want to buy, medium size shop lathe

[Dragsinger]

Let me hear from those have bought a shop lathe. Tell me what you build with it, what size is it, what would you do differently? Do you utilize it often?

[SSGT Mustang]

I can't imagine not having a lathe and a milling machine. You can get a south bend and bridgeport for less than you would expect but you get what you pay for.

Don't waste your money on a machine that needs to be rebuilt. Hardened ways are a good idea. Take several dial indicators and a straight piece of steel that's a least a foot long and check the run out from headstock to tailstock. You can buy ground and straight screw steel from mcmaster carr.

Check the cross slide ways for run out and just look at the overall condition of the ways. You should be able to move the cross slide and saddle in and out with no change in tension on the dials. If there's tension there's wear.

Spend the money on a good lathe in good condition. Southbend or hardinge would be my recommendation. If you can get it with tooling all the better.

Good luck and have fun. There are a million things that you can make with a lathe.

Check this guy out on youtube. He used to have a bunch of videos about lathe and mill operation that are excellent. He may be selling them now. If that is the case you may want to buy them.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKL...jAnn8E76KP7sQg

[Matt S]

Larry, I have been very happy with my Clausing 14x48 manual lathe from the 1970's. Once you get it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. I NEVER thought I'd use it as much as I do, and I'm just a hobbyist. I think it's a good size for most things automotive. As was said, I would look for something with included tooling, because that adds up REALLY fast. I would shy away from anything that was used in a production facility, as the wear and lack of maintenance on them is usually pretty severe relative to something that comes out of a school or a guy's home shop. Given the choice, I would (and did) select machinery that is 30-40+ years old vs. a new Chinese machine.

[SSGT Mustang]

Originally Posted by Matt S

Larry, I have been very happy with my Clausing 14x48 manual lathe from the 1970's. Once you get it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. I NEVER thought I'd use it as much as I do, and I'm just a hobbyist. I think it's a good size for most things automotive. As was said, I would look for something with included tooling, because that adds up REALLY fast. I would shy away from anything that was used in a production facility, as the wear and lack of maintenance on them is usually pretty severe relative to something that comes out of a school or a guy's home shop. Given the choice, I would (and did) select machinery that is 30-40+ years old vs. a new Chinese machine.

Couldn't agree more with your post, great advice. That Clausing is a really nice machine. I've always wanted one.