Hi Robert,

Thank you for your advice. I didn't know any of that. I went to LittleMachineShop.com. First, I saw their 7x12 deluxe, which has 2 DROs, one on the compound rest, the other on the cross-slide. As you said, they are 500W.

Then, also at LMS, I saw their 3536 HiTorque 81?2×16 Bench Lathe, and noticed the *power cross-feed*, 1.34HP, etc. Do you think that the 8.5x16 (Sieg SC4) would be a better option than the 7x12? (Shoot, OK, given that this is a 7x12 group, that will be the last question that I'll ask about that one (hopefully I didn't break the rules on my very first day...:))

Thx!

--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Robert Furmanak" wrote:
>
> The Craftex looks like a Seig. Essentially the same machine as a Harbor
> Freight, Mico Mark, Grizzly, and Little Machine Shop (which has a much more
> powerful motor than the others.)
>
>
>
> Yes, it will run at 20 RPM, but the torque is minimal. If that is a
> concern, get the LMS. Or get a 7x14 or 7x16. They all have motors at
> least 50 percent more powerful than the 7x10's or 12's. Typically 500 watts
> vs. 300 in the Craftex. The LMS uses a stepper motor which is much better
> at low RPM's Probably more amenable to CNC'ing, as well
>
>
>
> Overall, they are great starter lathes, and capable of reasonable precision.
> I have modified mine considerably, and as such, have not yet outgrown it.
> While I have not CNC'd mine, I have put a DRO on it.
>
>
>
> From: 7x12minilathe@... [mailto:7x12minilathe@...]
> On Behalf Of machspace
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 2:34 PM
> To: 7x12minilathe@...
> Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: Hello from Yellowknife
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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) > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>