开云体育

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Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

Thanks for the comments on the gears. I thought it best to stay with the plastic gears for reasons mentioned in this thread.

At some point, I may go with the 16" bed that LMS offers to upgrade my 7x10. The bed was out of stock when I checked the other day.

Stan


On 3/16/22 18:49, mike allen wrote:

??? ??? Plastic gears don't disintegrate like Zamak gears

??? animal

On 3/16/2022 11:51 AM, Bruce J wrote:
This! the plastic gears are much easier to replace than metal parts of the lathe!

In one of his lathe videos Mr Pete mentions this is one reason why they made the change gears for old Atlas lathes out of Zamak: it was dead easy to cast very accurately and it would be the weak point in case of a jam.

On Mar 15, 2022, at 7:27 PM, gcvisalia@... wrote:

As to plastic gears, I hate plastic. Now saying that, I have broken a plastic gear due to my idiocy. If that plastic gear had not broken, things would have turned out seriously badly.

--?
Bruce Johnson

"Wherever you go, there you are." B. Banzai, PhD


Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

??? ??? Plastic gears don't disintegrate like Zamak gears

??? animal

On 3/16/2022 11:51 AM, Bruce J wrote:

This! the plastic gears are much easier to replace than metal parts of the lathe!

In one of his lathe videos Mr Pete mentions this is one reason why they made the change gears for old Atlas lathes out of Zamak: it was dead easy to cast very accurately and it would be the weak point in case of a jam.

On Mar 15, 2022, at 7:27 PM, gcvisalia@... wrote:

As to plastic gears, I hate plastic. Now saying that, I have broken a plastic gear due to my idiocy. If that plastic gear had not broken, things would have turned out seriously badly.

--?
Bruce Johnson

"Wherever you go, there you are." B. Banzai, PhD

Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

"Given I said 'buy the cheapest,' I modify that to say, not the HF 7x10"

On the other hand, that's what I originally bought and I used it for many years before buying the LMS bed-extension kit.? The big weakness of that lathe is drilling from the tailstock with larger drills, because there just isn't room to put a drill chuck in the tailstock spindle, hold a large drill in it, and have room to hold the work in a chuck. Often I wound up holding the drill bit in alignment with the tailstock center, using a lathe dog clamped on the drill to keep it from turning. (I even made a special tailstock center that sticks out less then a regular center).? I also got fairly adept at holding work on the faceplate which sticks out much less than a chuck.

But all those little tricks have turned out to be good to know, and I still use some of them, even though I bought a 14" bed years later (and a big, 11" Logan lathe many years after that). So if a little HF lathe comes your way at the right price, it's well worth it.

Mike Taglieri?



On Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 10:45 AM Craig Hopewell via <cch80124=[email protected]> wrote:
Given I said "buy the cheapest", I modify that to say, not the HF 7x10 which is really an 7x8 when measured by the method used to spec every other 7x mini-lathe.? ? It is too short and "crowded" compared to other versions.? ?A 7x12 or 7x14 is adequate for most all work.
--
Lone Tree, Colorado? ?USA

Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

This! the plastic gears are much easier to replace than metal parts of the lathe!

In one of his lathe videos Mr Pete mentions this is one reason why they made the change gears for old Atlas lathes out of Zamak: it was dead easy to cast very accurately and it would be the weak point in case of a jam.

On Mar 15, 2022, at 7:27 PM, gcvisalia@... wrote:

As to plastic gears, I hate plastic. Now saying that, I have broken a plastic gear due to my idiocy. If that plastic gear had not broken, things would have turned out seriously badly.

--?
Bruce Johnson

"Wherever you go, there you are." B. Banzai, PhD

Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

Thanks for clearing that up Brian.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian VanDragt
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 9:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

Oops, it was 2006 but I have a 7x14 not 16. I know it was the longest one available at the time, but I didn't realize that they snuck a longer one in since then. It has the old brushed motor. Now it is going to be too short for the next job I want to do.

?

Brian?

?

?

-------- Original message --------

From: Michael Jablonski <michaeljab@...>

Date: 3/15/22 7:05 PM (GMT-05:00)

Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

Hmmmm, are you sure about that year (2006) for a 7x16? I was looking for a mini lathe and I recall Micro-Mark releasing the 7x16 in the spring/summer of 2010. Micro-Mark was the only place that was selling a 7x16.

?

Just looked it up and mini-lathe.com shows the 7x16 as a “New” lathe in 2010.

< >

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian VanDragt
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

My Micro Mark 7x16 was $496 in 2006, but they have been improved since then.

?

Brian

On 03/15/2022 5:05 PM Michael Jablonski <michaeljab@...> wrote:

?

?

Hello Jack,

I never mentioned a $400 machine. Back in 2011 when I purchased my Micro-Mark 7x16 it was on sale for $729.95.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jacques Savard
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1:54 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

?

Is it? this one

?

at 1400.00? it not? the same machine?

the first? you speak about is 400.00

?

jack 47 71

?

?

After reading the replies, I’ve decided to post my list showing the reasons I chose the 7x16 from MicroMark.

?

As I and others have said, the main reasons were Brushless DC Motor (no Hi/Lo gears), and longer bed .

?

With changes over the past 10 years some of the information may be out of date.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

Micro Mark 7x16 lathe

?

Pros:

Longest bed available on a 7x lathe

See some measurement photos of the bed length at

< >

?????????????? - 16 inches between centers (actually more than 16 inches, see photos)

?????????????? - added room when drilling with a tail stock drill chuck

?????????????? - allows you to use longer drill bits

?????????????? - allows you to get the tail stock out of the way when not in use

?????????????? - extra length is good to have if you use a larger 4 or 5 inch chuck which requires an adapter plate

?

Powerful 500 watt DC brushless motor

?????????????? - lots of low speed torque

?????????????? - no brushes to deal with

?????????????? - quieter

?????????????? - full range of speeds available with the turn of the speed adjustment potentiometer

?????????????? - no need to change gears for HI/LO speeds

?

No HI/LO gears

?????????????? - often made of plastic and users break them requiring replacement

?????????????? - quieter operation without these gears

?

Spindle Thru Hole

?????????????? - 20.5mm (0.807") spindle thru hole

?????????????? - This is 0.5mm (0.020") larger than HI/LO geared spindle lathes

?

True Split nut

?????????????? - has a true split nut for power feed and threading. Some others only have a half nut with a support

?

Collet Drawbar

?????????????? - Comes with a collet drawbar for use with a ER25 collet set (THIS IS NOT FOR A MT3 COLLET).

?????????????? ? This style of collet does not allow for long piece of material to be passed thru them. They have a set depth.

?

Round Head Phillips screws on cross slide and compound handles instead of the cap screws that some other lathes use

?????????????? - users complain of scraped knuckles on lathes with cap screws

?????????????? - Note: these screws are of the phillips variety, not the "Crown Bolt" hex socket variety for use with an allen wrench

?

Cam lock tail stock

?????????????? - Allows you to lock the tail stock down, or loosen it, with a flip of the lever

?????????????? - No searching for a wrench to tighten or loosen the nut

?

True inch scales 0.050" per turn on cross slide and compound

?????????????? - Tail stock quill also has scale in inches

?

Shipped in two boxes

?????????????? - lighter weight boxes prevents shipping damage

?

No Red shipping grease

?????????????? - Some lathes come covered with red shipping grease* all over them requiring lots of clean up

?????????????? - Micro Mark lathes come with oil on them to prevent rust during shipping

????????????????????????????? * Other users are reporting that other dealers are now shipping their lathes with oil instead of red grease

?

Port for optional Tachometer

?????????????? -The headstock has a port for an optional plug in tachometer,

?????????????? ??this tachometer can be used on a mini mill that has the same port

?

Cons:

Price is on the high side for a 7x lathe.

More assembly required.

Takes up more table space.

?

Neutrals:

Same cross slide travel limitations as other SIEG & Real Bull mini lathes have.

?

No safety switched chuck/chip guard. Some users experience problems with this switch going out preventing the lathe from starting.

?

Forward/Neutral/Reverse lever detents need to be drilled deeper or even moved.

This is listed as a neutral since this flaw seems to appear on just about all the mini lathes.

?

?

The Big Dog version comes equipped with a "lever lock" tailstock and spindle speed readout as standard (spindle speed is optional extra on Sieg)

?

The Big Dog RB also comes with a number of features not available on any Sieg equivalent that I am aware of

?

4" 3 jaw universal chuck as standard with no backplate required. Allows full use of the 20mm pass through of the spindle from the box (not possible with the 3" chuck on Siegs)

Saddle lock as standard

Lead screw end float adjuster as standard

Oilers fitted to lead screw, saddle, tailstock as standard

Saddle way wipes fitted as standard

Positive locking of slide dials (via an Allen screw as opposed to Sieg spring restraint

?

< >

< >

< >

?

Whatever machine a buyer ends up with, they need to do their homework carefully and review their requirements against the specs and prices before making any purchases. This group is here to answer any questions and offer personal opinions and experiences. If you have a question please ask it.

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of MZ Rider
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2022 5:35 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

I am thinking of buying a new mini lathe. The prices however seem to be in a ratio of 1 to 3 from lowest to highest. This is after making allowances for what is supplied, which for a basic model, which is all I want is the gears and a 3 jaw chuck plus a few tools. Currently cheapest on Amazon Prime in the UK is around ?400 for a 7x12 no DRO. OK for what I want. Yet similar machines seem to go up to nearer ?1200 from other suppliers.

As far as I can see they look identical. I can deal with the setting up etc.?

My experiences of cheap and cheerful Chinese products with a? few exceptions is that so long as one does not expect too much one will not be disappointed. However a 1:3 price difference for obviously the same product is not usual.

?
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

Many?thanks, Ryan!

Martin

On Wed, 16 Mar 2022, 10:59 Ryan H via , <ifly172=[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Martin.?

I went with the Clough 42 based system. He has several YouTube videos about the design. Basically he sells a kit that has two boards that plugs into a Texas Instruments board and those two boards, well three, one is the remote control, together along with an enclosed optical encoder provide the inputs and outputs to control the speed of a stepper motor that drives the lead screw. He sells his kit on eBay, the Ti board is available from Digikey, Mouser or Ti direct and the encoder and stepper motor and driver kits are available a lot of places. I bought mine from Amazon.?

All told I have 420.00 in mine. That's everything including the aluminum to build the mount, screws, belts and pulleys, wiring, etc.?

Like I said, not necessarily cheap but for me it's been worth every penny. I got tired very very fast of messing with the gears and this completely eliminates them on the 7x.??I'm very happy with it.?

Ryan
On Mar 16, 2022, 5:37 AM -0400, Martin F. Slater <mfslater@...>, wrote:
Hi Ryan

Some info on your ELS? Make (brand), cost, availability?

Martin
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Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

Given I said "buy the cheapest", I modify that to say, not the HF 7x10 which is really an 7x8 when measured by the method used to spec every other 7x mini-lathe.? ? It is too short and "crowded" compared to other versions.? ?A 7x12 or 7x14 is adequate for most all work.
--
Lone Tree, Colorado? ?USA
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

?

I work also? in wood?? late

?

And ?for? very long?? work

?

We ?just? put? x2? late? front? to front

?

Probably ?not realy? a good? solution? for? metal? work

?

BUT

?

A real solution??? if? you have? a second late

?

?

Or ?back to back

?

Jack 47 71

?

?

I have a 7x14 and on a couple projects a x16 would really have come in handy. Using a live center in the tailstock really eats up space. On the x14 with a center in the tailstock I made a new 10 3/4 inch long cross slide feed screw but it was tight. The extra couple inches would really have been nice to have. 7x16's weren't readily available when I got my lathe but if I was buying now I'd get the longest bed available. Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it but if you need it and don't have it you're in a bit more of a tight spot.?

I have also gone to metal gears on the motor and internally. I broke an internal plastic gear very early on. I think I got a bad one as it didn't take much to snap a tooth off. I don't find it to be loud but really didn't run the plastic ones enough to know how they sound. It's not like the metal ones clunk or clang or anything.?

That said, I wouldn't swap them out just to do it but I'd have a spare set on hand, either metal or plastic so if / when one lets go you can go to your spare parts box and get right to swapping them instead of waiting for a set to arrive in the mail especially with the current supply issues. I've been waiting for LMS to get some parts in I want for a couple months. Fortunately they aren't parts I need to get up and running but if they were I'd be stuck with a broke machine.?

I also swapped the headstock bearings out for tapered bearings while I had it apart and would definitely do that again. That made a vast improvement in being able to part off. There's now a different option on the bearings that seems like an easier swap. Again, I'd have them on hand if you decide to do it so you're not waiting on availability.?

I used the plastic thread drive gears without any problems but have gone to an electronic lead screw as I do quite a bit single point threading now and constantly having to swap the change gears got old really fast. That wasn't exactly cheap but has been worth every penny for what I do.?

Ryan

On Mar 15, 2022, 11:29 PM -0400, Ralph Lehotsky <ralphlehotsky@...>, wrote:

I run metal gears in place of the 80 tooth gears.? They are noisier but I'm a bit hard of hearing, so I don't mind.

?

ralphie
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

Hi Martin.?

I went with the Clough 42 based system. He has several YouTube videos about the design. Basically he sells a kit that has two boards that plugs into a Texas Instruments board and those two boards, well three, one is the remote control, together along with an enclosed optical encoder provide the inputs and outputs to control the speed of a stepper motor that drives the lead screw. He sells his kit on eBay, the Ti board is available from Digikey, Mouser or Ti direct and the encoder and stepper motor and driver kits are available a lot of places. I bought mine from Amazon.?

All told I have 420.00 in mine. That's everything including the aluminum to build the mount, screws, belts and pulleys, wiring, etc.?

Like I said, not necessarily cheap but for me it's been worth every penny. I got tired very very fast of messing with the gears and this completely eliminates them on the 7x.??I'm very happy with it.?

Ryan
On Mar 16, 2022, 5:37 AM -0400, Martin F. Slater <mfslater@...>, wrote:

Hi Ryan

Some info on your ELS? Make (brand), cost, availability?

Martin
Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group.

View/Reply Online (#115769) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic
Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [mfslater@...]
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

Hi Ryan

Some info on your ELS? Make (brand), cost, availability?

Martin

Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group.

View/Reply Online (#115769) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic
Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [mfslater@...]

_._,_._,_
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

I have a 7x14 and on a couple projects a x16 would really have come in handy. Using a live center in the tailstock really eats up space. On the x14 with a center in the tailstock I made a new 10 3/4 inch long cross slide feed screw but it was tight. The extra couple inches would really have been nice to have. 7x16's weren't readily available when I got my lathe but if I was buying now I'd get the longest bed available. Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it but if you need it and don't have it you're in a bit more of a tight spot.?

I have also gone to metal gears on the motor and internally. I broke an internal plastic gear very early on. I think I got a bad one as it didn't take much to snap a tooth off. I don't find it to be loud but really didn't run the plastic ones enough to know how they sound. It's not like the metal ones clunk or clang or anything.?

That said, I wouldn't swap them out just to do it but I'd have a spare set on hand, either metal or plastic so if / when one lets go you can go to your spare parts box and get right to swapping them instead of waiting for a set to arrive in the mail especially with the current supply issues. I've been waiting for LMS to get some parts in I want for a couple months. Fortunately they aren't parts I need to get up and running but if they were I'd be stuck with a broke machine.?

I also swapped the headstock bearings out for tapered bearings while I had it apart and would definitely do that again. That made a vast improvement in being able to part off. There's now a different option on the bearings that seems like an easier swap. Again, I'd have them on hand if you decide to do it so you're not waiting on availability.?

I used the plastic thread drive gears without any problems but have gone to an electronic lead screw as I do quite a bit single point threading now and constantly having to swap the change gears got old really fast. That wasn't exactly cheap but has been worth every penny for what I do.?

Ryan
On Mar 15, 2022, 11:29 PM -0400, Ralph Lehotsky <ralphlehotsky@...>, wrote:

I run metal gears in place of the 80 tooth gears.? They are noisier but I'm a bit hard of hearing, so I don't mind.
?
ralphie
Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

Oops, it was 2006 but I have a 7x14 not 16. I know it was the longest one available at the time, but I didn't realize that they snuck a longer one in since then. It has the old brushed motor. Now it is going to be too short for the next job I want to do.

Brian?


-------- Original message --------
From: Michael Jablonski <michaeljab@...>
Date: 3/15/22 7:05 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

Hmmmm, are you sure about that year (2006) for a 7x16? I was looking for a mini lathe and I recall Micro-Mark releasing the 7x16 in the spring/summer of 2010. Micro-Mark was the only place that was selling a 7x16.

?

Just looked it up and mini-lathe.com shows the 7x16 as a “New” lathe in 2010.

< >

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian VanDragt
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

My Micro Mark 7x16 was $496 in 2006, but they have been improved since then.

?

Brian

On 03/15/2022 5:05 PM Michael Jablonski <michaeljab@...> wrote:

?

?

Hello Jack,

I never mentioned a $400 machine. Back in 2011 when I purchased my Micro-Mark 7x16 it was on sale for $729.95.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jacques Savard
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1:54 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

?

Is it? this one

?

at 1400.00? it not? the same machine?

the first? you speak about is 400.00

?

jack 47 71

?

?

After reading the replies, I’ve decided to post my list showing the reasons I chose the 7x16 from MicroMark.

?

As I and others have said, the main reasons were Brushless DC Motor (no Hi/Lo gears), and longer bed .

?

With changes over the past 10 years some of the information may be out of date.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

Micro Mark 7x16 lathe

?

Pros:

Longest bed available on a 7x lathe

See some measurement photos of the bed length at

< >

?????????????? - 16 inches between centers (actually more than 16 inches, see photos)

?????????????? - added room when drilling with a tail stock drill chuck

?????????????? - allows you to use longer drill bits

?????????????? - allows you to get the tail stock out of the way when not in use

?????????????? - extra length is good to have if you use a larger 4 or 5 inch chuck which requires an adapter plate

?

Powerful 500 watt DC brushless motor

?????????????? - lots of low speed torque

?????????????? - no brushes to deal with

?????????????? - quieter

?????????????? - full range of speeds available with the turn of the speed adjustment potentiometer

?????????????? - no need to change gears for HI/LO speeds

?

No HI/LO gears

?????????????? - often made of plastic and users break them requiring replacement

?????????????? - quieter operation without these gears

?

Spindle Thru Hole

?????????????? - 20.5mm (0.807") spindle thru hole

?????????????? - This is 0.5mm (0.020") larger than HI/LO geared spindle lathes

?

True Split nut

?????????????? - has a true split nut for power feed and threading. Some others only have a half nut with a support

?

Collet Drawbar

?????????????? - Comes with a collet drawbar for use with a ER25 collet set (THIS IS NOT FOR A MT3 COLLET).

?????????????? ? This style of collet does not allow for long piece of material to be passed thru them. They have a set depth.

?

Round Head Phillips screws on cross slide and compound handles instead of the cap screws that some other lathes use

?????????????? - users complain of scraped knuckles on lathes with cap screws

?????????????? - Note: these screws are of the phillips variety, not the "Crown Bolt" hex socket variety for use with an allen wrench

?

Cam lock tail stock

?????????????? - Allows you to lock the tail stock down, or loosen it, with a flip of the lever

?????????????? - No searching for a wrench to tighten or loosen the nut

?

True inch scales 0.050" per turn on cross slide and compound

?????????????? - Tail stock quill also has scale in inches

?

Shipped in two boxes

?????????????? - lighter weight boxes prevents shipping damage

?

No Red shipping grease

?????????????? - Some lathes come covered with red shipping grease* all over them requiring lots of clean up

?????????????? - Micro Mark lathes come with oil on them to prevent rust during shipping

????????????????????????????? * Other users are reporting that other dealers are now shipping their lathes with oil instead of red grease

?

Port for optional Tachometer

?????????????? -The headstock has a port for an optional plug in tachometer,

?????????????? ??this tachometer can be used on a mini mill that has the same port

?

Cons:

Price is on the high side for a 7x lathe.

More assembly required.

Takes up more table space.

?

Neutrals:

Same cross slide travel limitations as other SIEG & Real Bull mini lathes have.

?

No safety switched chuck/chip guard. Some users experience problems with this switch going out preventing the lathe from starting.

?

Forward/Neutral/Reverse lever detents need to be drilled deeper or even moved.

This is listed as a neutral since this flaw seems to appear on just about all the mini lathes.

?

?

The Big Dog version comes equipped with a "lever lock" tailstock and spindle speed readout as standard (spindle speed is optional extra on Sieg)

?

The Big Dog RB also comes with a number of features not available on any Sieg equivalent that I am aware of

?

4" 3 jaw universal chuck as standard with no backplate required. Allows full use of the 20mm pass through of the spindle from the box (not possible with the 3" chuck on Siegs)

Saddle lock as standard

Lead screw end float adjuster as standard

Oilers fitted to lead screw, saddle, tailstock as standard

Saddle way wipes fitted as standard

Positive locking of slide dials (via an Allen screw as opposed to Sieg spring restraint

?

< >

< >

< >

?

Whatever machine a buyer ends up with, they need to do their homework carefully and review their requirements against the specs and prices before making any purchases. This group is here to answer any questions and offer personal opinions and experiences. If you have a question please ask it.

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of MZ Rider
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2022 5:35 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

I am thinking of buying a new mini lathe. The prices however seem to be in a ratio of 1 to 3 from lowest to highest. This is after making allowances for what is supplied, which for a basic model, which is all I want is the gears and a 3 jaw chuck plus a few tools. Currently cheapest on Amazon Prime in the UK is around ?400 for a 7x12 no DRO. OK for what I want. Yet similar machines seem to go up to nearer ?1200 from other suppliers.

As far as I can see they look identical. I can deal with the setting up etc.?

My experiences of cheap and cheerful Chinese products with a? few exceptions is that so long as one does not expect too much one will not be disappointed. However a 1:3 price difference for obviously the same product is not usual.

?
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

I run metal gears in place of the 80 tooth gears.? They are noisier but I'm a bit hard of hearing, so I don't mind.
?
ralphie
Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

Well, I'm glad I got my 7x16 because I have needed it several times. It let's me not worry about space most times. As to plastic gears, I hate plastic. Now saying that, I have broken a plastic gear due to my idiocy. If that plastic gear had not broken, things would have turned out seriously badly. So for now, I will keep my plastic gears. I may change my mind but as long as I'm learning and bound to make mistakes, I will stick with plastic.

george

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 07:19:54 PM PDT, Stan Gammons via groups.io <buttercup11421@...> wrote:


Interesting discussion.? I have a 7x10 and it has been able to anything I've wanted to do so far.? I'm still learning and getting better :)

What does the group think of changing the plastic gears out for metal gears?? Not worth it?


Stan


On 3/15/22 21:04, Michael Jablonski wrote:

Sounds about right. The $729.95 that I said mine cost included the $65 extra shipping charge they tacked on. So the lathe was 664.95 without the extra shipping charge on top of the regular shipping charges. By the time I was done it was $1066.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of OldToolmaker via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 5:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

I bought my MicroMark in 2011 on sale for $679.00. I love the BLDC motor. No noisy gears, just a nice quiet purring sound.


Re: Mods, was Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

Interesting discussion.? I have a 7x10 and it has been able to anything I've wanted to do so far.? I'm still learning and getting better :)

What does the group think of changing the plastic gears out for metal gears?? Not worth it?


Stan


On 3/15/22 21:04, Michael Jablonski wrote:

Sounds about right. The $729.95 that I said mine cost included the $65 extra shipping charge they tacked on. So the lathe was 664.95 without the extra shipping charge on top of the regular shipping charges. By the time I was done it was $1066.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of OldToolmaker via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 5:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

I bought my MicroMark in 2011 on sale for $679.00. I love the BLDC motor. No noisy gears, just a nice quiet purring sound.


Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

Sounds about right. The $729.95 that I said mine cost included the $65 extra shipping charge they tacked on. So the lathe was 664.95 without the extra shipping charge on top of the regular shipping charges. By the time I was done it was $1066.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of OldToolmaker via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 5:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

I bought my MicroMark in 2011 on sale for $679.00. I love the BLDC motor. No noisy gears, just a nice quiet purring sound.

Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

I bought my MicroMark in 2011 on sale for $679.00. I love the BLDC motor. No noisy gears, just a nice quiet purring sound.
Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

Hmmmm, are you sure about that year (2006) for a 7x16? I was looking for a mini lathe and I recall Micro-Mark releasing the 7x16 in the spring/summer of 2010. Micro-Mark was the only place that was selling a 7x16.

?

Just looked it up and mini-lathe.com shows the 7x16 as a “New” lathe in 2010.

< >

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian VanDragt
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 2:17 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

My Micro Mark 7x16 was $496 in 2006, but they have been improved since then.

?

Brian

On 03/15/2022 5:05 PM Michael Jablonski <michaeljab@...> wrote:

?

?

Hello Jack,

I never mentioned a $400 machine. Back in 2011 when I purchased my Micro-Mark 7x16 it was on sale for $729.95.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jacques Savard
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1:54 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

?

Is it? this one

?

at 1400.00? it not? the same machine?

the first? you speak about is 400.00

?

jack 47 71

?

?

After reading the replies, I’ve decided to post my list showing the reasons I chose the 7x16 from MicroMark.

?

As I and others have said, the main reasons were Brushless DC Motor (no Hi/Lo gears), and longer bed .

?

With changes over the past 10 years some of the information may be out of date.

?

Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed

?

?

Micro Mark 7x16 lathe

?

Pros:

Longest bed available on a 7x lathe

See some measurement photos of the bed length at

< >

?????????????? - 16 inches between centers (actually more than 16 inches, see photos)

?????????????? - added room when drilling with a tail stock drill chuck

?????????????? - allows you to use longer drill bits

?????????????? - allows you to get the tail stock out of the way when not in use

?????????????? - extra length is good to have if you use a larger 4 or 5 inch chuck which requires an adapter plate

?

Powerful 500 watt DC brushless motor

?????????????? - lots of low speed torque

?????????????? - no brushes to deal with

?????????????? - quieter

?????????????? - full range of speeds available with the turn of the speed adjustment potentiometer

?????????????? - no need to change gears for HI/LO speeds

?

No HI/LO gears

?????????????? - often made of plastic and users break them requiring replacement

?????????????? - quieter operation without these gears

?

Spindle Thru Hole

?????????????? - 20.5mm (0.807") spindle thru hole

?????????????? - This is 0.5mm (0.020") larger than HI/LO geared spindle lathes

?

True Split nut

?????????????? - has a true split nut for power feed and threading. Some others only have a half nut with a support

?

Collet Drawbar

?????????????? - Comes with a collet drawbar for use with a ER25 collet set (THIS IS NOT FOR A MT3 COLLET).

?????????????? ? This style of collet does not allow for long piece of material to be passed thru them. They have a set depth.

?

Round Head Phillips screws on cross slide and compound handles instead of the cap screws that some other lathes use

?????????????? - users complain of scraped knuckles on lathes with cap screws

?????????????? - Note: these screws are of the phillips variety, not the "Crown Bolt" hex socket variety for use with an allen wrench

?

Cam lock tail stock

?????????????? - Allows you to lock the tail stock down, or loosen it, with a flip of the lever

?????????????? - No searching for a wrench to tighten or loosen the nut

?

True inch scales 0.050" per turn on cross slide and compound

?????????????? - Tail stock quill also has scale in inches

?

Shipped in two boxes

?????????????? - lighter weight boxes prevents shipping damage

?

No Red shipping grease

?????????????? - Some lathes come covered with red shipping grease* all over them requiring lots of clean up

?????????????? - Micro Mark lathes come with oil on them to prevent rust during shipping

????????????????????????????? * Other users are reporting that other dealers are now shipping their lathes with oil instead of red grease

?

Port for optional Tachometer

?????????????? -The headstock has a port for an optional plug in tachometer,

?????????????? ??this tachometer can be used on a mini mill that has the same port

?

Cons:

Price is on the high side for a 7x lathe.

More assembly required.

Takes up more table space.

?

Neutrals:

Same cross slide travel limitations as other SIEG & Real Bull mini lathes have.

?

No safety switched chuck/chip guard. Some users experience problems with this switch going out preventing the lathe from starting.

?

Forward/Neutral/Reverse lever detents need to be drilled deeper or even moved.

This is listed as a neutral since this flaw seems to appear on just about all the mini lathes.

?

?

The Big Dog version comes equipped with a "lever lock" tailstock and spindle speed readout as standard (spindle speed is optional extra on Sieg)

?

The Big Dog RB also comes with a number of features not available on any Sieg equivalent that I am aware of

?

4" 3 jaw universal chuck as standard with no backplate required. Allows full use of the 20mm pass through of the spindle from the box (not possible with the 3" chuck on Siegs)

Saddle lock as standard

Lead screw end float adjuster as standard

Oilers fitted to lead screw, saddle, tailstock as standard

Saddle way wipes fitted as standard

Positive locking of slide dials (via an Allen screw as opposed to Sieg spring restraint

?

< >

< >

< >

?

Whatever machine a buyer ends up with, they need to do their homework carefully and review their requirements against the specs and prices before making any purchases. This group is here to answer any questions and offer personal opinions and experiences. If you have a question please ask it.

?

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of MZ Rider
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2022 5:35 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!

?

I am thinking of buying a new mini lathe. The prices however seem to be in a ratio of 1 to 3 from lowest to highest. This is after making allowances for what is supplied, which for a basic model, which is all I want is the gears and a 3 jaw chuck plus a few tools. Currently cheapest on Amazon Prime in the UK is around ?400 for a 7x12 no DRO. OK for what I want. Yet similar machines seem to go up to nearer ?1200 from other suppliers.

As far as I can see they look identical. I can deal with the setting up etc.?

My experiences of cheap and cheerful Chinese products with a? few exceptions is that so long as one does not expect too much one will not be disappointed. However a 1:3 price difference for obviously the same product is not usual.

?
Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

My Micro Mark 7x16 was $496 in 2006, but they have been improved since then.

Brian

On 03/15/2022 5:05 PM Michael Jablonski <michaeljab@...> wrote:


Hello Jack,

I never mentioned a $400 machine. Back in 2011 when I purchased my Micro-Mark 7x16 it was on sale for $729.95.


Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed




From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jacques Savard
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 1:54 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!


?

Is it? this one

?

at 1400.00? it not? the same machine?

the first? you speak about is 400.00

?

jack 47 71

?


After reading the replies, I’ve decided to post my list showing the reasons I chose the 7x16 from MicroMark.


As I and others have said, the main reasons were Brushless DC Motor (no Hi/Lo gears), and longer bed .


With changes over the past 10 years some of the information may be out of date.


Michael - California, USA

Micro-Mark MicroLux 7x16

LMS 3990 Hi-Torque Mill with power feed



Micro Mark 7x16 lathe


Pros:

Longest bed available on a 7x lathe

See some measurement photos of the bed length at

< >

?????????????? - 16 inches between centers (actually more than 16 inches, see photos)

?????????????? - added room when drilling with a tail stock drill chuck

?????????????? - allows you to use longer drill bits

?????????????? - allows you to get the tail stock out of the way when not in use

?????????????? - extra length is good to have if you use a larger 4 or 5 inch chuck which requires an adapter plate


Powerful 500 watt DC brushless motor

?????????????? - lots of low speed torque

?????????????? - no brushes to deal with

?????????????? - quieter

?????????????? - full range of speeds available with the turn of the speed adjustment potentiometer

?????????????? - no need to change gears for HI/LO speeds


No HI/LO gears

?????????????? - often made of plastic and users break them requiring replacement

?????????????? - quieter operation without these gears


Spindle Thru Hole

?????????????? - 20.5mm (0.807") spindle thru hole

?????????????? - This is 0.5mm (0.020") larger than HI/LO geared spindle lathes


True Split nut

?????????????? - has a true split nut for power feed and threading. Some others only have a half nut with a support


Collet Drawbar

?????????????? - Comes with a collet drawbar for use with a ER25 collet set (THIS IS NOT FOR A MT3 COLLET).

?????????????? ? This style of collet does not allow for long piece of material to be passed thru them. They have a set depth.


Round Head Phillips screws on cross slide and compound handles instead of the cap screws that some other lathes use

?????????????? - users complain of scraped knuckles on lathes with cap screws

?????????????? - Note: these screws are of the phillips variety, not the "Crown Bolt" hex socket variety for use with an allen wrench


Cam lock tail stock

?????????????? - Allows you to lock the tail stock down, or loosen it, with a flip of the lever

?????????????? - No searching for a wrench to tighten or loosen the nut


True inch scales 0.050" per turn on cross slide and compound

?????????????? - Tail stock quill also has scale in inches


Shipped in two boxes

?????????????? - lighter weight boxes prevents shipping damage


No Red shipping grease

?????????????? - Some lathes come covered with red shipping grease* all over them requiring lots of clean up

?????????????? - Micro Mark lathes come with oil on them to prevent rust during shipping

????????????????????????????? * Other users are reporting that other dealers are now shipping their lathes with oil instead of red grease


Port for optional Tachometer

?????????????? -The headstock has a port for an optional plug in tachometer,

?????????????? ??this tachometer can be used on a mini mill that has the same port


Cons:

Price is on the high side for a 7x lathe.

More assembly required.

Takes up more table space.


Neutrals:

Same cross slide travel limitations as other SIEG & Real Bull mini lathes have.


No safety switched chuck/chip guard. Some users experience problems with this switch going out preventing the lathe from starting.


Forward/Neutral/Reverse lever detents need to be drilled deeper or even moved.

This is listed as a neutral since this flaw seems to appear on just about all the mini lathes.



The Big Dog version comes equipped with a "lever lock" tailstock and spindle speed readout as standard (spindle speed is optional extra on Sieg)


The Big Dog RB also comes with a number of features not available on any Sieg equivalent that I am aware of


4" 3 jaw universal chuck as standard with no backplate required. Allows full use of the 20mm pass through of the spindle from the box (not possible with the 3" chuck on Siegs)

Saddle lock as standard

Lead screw end float adjuster as standard

Oilers fitted to lead screw, saddle, tailstock as standard

Saddle way wipes fitted as standard

Positive locking of slide dials (via an Allen screw as opposed to Sieg spring restraint


< >

< >

< >


Whatever machine a buyer ends up with, they need to do their homework carefully and review their requirements against the specs and prices before making any purchases. This group is here to answer any questions and offer personal opinions and experiences. If you have a question please ask it.




From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of MZ Rider
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2022 5:35 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [7x12MiniLathe] Different Prices - such a range!


I am thinking of buying a new mini lathe. The prices however seem to be in a ratio of 1 to 3 from lowest to highest. This is after making allowances for what is supplied, which for a basic model, which is all I want is the gears and a 3 jaw chuck plus a few tools. Currently cheapest on Amazon Prime in the UK is around ?400 for a 7x12 no DRO. OK for what I want. Yet similar machines seem to go up to nearer ?1200 from other suppliers.

As far as I can see they look identical. I can deal with the setting up etc.?

My experiences of cheap and cheerful Chinese products with a? few exceptions is that so long as one does not expect too much one will not be disappointed. However a 1:3 price difference for obviously the same product is not usual.
Re: Different Prices - such a range!

 

开云体育

I've gone the other direction. I got the Harbor Freight 7x10 because it was small enough to fit in my workspace and sufficed to do what I have needed it to do (so far!) Being able to pick it up and move it to store on the end of the bench has made a difference for me. It was also available locally in stock when I had a 20% off coupon ?that miraculously covered the lathe. :-)?

I’ll look into upgrading it when the blessed day comes that I can have an actual workshop not a slice of the garage.?

--?
Bruce Johnson

"Wherever you go, there you are." B. Banzai, PhD

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