Hey guys,
I'm about to purchase my first lathe, a mini-lathe, and hoping for a little guidance. I will be using the lathe for some learning and R&D in my home shop.
I was initially seeking a 7x12 lathe. However, recently I began looking for an 8x12 or 8x14 mini-lathe, as I read that they are better (more solid, accurate, etc.) than the 7x? and 9x? series lathes. I have no clue whether that's true. I'm finding it hard to find a selection of Canadian suppliers of 8x? units. So, now I am back to considering the 7x12 once again.
So, a few questions:
1. Is the Craftex CX704 lathe considered a good one in the 7x12 size?
2. When the 7x12 indicates 0-1100 and 0-2500 spindle speeds, can the lathe actually operate at speeds as low as 20 RPM say? If so, why cannot the 10x22 model do the same (specs indicate low ranges of 100 and 200 RPM)
3. Is the 7x12 easily CNC-able? Any idea of the cost & effort to do so? (I've already built a CNC machine, so I'm very familiar with the much of the fundamentals, G-code, stepper, controller, SolidWorks, etc.)
4. Does this seem like a good starting point for somebody just learning to use a lathe (I'm a professional engineer, 20+yrs experience, love to build stuff, etc.)?
My limitations are the amount of floor space I wish to dedicate to the lathe (7x12 seems great in this respect).
Any and all comments would be welcome.
Thank you!
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., R Thompson wrote:
>
> Hi Don,
>
> I've gone from I don't have room for a home lathe to being on the
> verge of buying a new Sherline. For what I envision doing, and that I
> have more confidence in North American and European products, with a
> little bit of a preference to employ people closer to home, its a good
> fit.
>
> But like you, I'll let my wife know how thrilled I'll be with this
> gift from her :-) That and I'll put in some overtime and find something
> for her that she wouldn't have purchased for herself, other than lathe
> attachments that is. Hmmm, maybe a milling machine.
>
> Now I have to find a source of working material at a reasonable
> price.
>
> BTW, I went to Bramalea Secondary School until 1972, were we had
> machine shop in grades 9 and 10.
>
> Ron
>
> On Thu, 2012-11-15 at 16:35 +0000, dvgraphicsca wrote:
> >
> > Ron
> > I bought the Busy Bee CX704 lathe and the DRO kit here in Toronto on
> > sale at $958 CDN tax included. I have it home and cleaned up but have
> > not yet installed the DRO kit. I put a large bow on it to remind my
> > wife that it is a Christmas present from her and not a crazy impulse
> > purchase on my part.
> >
> > It looks like a fairly easy learning curve headed my way as I
> > transition from my elderly Unimat DB200 that has served for 45 years
> > or so and will continue to do so in a reduced role.
> >
> > I have made a spot for it to reside in my little shop but lack the
> > muscle to get it there on my own so I am keeping an eye out for
> > neighbours that may be attracted to short lived employment in the
> > moving business with a tot or two of Scotch.
> >
> > Don Hamilton
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> >
> > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., R Thompson wrote:
> > >
> > > Thanks Roy,
> > >
> > > I was thinking of putting off my purchase for now, maybe I should
> > > re-think it. They have a few books of interest, I hope that someone
> > > will continue to offer them at a reasonable price.
> > >
> > > Sometimes resisting the impulse buying urge means a missed
> > > opportunity. Its hard to know what to do.
> > >
> > > While on the subject of impulse buying, BusyBee Tools, which has a
> > > store in Edmonton (cheaper shipping to Yellowknife from there) > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
