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What size Lathe ?

Welcome aboard!
If your stock is 5" a 7" lathe will be too small. 8" is borderline. Something to consider is that machine rigidity increases with machine size. So while an 8" capacity lathe will accommodate 5" stock, the amount of material you may be able to remove in one pass will be limited so roughing down to a smaller diameter could be a time consuming and ultimately frustrating task.
I started with a 7X mini lathe and found it to basically be junk. I then bought a 10" South Bend which was an ideal hobby size lathe. Its only downfall was the spindle could only pass 3/4" stock which I found limiting.
I now own a 12X37 which is the perfect size for my needs. I don't make large parts but it has sufficient rigidity to take a decent cut without bogging down.
 
I have a South Bend Heavy 10L, it's just about the smallest lathe I would want to own. Being the "L" model, it has a 1-3/8" spindle bore, which allows passing a much larger shaft through the spindle than the 10R.

Don't buy a lathe that is barely big enough to do the job you are currently envisioning, you will out-grow it much too soon.
 
Offshore said:
Thanks for the quick reply David! ok I will keep looking, I'm guessing it would require a 6" chuck too hold the 5" stock?
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My South Bend had 6" chucks. Other than the small spindle bore it was a good lathe.
I would not buy smaller than a 10".
 
It all depends on what, where and why. What are building, fly fishing reels, is that all, any other projects in mind? Where are you putting the lathe, basement, heated, unheated garage? Why, diy, hobby, Etsy sales, more?

If it’s just a diy hobby, fly fishing reels, no plans to do much bigger. Look for an emco compact 8. Compact 5 would be a bit too small. Great quality and they can be had for around 1k, leeps above the junk 7 inch lathes online. This is a small lathe fit in any basement bench or even a storeroom. Great starter lathes. Spend some time looking on the market places, figure out a budget and look for a deal on a qaulity lathe, pounce when it comes up. Budget and capable is time and patience.

For more look at what has been recommended. Better to get a good qaulity used lathe then a cheap online one for the same money. Standard modern, 9 and 10 inch. Is my recommendation. Heavy requires thought in moving. South bends: other quality lathes. Stay on here and you will get lots-of advice and notifications on lathes in the market.
 
I make centerpin reels and use a 12x36 lathe and feel it's barely adequate for the job! Once I move my shop I will be buying a 14x40. Buy the biggest lathe (within reason) you can the first time if possible.
 
I had a South Bend 9 and recently moved to a 13x40 Colchester clone and am very happy with it. For me it is the difference between a smile and a frown when I doing lathe work. Keep in mind the hauling and rigging costs if you go bigger.
 
I won't pee on little lathes. They have their purpose and many can do great work if you respect their limits. But when you push the swing limits, bigger is always better.

It's easy to assume that a lathe will turn parts as big as the lathes swing. But actually doing it will make your head swing instead. Getting a cutting tool in place at the diameter you want to turn will be a huge endeavor and will compromise rigidity.

Buy what you can afford and then upgrade later. Upgrading isn't a huge loss. If you think about the interim usage and reduced resale price as rent, it's cheap rent. It's also a very cheap education.

At least one of our regular members (@eotrfish) makes drop dead gorgeous reels.
 
I realize location makes a huge difference, including being north of the line, but something like this is what I would recommend. Be sure to watch for a quick-change gearbox. Patience pays off. Have the cash in hand and be ready to jump quickly. (Yes, that's USD)

1745160194867.png
 
Offshore said:
i was thinking 2k for an 8" lathe but I may have to increase that if i'm gonna go for a 10", i'm going to have to give it some more thought.
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If this is your first lathe, take some time to think about what your needs are, space for the lathe, tooling can be another concern. Keep posting to this thread, the wealth of knowledge and depth of help here is really great.
 
1018Machine said:
I make centerpin reels and use a 12x36 lathe and feel it's barely adequate for the job! Once I move my shop I will be buying a 14x40. Buy the biggest lathe (within reason) you can the first time if possible.
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That's awesome! do you design your own reels? What size stock are you starting with?
 
Susquatch said:
I won't pee on little lathes. They have their purpose and many can do great work if you respect their limits. But when you push the swing limits, bigger is always better.

It's easy to assume that a lathe will turn parts as big as the lathes swing. But actually doing it will make your head swing instead. Getting a cutting tool in place at the diameter you want to turn will be a huge endeavor and will compromise rigidity.

Buy what you can afford and then upgrade later. Upgrading isn't a huge loss. If you think about the interim usage and reduced resale price as rent, it's cheap rent. It's also a very cheap education.

At least one of our regular members (@eotrfish) makes drop dead gorgeous reels.
Click to expand...
Good points, I wouldn't have thought there were this many reel makers around!
 
Offshore said:
Good points, I wouldn't have thought there were this many reel makers around!
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I think you will find several pleasant surprises among the members here..... Even I manage to learn something new each day here, even if most of the lessons involve a bandage just ahead of the learning curve. :rolleyes:
If a large percentage of your work is going to be 5", you'll want to consider a lathe that will accommodate a chuck large enough that the jaws aren't protruding from the body if at all possible from a safety standpoint.
Maybe take a 5"disc of some sort and go visit a local lathe dealer and dry run your "stock" on a few different sizes, and see what feels like the right fit size-wise. Then you can take your search into the used market. While you're at the store, toss that little disc onto a couple mill tables, you're going to want one of those soon too. :rolleyes:
 
140mower said:
I think you will find several pleasant surprises among the members here..... Even I manage to learn something new each day here, even if most of the lessons involve a bandage just ahead of the learning curve. :rolleyes:
If a large percentage of your work is going to be 5", you'll want to consider a lathe that will accommodate a chuck large enough that the jaws aren't protruding from the body if at all possible from a safety standpoint.
Maybe take a 5"disc of some sort and go visit a local lathe dealer and dry run your "stock" on a few different sizes, and see what feels like the right fit size-wise. Then you can take your search into the used market. While you're at the store, toss that little disc onto a couple mill tables, you're going to want one of those soon too. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
That brings me to the Lathe/mill combo machine, it seems to check alot of boxes for me, I don't have alot of space and it looks very space efficient, it also looks alot more cost efficient than 2 separate machines although at the cost of convenience I'm sure. 1"1/8 spindle bore which seems like it would be large enough to be useful, and 110v so I can just plug into an existing outlet (I don't have a big shop with 220v) although they are only 3/4 hp so possibly underpowered? I dunno ,do you think a machine like this would be up to the task for a hobbyist?
 
Offshore said:
I dunno ,do you think a machine like this would be up to the task for a hobbyist?
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A combo machine is always a bit of a compromise and not many members have one. There are a few here who do though. Also, several of my close friends have combo machines and they love them.

I think it all depends on how amenable you are to their compromises and what your expectations are.

Visit this thread to get a sense of what the average member has.

Susquatch

Thread 'What size lathe do you have?'

In an effort to understand our membership we ask everyone to complete the survey above as well as the other one about mills that will be posted shortly.

Yes, there is lots of other equipment and maybe they should be surveyed too but let's start with these two.

You may select as many options as appropriate and you can change your vote anytime.
  • Like

I would think that reel making demands a bit of precision to be both smooth, efficient, and beautiful. But I also think these qualities are mostly in the hands of the maker and less limited by the maker's machines. A good careful methodical knowledgeable machinist can make beautiful things on a less than perfect lathe, and almost anybody can butcher things on a precision lathe.

I like the suggestion to go and visit a few shops or vendors and test fit your parts to get a sense of how you might proceed and what you might need.

Where are you located anyway?
.
 
Susquatch said:
A combo machine is always a it of a compromise and not many members have one. There are a few here who do though. Also, several of my close friends have combo machines and they love them.

I think it all depends on how amenable you are to the compromises and what your expectations are.

I would think that reel making demands a bit of precision to be both smooth, efficient, and beautiful. But I also think these qualities are mostly in the hands of the maker and less limited by the maker's machines. A good careful methodical knowledgeable machinist can make beautiful things on a less than perfect lathe, and almost anybody can butcher things on a precision lathe.

I like the suggestion to go and visit a few shops or vendors and test fit your parts to get a sense of how you might proceed and what you might need.

Where are you located anyway?
.
Click to expand...
Thanks Susquatch, I'm in Whistler BC
 
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