General questions about metal lathes

[kimncris]

Thanks Merc

its the metal portion of the Zam Wessel pistol. I still have to make the handgrip.

maybe I can find a pic on the net...

-cris

edit- just thought of the fact that it is spoiler material...probably should not post movie pics here

Just look for the Episode II girl in purple and you will find the gun I am making for Kim's celebration costume

 

[Brevin Din-Shay]

Wow, I just logged back on before hitting the sack early (haha, thought I'd do that 2 hours ago!), and I see yet another great work! Thanks for putting that up, Cris.

It's funny that Merc asked that question, because I actually thought it was a saber! I guess you just can't assume too much...heck, look at the fact that a flashgun was stuck in the end of one of Fett's blaster rifles and that should say enough.

What are you making the grip from? I don't know much about that gun at all. If that's spoiler info, just PM me.

David

 

[kimncris]

I think we are making it from injection molded bondo board or something like that.

I'll let you know after tomorrow. Hopefully I will have most of it finished,

ck

 

[Brevin Din-Shay]

Hi all,

I thought I'd revive an old topic.

Those of you with metal lathe and milling experience, please share your thoughts and works in this thread!

I'm curious about a couple of things:

1. What brands do you recommend (or DO NOT recommend!) for around the 500-1000 dollar price range? What are your reasons?

2. What have you or someone you know created? Please share pics!

Thanks!

 

[Poseidon11]

I have a Jet 9 x 20 lathe. It has a 3/4 hp motor. I find it plenty enough power to cut aluminum for sabers and such. What I don't like about the smaller lathes is the inablility to use a taper attachment.

When buying a lathe you also have to consider the price of tooling and accessories. I got a good deal on my lathe at $500 and have invested another $300 in additional parts.

Here is a link to a Harbor Freight 9 x 20 (identical to the Jet). http://bedair.org/9x20.html

This has a great deal of info about these lathes.

Once I had the lathe it was only a matter of time before I HAD to buy a mill.

 

[Brevin Din-Shay]

Thanks, Poseidon!

I've heard a similar story about the Jet brand from a friend, but his actually involved breaking down.

Anyone else? I'm hoping there will be some new info in this thread so that the Admins will merge it to my original archived one:
http://rpf.prop-planet.com/viewtopic.php?topic=10044&forum=5

Lots of broken pics, but much good info.

 

[badger]

I have a taig mini lathe. I can't recommend it over any other lathe because I've never used anything else. I got it for free as a gift, but they seem to be around $400 or so. The nice thing is that they are expandable and adaptable.

http://taigtools.com

It has been a lot of fun to learn with and from.

Here are some of the things I've made with it.

Zam Wessal Blaster barrel

Gallery: http://box23.net/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=1

Imperial Disc "Greeblies"

Gallery: http://box23.net/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=3

Rebel Pilot Code Cylinders

Boba Fett Knee Darts

Gallery: http://box23.net/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=18

badger

 

[Rodann]

I bought an Enco Lathe/Mill/Drill combo for $900 new a few years ago- around 2000 I think. It was well worth the money, and hasn't broken down yet (crosses fingers).

It's 11" between centers (average saber length), and I've made dozens of sabers, knee darts, blaster parts, and even my entire aluminum custom blaster on it. The mill is a bit shaky- it uses the drill chuck/arbor, and can fall out if it vibrates too much. Small machines are less steady anyway.

The lathe is great, though. And because of the mill/drill, I have a lot of versatility. You can actually drill into the part you just turned, without repositioning.

 

[Pulseriflefan]

some aluwork made with my Proxxon (table, stand & motor ca. $600-700 I think):

PR front block

Thompson upper and lower (sorry, allready weathered)

Steady Cam bracket

Smart Gun block

 

[Brevin Din-Shay]

Wonderful stuff, you guys! Thanks for posting the pics, also.

It's good to see more people finally joining in here.

Any and all knowledge is very welcome.

 

[badger]

That is the big drawback for the Taig, distance between centers. It is definitely a MINI lathe.

The other is no screw cutting capability. But, I got it for free, so no complaints from me.

I can make a fair amount of stuff with it, and I am pretty happy with it. The Zam Blaster was complex, but I did it just fine. Next step is a Lightsaber custom I think.

badger

 

[Brevin Din-Shay]

Thanks again, all who responded. Keep up the awesome work!

I've contacted the administration to see if this thread can be merged with my original one in the archives.

 

[yodaman]

archived