Import Lathe Buying Guide
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- This episode on Blondihacks.com, I help you pick out that Asian import lathe you've always wanted! Exclusive videos, drawings, models & plans available on Patreon!
/ quinndunki
Here are links for many of the tools that you see me using:
(I earn small commissions on these links)
• Chamfering Tool : amzn.to/2IJsAUs
• Deburring Tool : amzn.to/2ItUtRb
• Anchor Lube : amzn.to/2H9X6oQ
• Boeshield T-9 : amzn.to/2TCE0wB
• Knurling Tool : amzn.to/2FblXb1
• Tapered Reamer : amzn.to/2Gn0b3G
• Nicholson files : amzn.to/2VcHkls
• Nicholson needle files : amzn.to/2GZWcMl
• Machinist’s scale : amzn.to/2Zk6oVj
• Mixed metric/imperial dial caliper : amzn.to/2KKARYY
• Mitutoyo dial caliper : amzn.to/2IMIxJE
• Mitutoyo micrometer set : amzn.to/2GtICPx
• Mitutoyo depth micrometer : amzn.to/33M8aSH
• Mitutoyo edge finder : amzn.to/2G36omq
• Mitutoyo dial indicator : amzn.to/2H09gBr
• Mitutoyo dial test indicator : amzn.to/2E5lRQw
• Mitutoyo snap gauge set : amzn.to/2Z6houn
• Fowler dial bore gauge : amzn.to/2KQJNf2
• Fowler inside micrometer : amzn.to/2TVm7Jo
• Starrett automatic center punch : amzn.to/2DCI7C9
• Brownell’s Oxpho Blue : amzn.to/2YhZTmR
• JAX Metal Blackener : amzn.to/2MVe8wj
• 1-2-3 Blocks : amzn.to/2EvAsGq
• Dormer center drills : amzn.to/2X7U6ij
• 6” Divider : amzn.to/2GTncM3
• NOGA arm with magnetic base : amzn.to/2U2bGTI
• Collet Block set : amzn.to/2UkF1vZ
• DeWalt drill and driver kit : amzn.to/2U2bGTI
• DeWalt portable band saw : amzn.to/2U4Mhsw
• DeWalt band saw blades : amzn.to/2H2J4X0
• Dykem Layout fluid : amzn.to/2U7KQts
• High Speed Steel parting blade : amzn.to/2YcdYBv
• High Speed Steel blade holder : amzn.to/2JgO0IK
• High Speed Steel tool blanks : amzn.to/2H1qoqr
• Grizzly Pre-ground tool bits : amzn.to/2H4yr5z
• AXA tool holders : amzn.to/2V1gOHl
• Quick Change Toolpost : amzn.to/2Ea8EWR
• Norton oil stone kit : amzn.to/2EbLEH3
• Norton small sharpening stone: amzn.to/2PQwex9
• Tap Magic cutting oil : amzn.to/2U68wOJ
• WD-40 w/ smart straw : amzn.to/2GYV8rY
• End mills : amzn.to/2U76Vsf
• Milling machine starter pack : amzn.to/2tA2M4e
• Super 77 Spray Glue : amzn.to/2YScxZl
• Metal Lathe For Home Machinists: amzn.to/2LRouNb
• Loctite 603 : amzn.to/2EYsPbi
• Forceps : amzn.to/2Ww5dFT
• Mill Parallels : amzn.to/2lfW82i
• GearWrench ratcheting tap & die set : amzn.to/2lMwZfV
• Evaporust : amzn.to/36NSkII
Want more content like this? Try these places:
Blondihacks on Instagram : / blondihacks
Blondihacks on Twitter : / quinndunki
Blondihacks on Patreon : / quinndunki
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
![[Live สด] การออกรางวัลสลากกินแบ่งรัฐบาล งวดวันที่ 1 มิถุนายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3canzHC_d0k/mqdefault.jpg)
As an engineering technician with 40 years experience in manufacturing, 23 of them also machining prototypes, tooling, fixtures, etc. I have to say this is one of the best presentations I have ever seen on lathes. Thank you..
If you are a real hobbyist, the rule is: check what your budget is, spend twice as much on the basic machine, then spend twice as much again on accessories and material.
😂🤣 True.
Yep buy the biggest you can afford. With that comes more horsepower and more machine weight for rigidity.
What I would say is that it doesn’t matter as much what the price of the machine is because be prepared to spend several times that on tooling. Don’t budget for the machine. Budget for THE TOOLS! Every machinists, hobbyists or professional, has learned this lesson the hard way.
@@ilikeoranges4 Yeah but you can add tools forever. You only generally buy the lathe once. It's a lot harder to find out that you really need a bigger/better lathe and address that than it is to buy another couple of endmills.
I virtually did this. I was hoping for around $1200 but ended up spending $2488 delivered. Luckily it is coming with a mix of tooling but I will have to get the wallet out again if the tooling isn't up to scratch.
I said it already, but here it is again: you are a natural born educator
Blondi is exactly who American children need in these tough times. Some of us have to settle on cloned Asian lathes. It’s just a real shame we can’t get a few 100,000 clones of Blondi. Then our children could build and sell high quality inexpensive lathes right here in America. 40+ yrs experience with equipment and my learning experience with Blondi was “AWSOME”. Never have been much of a gusher so I apologize for it.
I am a machinist, researching machines for a hobby shop. I like to think I know what I'm doing, but you pointed out things that I honestly had not thought about. I am amazed with your knowledge, and skills. I am very glad I found your channel!
I'm retired and watch a lot of educational videos and this is a Great video. No Bla Bla Bla. Blondi gets to the point with lots of good information. Good job Blondi!
Anybody who can talk that fast and remain both organized and comprehensible. . .
I had not run a machine lathe since a college class 45 years ago but wanted to acquire one to have fun with as my retirement approached. I spent 8 months trying to understand the features and pros and cons of everything from new import mini lathes to 80 year old American iron. Older small American made lathes (South Bend, Atlas, Logan) in the under $2000 price range were hard to find (at least here in Texas), were often times located 300 miles from my home, and if in decent condition and priced fairly, they usually sold within 24 hours. In addition, often times the footprint was quite large depending on the motor/belt setup, and you always run the risk that the lathe you just bought and hauled home is essentially worn out. I wish I had seen your video when I was researching before I bought my lathe, but I guess the fact that I ultimately bought a Precision Matthews 1022 like you own proves once again that “God takes care of little kids and idiots”(me). Your videos are very well done and are a great contribution to the community. Thank you
BH you are a naturally brilliant teacher, with lovely clear and enlightening explanations. Thank you.
I ordered my Proxxon PD 400 lathe today & will be delivered in Calgary on March 30th 2021 from Hobbyland Italy. I tried to copy this guy so i can put my own video with my new lathe but i could not even make 5% of this guy.
I bought a Precision Mathews PM-1236 and have been extremely happy with it. I went that large to get the features you just described (D1-4 cam lock spindle, separate power feed shaft, nice headstock gearbox, etc). I also upgraded to a quick change tool post and DRO. I didn't go for a model with a coolant pump and instead set up a Noga coolant mister using an empty Jack Daniels bottle as a coolant reservoir. I couldn't find an empty Jack Daniels bottle so I had to construct one from a full Jack Daniels bottle.
Looks nice! But you have to do some serious work for that budget. My wife would move back to her parents if I spend such an amount of our savings on my hobby...
Jochem Bonarius : Don't buy Tennessee Swill Water. You can save a lot of money buy buying good Kentucky Bourbon. I recommend "Kentucky gentleman" or" Kentucky Inn."
It's crappy but if you breathe enough of the fumes you won't care.
I recently gained access to a small machine shop, but one where it's all 'self taught ' engineers using the tools for quick rework and jigs. I was looking for some good resources to get the basics of machining into my head, and your videos have been excellent. Clear and concise, yet detailed where it matters.
I’ve watched a TON of videos like this, and you, Madam, know a lot more than most. Very good, very informative vid. Keep it up!
Damn! this was the best video I have ever seen on lathes.. I have always wanted one but never got around to gettin it.. now at 67 years of age I am about to jump in and play and need all the GOOD information I can find.. This was superlative! I have to go and watch more of your videos.. I am glad I stumbled onto your site.. not only are you very knowledgeable but are very good at teaching.. thanks very much.... carry on, be safe and have fun doing it..
Thank you very much for the kind words! Glad I could help!
I love my 3rd-hand 80's era anonymous Asian made (probably Taiwan) benchtop lathe. Small, but overbuilt and well powered.
Cant find anything these days, or shall I say days of COVID.
I missed stuff from the 80s.. It's more often than not will be an overbuilt..
Nothing beats a 3rd-hand 80's anonymous Asian made 1.5hp benchtop lathe with a flattened aluminum pan underneath!
I just stumbled across your channel. I am autistic high function and have a shop full of nice old machines, but lately the world events have scared me into the house and I haven't been in the shop for a couple months. Today that changed with this video, it motivated me to get out to the shop. thank you!
That’s great! Glad I could help in these difficult times.
Wow! What a lucid, well thought out and presented exposition on a complicated and nuanced topic. Your expertise is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
The First Rule of Asian Club: Don't talk about Asian Club.... The Second Rule of Asian Club: You Subscribe to this Channel! Great job Blondihacks!
Blondihacks, you are fantastic ! I really appreciate the discussion regarding metric versus imperial. The British still use imperial, so not just the US Americans. Ditto your brilliant discussion regarding AC versus DC motor, lead screw, etc. I learnt a lot in just half an hour. A big thumbs up and thank you from a Brit/Ozzie expat. in Japan (all metric).
Ok, never heard so much useful information on Asian lathes or just lathe in general. Had no choice but to SUB! Thanks!
Thanks for the sub! 😁
Same here, plus the Tony references!
Only just found this lady who is way ahead of most. She's a joy to listen to, clearly understands what she's talking about and addresses the really important issues.
Yep, it's really amazing how that works - no sarcasm.
Same here i jist found this channel and immediately subbed
Took me a long, long time of self educating myself on the lathe features I wanted and how much I could realistically spend. I really, really wanted a Precision Matthews brand, for many of the reasons mentioned in the video. But there's a bit of a premium price they are tacking on, because they are shouldering the cost of import and specing the machines to their standards etc. So, I opted to buy my lathe directly from a high quality factory in China and import it myself. I got to pick the features and added accessories and was less than HALF the price, even with freight costs!! What I was looking for size wise, was larger than a 10x22 machine, but not quite the footprint of a 12x36. So I ended up going with the exact same lathe as the PM-1228VF-LB (but I only paid $1920 with all the bells and whistles, and a bunch of upgrade accessories)
HOWEVER... what they don't tell you is how much more you will spend at the port for taxes, fees, duties, transportation from the dock to a temporary storage facility, all before it gets on a truck to your door. When it was all said and done, I literally spent MORE on those costs than the actual lathe machine itself. If I were bringing over a container full of them, those costs would have still been about the same as they are for just one. Keep in mind, my lathe rode across the ocean in one container by itself. So, realistically I should have filled it up and sold them on eBay or whatever. (Which is what a lot of those machines you find for cheap are... but they aren't spec'd the way you want them exactly)
So lesson learned, I should have just saved up longer and bought from an established importer like a Precision Matthews in the first place.
Yeah, and because you didn't buy from PM, you don't have an American company you can email or call and get support of a replacement part or whatever. A close friend bought a PM lathe and mill last year and is very happy with both the purchase and the service after the sale. He's not an easy guy to please, but he sings high praises for Matthew and his crew. When I buy, I'll spend the xtra money and buy Precision Matthews.
By the way, I had a PM-1228VF-LB.
Keep in mind unlike the lathe shown in this video the PM1228 does NOT allow you to reverse feed direction on the gearbox! You must loosen a gear on the back where the gears are, then engage them to the opposite side in order to change feed direction. It's a bit of a pain...
Now I have a Victor lathe, you can switch feed direction on the gearbox but you must turn the spindle off before doing this, or you will grind the gears.
I know this is an old comment, so my apologies for only now commenting but I really need to ask: Could you point me to the factory you got your lathe from? I'll keep the part about additional costs in mind. I'm in Europe so Precision Matthews will likely mean additional costs as well
Your Getting Started & Import Lathe Buying Guide videos immediately answered my questions regarding investment considerations for a beginner. Thank you very much. I guess if you want to work on hard steel (like automotive parts), you need to plan on spending quite a lot and be prepared for the space and machine weight. Makes you really think long and hard about what kind of projects you want to get involved with on a part time basis - hobby? I'm not sure. What got me researching this, is a desire to restore the Differential Axel Carrier from a 58 Chevy Apache Pickup where I threw the bearings. Needs metal build up, then lathed for the bearings. Local machine shops think welding the build up before lathing would cause heat problems. Instead, I'm going to try some super metal epoxy paste to build up the bearing worn spots on the Carrier, then pursue a lathe. Not ready to buy one yet, so I'll hope I get lucky with local machine shops after I apply the Loctite Super Metal epoxy paste. Keep up your great videos. I have subscribed and enjoy watching them. Incidentally, I think I have an O'scope just like yours. Best regards.
I came to this channel to learn how to use my mill and now I have a goddamn lathe in my living room!?!? Amazing! :D Definitely earned a sub...
Thanks for the sub! 😀
Between you, AvE, and Bigclive I actually understood all of this.
I was a celulose necromancer when I could work. (furniture maker)
The factory I was in was ground zero for the Metric vs Imperial war. Everything we did was in both from the blueprints in metric to the hardware in Imperial. Nothing was standardized.
A well done discussion of the lathe. When I bough my lathe I went bigger because I didn't want to get all the things for a small lathe only to discover it wouldn't do what I wanted and then have to buy all the stuff for the new larger lathe. Ease of use is important to me. That means I would get these luxury items: QCTP, DRO, gear box, drill chuck, live centers, 5C collet chuck & collet sets, boring bars, the list can go on for ever. Then you find the next got-a-have, a mill!
One thing about inexpensive lathes is that you can expect the machine itself to become a hobby as you spend time putting in the fine handwork needed to make it pleasant to live with. For a hobbyist, it can be a satisfying journey. I learned how to scrape ways on my Grizzly 7 x 14, made better cross slide and compound knobs, made quick clamp for the tail stock, added clamps for the ways. In the end it was much more rigid and smooth, but it was still a cheap 7 x 14...
Excellent video, topics well explained. It is one thing to know your stuff but quite another to be able to explain it so well.
On the metric/imperial question:
I started my machine shop apprenticeship in the UK in 1975. (Rail engineering - my lathe had a 4ft swing and 15ft between centres.) Jobs were 50:50 metric and imperial so the apprentice school put us on imperial machines with metric drawings and metric machines with imperial drawings. The mental arithmetic involved is not hard. Just use a metric micrometer on metric drawings and an imperial micrometer for imperial drawings.
The big difference came for us with screw-cutting. All our lathes had a screw-cutting dial showing where to engage the half nuts on the leadscrew at the start of each cut. We found that changing the gear train for a metric pitch using an imperial leadscrew meant the nut engagement dial no longer worked. We had to leave the nuts engaged permanently and reverse the chuck between cuts to get back to the start position. This makes the job more of a chore and practically doubles the time taken. I once had to cut a 1.25" OD x 5" long four start square thread nut on a metric machine this way and it took over a week.
Took machine shop in High school then apprenticeship in a large manufacturing company in early 80s. Then worked for GE. I worked in the gear plant in Lynn MASS. Every machine was huge. Horz boring mills used steel t floor for table and y was over 15ft. VTL machined 20ft and bigger bullgears. Politicians let manufacturing leave our country and what stayed became CNC. Always loved milling and lathe work and will get them soon
Never mind the lathe advice, I am going to recommend folks look at this video for motor application. Excellent.
I like Chinese lathes and mills. They have made me an expert in quality control. I've learned to re-manufacturer out of spec parts, re-align gear trains, replace bearings not seated properly, scrape dove tails, ect. I now fully understand the meaning of the word rigidity, something these machines don't offer new.
I used a lathe a couple of times when in school at age 14 but not since, now, 60 years later I've just bought a brand new lathe. I'm very pleased to have found your channel, thanks for taking the trouble to post all of this. Very helpful.
After a lifetime of using imperial measures, I found myself in a shop primarily serving to automotive customers. Our engineers typicly convert metric to imperial, the prints at my machines were imperial to run on a metric machine. So, either cry and complain or get the calculator out and convert. The other day, a young new guy asked me what tools he should be buying, rangewise. My smaller allen arenches are not marked, so I guickly grabbed a mic, measured the small one, grabbed the calculator and started to convert when the newbie told me "Just push the button on the mic!" So newbie taught the old timer! Of course the old timer felt better telling him the 1.48 measurement is actually a 1.5 MM wrench, so I still look like a useful tool.
And yet it never dawned on you there was more than ONE button staring you in the face, clearly marked as to their function...lmao, sounds like a "story" to me, just saying.
Then his battery fails and you have to show him how to use a real mic.
@@phillhuddleston9445 *** Really old.
Both old and modern are real...
@@mattsadventureswithart5764 Most micrometers made today are not digital ones. The vast majority of machinists today still use a standard micrometer and even dial calipers over digital ones. If you know how to use a mic and calipers correctly there is no advantage to digital ones that can easily malfunction and require batteries unlike conventional non-digital measuring tools. The only advantage digital calipers have over dial calipers is that dial ones can skip a tooth if a chip gets in the rack and pinion but this is easily correctable and usually avoidable. When digital ones fail you throw them away if it isn't battery related.
@@phillhuddleston9445 the standard micrometer is not the modern one, no matter how common its usage. Hence my use of the words "old" and "modern".
I can use either modern or old and both mine are definitely old.
First time have watched blondi very well spoken and intelligent thank you
Well explained Quinn. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in a very entertaining and interesting manner.
I prefer to do all my work in "nano light seconds', which conveniently enough is almost exactly a foot in the old money, or of course we could define a light second as one giga-foot.
Bah! For *TRUE* precision one must use the Planck Scale!
And the metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it!
@@ianmoone2359 - You say that "The speed of light is infinite" yet if you take a test required by the Funny Candy Company (FCC) they expect you to know that the speed of light is three hundred million meters per second. Furthermore, the wavelength of a radio signal (in meters) is equal to the speed of light divided by the frequency of the radio signal. (Lamda = 300 x 10 to the 6th divided by frequency in megahertz.)
An example of "close, but no cigar" is the two meter ham band. Since 300 / 2 = 150, but the 2 meter band is actually between 144 and 148 MHz, they made their point. Notice I relocated two of the variables, but within the rules of mathematics.
Hard to put into words how grateful I am for your content
Wonderful explanation of imported lathes! Wish I had found your channel and this video before I bought my Grizzly G0602 secondhand. Still happy with my purchase but now I'm so much more educated about the basics. Thank you.
A proper traditionalist would simply chose to base there measurements in full & fractional cubits over the flash in the pan imperial / metric fad that's sure to fade away any day now. :-)
A very well done video covering most of the basics that I wish had been available about 40 yrs ago when I started with a home shop.
One nice thing about a good DRO is that other than threading, metric or imperial is just a matter of pushing a button on the display.
10 years ago when I bought my new lathe, American lathes were almost impossible to find here in Oregon and were really expensive, so I ended up with a Grizzly 4003G, 12x36 with Japanese spindle bearings, D1-5 camlock chuck, lots of good features and it's done a great job for me, and I paid a little over $2500 for it brand new. Today, the same lathe is more than $4500, and oddly enough the American machines have come down in price and become much more available. I'd probably make a different decision today if I found the right lathe, but I've been very happy with the G4003.
I did have a little 8x14 for a while, the lack of a quick change gearbox quickly drove me crazy, and I had to sell it and buy the 12x36 as soon as I could. Don't underestimate the pain in the butt factor of having to swap gears for thread cutting, if at all possible get a lathe with a gearbox, and do put a cheap DRO on it. A DRO isn't necessary but it does make a lot of jobs much easier.
Thanks, Don. Good information. I am just getting into machining and am watching a lot of videos before buying. Blondi has been the best teacher so far.
Also, good tip on the DRO. Are they easy to add?
I think people started realizing you can do alot with a new import with a little tweak while the SB is mostlikely worn out and missing hard to find parts. I have both . Thanks BH for a nice primer on import lathe.
First thing I did was throw a DRO on my small mill. It's a lifesaver.
thank you, thank you. I can't say enough good things about your clear, concise, explicit VDOs. Two thumbs up and my hats off to you. Keep producing quality VDO.
Your tutorials are exceptional. I really appreciate that you are clear and concise, something one does not find in many TH-cam videos. Thanks so much for your knowledgeable and professional approach.
This was amazing. I'm currently in the middle of this exact cost-benefit analysis decision. You answered several questions I didn't know I had! Thank you!
I have to say this is a quality video. Your knowledge of the subject matter and your communication skills are top shelf. Thanks.
Thanks so much for this break-down. It really helps simplify things for those of us wanting to level up with a lathe in our workshop!
Thank you Quinn for all the time and wisdom you've put into this 😀
Thank you! I needed to watch this, as I'm preparing to buy my first lathe. In fact, I will be watching this a few more times. There's a lot to consider.
What an excellent review on what to actually look and think about when buying a smaller lathe! Thank you so much for producing such a quality video. After 2 days of watching what others called "review/purchase" videos this was refreshing to say the least! Subscribed!
bought my second lathe a couple weeks ago. One of my customers stripped out the high-speed gear in his King Canada 7x12, so he decided to upgrade to the 10x22. I bought the 7x12 from him for $100, including a bunch of basic tooling. Works very nicely in low range, especially on brass, and is much more accurate and stable for drilling than my Taig. So far, I'm pretty happy with it. Only marginally faster machining of 304SS than my Taig, so ringmaking is still going to be primarily done on the little guy. I sent you a pic of my first brass pen that I made, and I'll send you another with my latest one done primarily on the King.
Great Video. I am glad I found your channel. Subscribed! You make some really good points about size, metric, brushless motors, etc. Your explanations are the easiest to follow. Nicely done!
Thank you!
Looking to buy a lathe for the first time, so far you have been the most informative about imported lathes. Keep up the good work, thanks for all the tips.
I have a number of suggestions or comments on this matter. Some of which I will list in the modifying machine video GoldeiHacks has
1) Spindle Bore. Bigger is better. To a Point. Obviously a 2"/51mm bore in the spindle is a little ridiculous in a 10" lathe. It could be done but there are compromises that would need to be made.
2) Lathe Size. Bigger is Better. Again to a point. Where is the lathe going? What type of work do you plan on doing? If the lathe is going in a basement shop how hard will it be to move? Will you need to break it down into smaller pieces? How many strong backs may be needed? Type of work. If your interest is minature steam or IC engines. 10" is plenty big. If you intend on doing side jobs repairing stuff for various people. I personally would not want a bench type machine.
And as mentioned in the video, customer support varies. Also machines seem to come and go in terms the type available.
Thank you Quinn for this informative video. It answered my question regarding the half nut/threading dial.
Quinn, as I started machining in the past year, I have watched about every video I could find on what to look for in a lathe. This is easily the most comprehensive and easy to understand summary so far, and I learned a few things myself - like the different uses of lead screws in powering the carriage. It would be so useful if even one supplier or event had the whole spectrum lined up with all the important suppliers, so in person or via a video like this the newbie could actually see what the trade-offs are. The one thing you didn't touch on is that most of the North American importer/integrators of Chinese lathes have their own histories and biases - which unless you are fairly experienced, are difficult to decode. It is a thorny field to shop in!
Very good technical explanation of pros/cons, features, and failings. Well done!
If you’re diligent and look on Craigslist, marketplace, and local auctions you can find nice American ,British , and import lathes that are much larger and more capable. I found a clausing colchester 13x40 in excellent for $2500 after looking and being patient for about 6 months. I looked at 6 lathes that were too worn out or not priced right before I found this one. Always be willing to walk away from a machine that shows obvious signs of wear or abuse.
Amen, Matt! If you doubt anything at all, about a machine tool you're looking to buy, walk away. When the seller starts throwing a lower price at you, walk faster.
Agree, although space, weight, power, etc can be a factor. We bought a PM-1127VF-LB a few years ago for our model shop at work. Would have loved to get something like a HLV-H, but we’re on the 4th floor of an office building.
Don't forget to haggle, cut the price in half then go up from here.
If you buy a seccond hand one I'd almost suggest getting one that is tatty, fresh pain hides some real issues if bought seccond hand sold as seen. Also make sure you see it running. My first purchase was scrap nicely painted, my current one was tatty as can be but actually mechanically sound.
Andrew Culverhouse exactly. Mine is still factory paint and not much of it but you can see the imperfections. A fresh coat of paint hides a ton of problems and you never know if the guy who took it apart put everything back together properly
Hi Quinn, excellent, clear and informative guide, perfect for the new hobby lathe user, second hand are a good alternative to learn on and improve your requirements for a machine tool.
Thanks for sharing.
Nice video. I couldn’t agree more about the variations in import machines.
I purchased a PM1340GT about five years ago from Matt and it is such a joy to use because of the quality.
Mike
Absolutely great video, I have not seen a more concise, clear, and professionally presented narration, by an obvious expert. I decided to subscribe almost immediately after starting to view it. Thanks for your expertise!
Just seen this and it’s the best review of a import I have ever seen on TH-cam. Thinks for the effort you put into this video!!
Very good explanation. I am nowhere near to machining by myself, but i liked to listen to you.
Smart and articulate. I know almost nothing about machining, but thinking about the hobby for myself and friends. EXTREMELY helpful. Thank you!!!
Nice summary of imports, and usage context. Well done.
Thank you for this video. Going through small, but important, topics and parts was extremely usefully and informative. You've got yourself a new subscriber.
Wow! I have been looking for info just like this! I am in the market for a lathe....hopefully in the new year. I have been agonizing over how much to spend and what to look for. Thank you, this info is awesome!
I just found your channel. You due a fantastic job. I have just purchased a small lath and mill. I have started watching your channel and I learned more in 3 hours than I have after being around machine shops for decades. That is to say I paid others to make the parts. Thank you.
If I wasn't already married, your explanation of imperial vs metric would have made me propose! What a great video!
This is the best video on TH-cam about lathe buying guide, you covered all important things that every beginer need to know, I am one of them. Thank you so much, keep up the good work.
I've been watching your videos for some time, with high interest. I've now come to the point that I really need to buy a lathe (I drew some parts that I was hoping to get CNC made, but that turned out to be too expensive), and found this video extremely useful, thank you!
Very nice job my friend. I was fortunate enough to find an old Sheldon lathe that was tracked back to a navy ship. Very substantial castings but the restoration of these beautiful machines is no easy task.... But very do-able. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge... It is greatly appreciated.
I watch this video periodically even though I got my lathe a year ago. It’s really helpful and I get something new out of it each time
I bypassed all those problem when I purchased a Logan 10X24 lathe many years ago. Parts are hard to get but then it's not likely you will ever need them. This lathe screams quality. I actually spoke to the older Charles Logan many years ago at the factory where he was still working until his death, and he described this lathe as "his little jewel". Thirty years of hard use and it only works better over time....
Very well outlined video.
Yes you get what you pay for and that applies to everything and even more important do your homework.
QUINN, you supply a great amount of well thought out content, i found it very valuable and I already have a very good
Asian lathe 12 x 36. Well done
A machinist that knows DC motor fundamentals!
That is very refreshing!
Great explanation of solid state DC speed control. Simple and clear.
Thank you, wonderfully concise insights into choosing a small lathe. Brilliant use of language to share knowledge, very rare in these parts.
Really cool video, thanks for sharing. I've been checking out the mini lathes recently, and this is giving me some pause to look around a bit more. I might end up with one still just to play around, but at least I know what I'm getting into.
I learn a lot from you, I like you dude, am a totally noob and just purchased a warco super mini lathe and am just soaking up everything I can. Your very informative through a broad scope of topics, so keep up the good work and I’ll continue to watch your content. Planning on making small things to begin with but got it in my head to make model engines, we’ll see how that goes, rather excited to get started. After spending £1500 on everything I can say am set with the basics and choking to get started, but there so much to machining, it gets the old nogging sparking lol. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for a very articulate and thorough episode on import lathe buying! I went through this exercise years ago and recognize the quality differences...you get what you pay for is very correct. I've had Southbend; Atlas; Craftsman and assorted Chinese machines and wherever you are in life can dictate how much you can spend on a given machine for personal use. Very impressed with your attention to detail! By day, I am a millwright and after hours, an avid motorcycle restorer(?) and hobbyist. Keep up the great videos:))
I have just discovered this channel and I'm glad I did. Some youtubers just know what they are talking about, and some just pretend to know. You very clearly do know and I will be back to feast on more of your knowledge :) (having subscribed, of course!)
Thanks for a great explanation of the compromises found on the smallish import lathes. I hadn't realized that the quick change gearboxs don't give you the ability to make threads. It sure is true that the tooling will end up costing as much or more than the lathe. However you can spread that out some. Also, if you upgrade the lathe later, you'll be able to keep much of the tooling for use with the new lathe.
Another fantastic and informative video. Keep up the awesome work. Now I must go inspect my machine and see if it has any hidden slide locks...
Fantastic.
Best intro-to-home/hobby-lathes ever seen. ... A "must see" for would-be machinists.
Just did a review on a very similar lathe...I’m going to look at getting something like that tool post.
Fantastic presentaion, so refreshing listening to someone that knows their stuff!
WOW! YOU are an impressive presenter. A breath of fresh air. I've spent the past day taking less than stellar presenters to task for their amateurish work. YOU need no such admonition.
wow excellent video, great info. also important is the slotted cross slide-some have them some don't. having it opens up all kinds of different opportunities....that's why the old Myfords are so sought after. I have a 1947 logan 400 I rebuilt.
Holy smokes, I have never seen anyone explain a lathe so intelligently, beautifully and with confidence in knowing what your talking about, you should design your own lathe with all the parts and specs that you like, and I believe you could become a millionaire, just keep me in mind if you make it happen 😉 awesome video thank you, I was about to buy a cheap Chinese mini lathe, but not now.
Thanks so much for this informative, professional video. I'm about to buy a small lathe, and feel much more confident about what to look for.
The best video I've seen on lathes! Thank-you very much and keep up the good work. You answered all the questions I had.
Real interesting about the casting sets. I like many just figured the deference was paint and maybe cosmetic details hand wheels etc. Now I know to look a little harder. Thanks!
omg thank you for explaining the "brushless" part so well 😀
I am impressed by your knowledge.
Greate upgrade for small lathes is electronic gearbox, consist of arduino, encoder and step motor.
It comes with all feed/thread ratio and without manual gear changing pain and gearbox noise =)
Good info. I see the arguments for New Asian and Vintage American. For all the part-finding trouble of the old American lathes they do offer a wonderful aesthetic experience. They are just beautiful to look at and the feeling of handling them is just pure pleasure. Also, they can be very cheap if you're patient. They are big and heavy though.
This was extremely helpful thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Great video and a lot of good info. I'm hoping to get into machining for hobby and DIY stuff. Something around the size of that 10X22 would seem to be ideal for that. A knee mill of similar quality (with DRO) would fill things out nicely. Much as it would be fun to play with CNC, I need to learn basic manual machining first.
I have to say that I have watched God only knows how many lathe videos were someone was supposed to give a review of the machine and after each one I watched I was more confused that before I watched them but your video not only answered every question I had but it also showed me places that I need to look for that I had zero clue about prior so thanks for the video and the new much needed knowledge you 100% know your stuff
Met with some makers the other day, they were delighted when I mentioned I was a machinist, and asked if I could look at their mini... one of my current lathes at work has a 31" chuck, I could literally chuck their workspace in my machine. Thanks for the precise rundown on an area of the trade I almost forgot existed.
Thank you, great infomation, you have helped me to decide which lathe to buy.
Very well done video I wish I had seen before I purchased a lathe 4 years ago. I ended up with a Grizzly G0602 which has the same basic 10"x22" castings as your Precision Matthews. When I first got the lathe I was having struggles with chatter just like yourself, but traced the problem to the clamping ring at the foot of the compound. You can verify this by putting your finger on the compound protractor while parting off a work piece to feel how much it flexes (a bunch!)
There are other minor issues as well, but I have addressed them all and I am now quite pleased with this unit for working with steel and softer materials.
Quinn, first, THANK YOU!
I work at a store that sells woodworking tools,
as well as the lumber you'd need.
So, I'm the guy that assembles all the tools, and
also reconditions all the used tools for resale.
Powermatic, Jet, Grizzly, Laguna, and every other
manufacturer use the exact castings, for their
planers. (I'd like to build a 20 inch planer, using
different painted parts, just to show that they
are all the same castings.)
But, there is a single table saw maker, that doesn't
dance to that tune. SawStop is built in the ROC,
(not PROC) China. If I were to buy a table saw, it'd
take me 1/2 second to make my decision. SawStop.
There are GOOD Asian tools, and also CRAP Asian
tools.
steve
What a great site, I have to express my sincere gratitude for all the work you have done and for sharing it with us I plan to see more of you. When compared to others your getting down to the real deal. Thank you so much and please have a safe and happy holiday season.