Advice,. good Hobby Lathe ???

[Wolvster1]

I am SLOWLY adding to my tool collection
in the garage and now am looking for a good hobby lathe !

Anyone have any advice on a good brand to get ?
I'm NOT talking making chair legs or anything
of that nature, so I was looking for $ 100- $ 150
range ?

Anyone care to chime in ? :cool

 

[BlindSquirrel]

Sadly, there's not much in that price range except some micro-lathes.

I have a full size Harbor Freight lathe that cost about $150 and I would've been better served to spend more for a better one.

You need a SOLID cast iron body and rails to make sure there's no movement when you're turning. The HF lathe is steel, so I'm constantly fighting movement and flexing when the piece is large.

I believe the Jet Mini-lathe is in the $250-300 range. I think it's worth the extra money.

 

[Wolvster1]

Actually, one of many I was looking at was
this one....

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00922106000P?keyword=lathe

Seems not too bad for the price,
anyone have any more opinions ? :cool

 

[BlindSquirrel]

I considered that one too as I like the Craftsman brand. Unfortunately it doesn't allow for a tailstock extention so you're limited to that size.

 

[dz4180]

I take it that you are only working on wood maybe, and no metal?

 

[Wolvster1]

Nope, defiantly NO metal... I'll mostly
be working with bass wood and renshape...

I just honestly can not see spending $300-$400
on something that I will not use that often.... :redface