Metal lathe/Wood lathe

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Smitty37

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I am still thinking about getting a new lathe...how about some real help in making a choice.

Here are the background facts - and since I am 74 years young they are not likely to change much.

1. I will not be turning anything but pens...

2. I want variable speed

3. The lathe will not get heavy use. A couple of pens a week at the top. I turn pens as a hobby my business is selling component sets.

4. I will NEVER get into turning bowls or pepper grinders or anything like that.

I've thought about a metal lathe but I have never used one - are they even suitable for turning pens. I only consider this because I might want to get into some turning without using kits and maybe doing some threading for caps. Also it seems to me you can get more precise in turning with them. But I don't know that. This is where I'd like to get the most input - metal lathes and the suitability for pen turning and how easy or hard they are to use for that purpose.

I also want to keep the price reasonable....none of the folks likely to inherit my tools is into turning.

I know a little about the mini wood lathes (Jet, Delta, Rikon etc) but wonder if there are some little known puppies out there that might be a better value.
 
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Well Leroy I have both well I actually have 3 but one of them is a metal lathe. You will get your most precision from the metal lathe because of the X Y axis tool holder as most of the adjustments are in thousands of an inch, and if you are going to go kit-less this would be the way to go, although not necessary. Some of the members on here are only metal lathe owners who turnout some of the most beautiful pens I have ever seen.

Lin.
 
I sold a 7X10 metal lathe a few years ago, since I didn't use it much, and it was a little short at 10" capacity. But, that was before I got into pens. I'd love to get another, and would go for one of the newer 7X12s or larger. The power longitudinal feed will give you threading. The other nice feature would be the ability to "pre-round" blanks accurately, and the longitudinal feed makes this extremely easy/accurate, with or without power feed. And you could sure make some nice accessories, such as bushings.

This is the one I really want: LittleMachineShop.com - HiTorque 8.5x16 Bench Lathe

Has power longitudinal feed and power cross feed.
 
LeeR said:
I sold a 7X10 metal lathe a few years ago, since I didn't use it much, and it was a little short at 10" capacity
Click to expand...

Lee; I agree with you. The longest bed you can get for a metal lathe is none too long.

A metal lathe bed cannot be easily extended. The bed will need replacement along with the lead screw. This is difficult to do accurately.
 
In terms of capabilities the metal lathe will always win. You can always move the extra stuff to the end and pretend its a wood lathe.

Learning to use one can be a lot larder though. Threading/powerfeeds can be dangerous and properly setting up a metal lathe to be accurate is a lot of work.

Always get something a little larger than you need because working at the limits feels cramped and you never know for sure what you will be making.

In terms of pens, the biggest draw of a metal lathe is threading. Even if you don't want to do some of the internal threads on the lathe (no way would I try an internal multi-start thread <15mm diameter by hand) you can just make a tap instead.
 
Don't buy a General International lathe, 25-114 with variable Speed. It has been about two months lost as I wait for a replacement from General... Just avoid it like the black plague. for all the money and time lost, I could have purchased a Nova DVR XP.
I would have say your really can't go wrong with the Delta 46-460.
 
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Leroy, I've had a Delta 46-460 for a couple of years now and love it. The power, variable speed, reverse, no vibration and the quietness qualities of the machine are second to none. I turn mainly pens between centers using bushings purchased from Johnny C but have also tried a couple of bigger turnings which the lathe can handle. A friend had me turn 3 - 16" bubinga handles for the vises on his workbench and these were done without any problems so the type of turning is not limited to very small items.

Hope this information helps you in making your decision.
 
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