an automatic gearing system to change threading pitch.

Budget: $1,600.

Thanks for any recommendations!

Have you ever ran a lathe before?

dian · Jul 17, 2020

theres plenty of machines on alibaba that might do the job, starting around $6'000. i assume you want to make stuff for your own needs. this is probably the wrong place to ask about them.

Automation Equipment Numericl Control China Hybrid Cnc Machine Tool Lathe Manufacturers - Buy China Cnc Lathe,Cnc Lathe Manufacturers,Lathe Machine Cnc Product on Alibaba.com

DDoug · Jul 17, 2020

rajhlinux said:
Anyone have any recommendation which metal lathe is a good one from alibaba or what not?

Applications that I'll be using the lathe for:
-Precision gears
-Precision water connector with threads of all kinds (Both American and British)
-Quick Connectors
-Hydraulics

Note: I do not want to play with the lathe gearing system just to change simple threading. The lathe machine needs to have an automatic gearing system to change threading pitch.

Budget: $1,600.

Thanks for any recommendations!

All these replies..... :skep:

And yet, the OP has not indicated sizes involved, materials, intricate contours needed/not, nor quantities expected to produce.

michiganbuck · Jul 17, 2020

$1600 lathe could make the likes of a very nice special tap wrench to be sold on Ebay.
Likely one could make $20K a year with such a product so learning about bussiness and the lathe.

Yes, a decent $600 lathe could do the same.
Likely need make and sell 20 a week,,and once set up and running you could kick out 20 in one day.

Mike1974 · Jul 17, 2020

digger doug said:
All these replies.....

And yet, the OP has not indicated sizes involved, materials, intricate contours needed/not, nor quantities expected to produce.

Fair enough Doug, but I *think* when most of us think lathe we are thinking something like a Hardinge, or a small - medium size cnc (Haas St20'ish size). I would think OP is not asking for a monster lathe for that price, but I suppose he might be looking at a benchtop toy...

Hardplates · Jul 17, 2020

digger doug said:
All these replies.....

And yet, the OP has not indicated sizes involved, materials, intricate contours needed/not, nor quantities expected to produce.

One hundred million dollars or at the current exchange rate 2,319,100,000,000.00 Vietnamese Dong

DDoug · Jul 17, 2020

Hardplates said:
One hundred million dollars or at the current exchange rate 2,319,100,000,000.00 Vietnamese Dong

Naw...50,000 KronKites….nothing less:
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and:
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Help buying a precision Lathe

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