Is This Lathe Worth It?

[Out Of Air]

Looking at getting a small bench top lathe for small projects. I make guitars, and have always wanted to play with making different bolts for my marker. Think this one would be a good enough fit for that?

7x12" 400W Precision Mini Metal Lathe Variable Speed 2250RPM | VEVOR CA

[BrickHaus]

Im in the same boat. Been eyeballing these small lathes for a week or so. I cant give any real world opinions, but I too am curious.

These vevors are rated all over the place depending on where you look.

I was also eyeballing the central machinery branded mini lathes that harbor freight carries.

At the end of the day, from my studying. Im going one of 2 ways ( unless told otherwise by these fine folk).


1. Buy a grizzly 7x 12" lathe for $900. Its a bit more expensive, but I know it'll be a decent unit with hardened ways and the option to adjust the lash in the bearings.

2. Ive been eyeballing the shop fox 10x 23" model for like 3k... way different price ppint, but I figure the 12" ones will work for turning bolts and such, but qs soon as I finish my first job itll be too small. But those have mixed reviews as well.

[Out Of Air]

That Grizzly, is that USD price?

[evilfishsticks]

keep an eye on your local Craigslist, I picked up a brand new in box mini lathe for 200 bucks a few months ago. I missed out on a few before I found that one.

[ford]

Is this video helpful?

https://youtu.be/05vUCdzhoe4

[Out Of Air]

Oh man! I love this guy lol

[William the Third]

I've got a similar Chinese 8"x16" That I picked up about two years ago. Pretty much, I'll mirror what the above video states (I'd actually watched that video before I bought mine), which basically is any lathe is better than no lathe, and these aren't too bad as long as you understand the limitations/manage your expectations. I've actually used mine more than I expected, and anyone who has one of my Umarex TR/HDR50 velocity adjusters, it was at one point turned on my lathe (to fix a minor design decision).