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Hello from Windermere, B.C.

glenn1

glenn1

New Member
I’m new to metal turning. Have two Oneway wood lathes, but now I need a metal lathe. Looking to make my own pen parts and bushings and anything else I can turn. Wood love to be able to add metal pieces to my wood turnings also!
so if anyone out there could give me some help on finding a used lathe that will do these things along with threads of course I’d be greatful.
 
Welcome. If you intend to stay in the smaller scale for parts like that, Sherline lathes are actually pretty decent. Unfortunately USA made & FX is going the wrong way. But you do see the occasional sell off like when people get out of the hobby & often with tooling (which is another cost layer regardless). I've posted some links from guys on model engineering forums who have done some real impressive work on Sherlines I would not have thought possible. A downside may be threading. I know it can be done but not sure if its an accessory pita or limited range? A lot of their tooling components are intended to be cross adaptable to their other machines & accessories (milling machine, rotary table...) so gives it some added utility.

If you go the Asian mini lathe route, read up on names & user experiences. Some people have gotten a lot of functionality & others have had issues. Usually the electrics moreso then mechanicals. They also can be limited in terms of threading depending on the make & model.

Try Googling using keywords that match what you think you'd like do or aspire to do & you will probably get a sense of pros & cons & cost & ......
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/258163-metal-lathe-considerations/
https://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/forum/woodworking/turning/34169-mini-lathe-pen-turning-newbie
 
This is just a visual great site to cruise around regardless. The projects are made on all kinds of machines & ranging experience level. But I notice if the builder happens to be a Sherline user they mention it as a plug. I'm not endorsing them (I don't own a Sherline) but just commenting on smaller machines in general because the bigger machines are, well... bigger LOL
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/alphalist.htm
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.

Another route you could go if looking for a small hobby lathe is to keep an eye open for old Myford lathes that come on the market every now and then.

Cheers,
Chad
 
Welcome to the group. For pen parts a taig lathe might work. Both it and a sherline are better than a Unimat. Although if you really want a Unimat I can do better than the one in Ontario. Leevalley tools sells the taig and they come up occasionally on kijiji. They are less costly than a sherline but you do have to buy a few extra parts for metal working.
 
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