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Metal working lathe

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joegrizzy

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i'm really glad to read that actually lol because that's kinda what i've always thought.

with hard woods, you're going to be resharpening anyway. it's just less times. i don't turn that often, so i'll save my money.
 

dennishoddy

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As a side note, there are woodworking tools out now that are using carbide inserts just like the metal working lathes and they aren't expensive to buy. The inserts can be a tad pricey, but they last forever sharp wise. They can be resharpened with a special green stone on a grinder after tons of use.
The carbide insert technology has been around for fifty years or much longer but it's just working its way into wood working tools.
 

Snattlerake

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yep, as a woodworker, i got almost all of my REAL tools from estate/garage sales. my current wood lathe is indeed my greenie shopsmith, but it turns what i need it to. and it's also about five other tools when i need it to be.

there's not really "entry level" stuff like the chinesium products you mentioned. for anything anymore.
I had a Shopsmith once. I could not get the precision I needed out of it and sold it to my neighbor.
He loved it. I hated it.
 

joegrizzy

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the way i get precision is cut proud, hand fit.

any tool basically works for me at that point, if it gets the job done efficiently.

and yeah, i only use for it a few of the many functions because something tells me i wouldn't want to use the table saw or bandsaw versus a modern one. but that chuck spinning runs true and the lathe shaft too.
 

Profreedomokie

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I don't think you can get a decent lathe new for less than about $2500. Then add about half as much or more for tooling. Precision Matthews and Grizzly have pretty good machines for the money. Most of the smaller lathes won't have a spindle bore over one inch and most won't have a powered cross feed. Almost all of them are made in China or Taiwan. A lathe is like buying an air compressor or shop, get one bigger than you think you need so you won't regret it later. Shop around and find a deal where most of the big-ticket accessories are included like extra chucks or quick-change tool post and tool holders. If you order a new one be prepared to wait on it. If you really shop around, you can find a good used one with tooling at a good price. I've got a 11x 30 and recently had a project where I could use a little longer bed.
 

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