Hello everyone!
I believe this is my first post, but I've been lurking for well over a year reading as much as I can. So, now it's time to make it known that I don't know anything.
It has become abundantly clear that I need a lathe over the last several years, and I can't really do without one much longer. I do general fabrication, mostly as a hobby, and I've done a considerable amount of gunsmithing work over the last decade - mostly revolving around CNC machining and engraving. I'm searching for a lathe that can hold it's accuracy, have relatively affordable and available parts should anything go wrong, and can thread.
I'd prefer a machine that can do both imperial and metric threading (which I understand the south Bends can - sort of). After reading as much as I can find, it seems metric threading is possible by switching out some of the gears, and even then you can do a few, but not all of them. This part is a little foggy for me and I'd love a little clarification as I can't seem to locate a thread that touches on it in a broad spectrum, most threads focus on a particular job or pitch.
The South Bend lathes seem to meet most of my criteria. I do like the fact they (appear) to be smaller machines. My max dimensions for my shop would be something around 8 feet long, maximum. I think my preferred machine would be the Heavy 10, as I don't see myself needing to turn anything much longer than 20" as that's about the max barrel length I typically deal with and the hardened ways increase the chances I can land a machine that still has relatively tight tolerances. I had been looking at Clausing 14x40" lathes, as they seem a little more abundant in my area. That's the next issue I've been running into. I just don't see many South Bend lathes in the north texas area. Usually I'll see one or maybe two a month. They're either outrageously overpriced, or they're sold seconds after listing. I'd love any advice if you had some - especially where to look. I look forward to hear any input you might have.
I believe this is my first post, but I've been lurking for well over a year reading as much as I can. So, now it's time to make it known that I don't know anything.
It has become abundantly clear that I need a lathe over the last several years, and I can't really do without one much longer. I do general fabrication, mostly as a hobby, and I've done a considerable amount of gunsmithing work over the last decade - mostly revolving around CNC machining and engraving. I'm searching for a lathe that can hold it's accuracy, have relatively affordable and available parts should anything go wrong, and can thread.
I'd prefer a machine that can do both imperial and metric threading (which I understand the south Bends can - sort of). After reading as much as I can find, it seems metric threading is possible by switching out some of the gears, and even then you can do a few, but not all of them. This part is a little foggy for me and I'd love a little clarification as I can't seem to locate a thread that touches on it in a broad spectrum, most threads focus on a particular job or pitch.
The South Bend lathes seem to meet most of my criteria. I do like the fact they (appear) to be smaller machines. My max dimensions for my shop would be something around 8 feet long, maximum. I think my preferred machine would be the Heavy 10, as I don't see myself needing to turn anything much longer than 20" as that's about the max barrel length I typically deal with and the hardened ways increase the chances I can land a machine that still has relatively tight tolerances. I had been looking at Clausing 14x40" lathes, as they seem a little more abundant in my area. That's the next issue I've been running into. I just don't see many South Bend lathes in the north texas area. Usually I'll see one or maybe two a month. They're either outrageously overpriced, or they're sold seconds after listing. I'd love any advice if you had some - especially where to look. I look forward to hear any input you might have.