[Lahti35]

Hey gang I'm wanting a lathe to build the things i can't build!

Anybody know of a good make/model for smaller hobby type stuff?

 I need it to be able to handle at max like a 2"-3" x 9"-12" piece of stock or something close.

I have space limitations so it can't be huge and it needs to opperate off a regular wall plug. 

[Sam Simons]

Hmmm...well, 110V will  keep you in the 'small' category,fer sure.....
Unimat,EMCO Maier,Taig,Sherline lathes,all accurate,may be too small in capacity
for your needs. Perhaps a better choice would be the Altas lathe,also marketed by
SEARS several years back.
Ain't gonna turn any GAZ parts are ya?

[Lahti35]

Hmmm...well, 110V will  keep you in the 'small' category,fer sure.....
Unimat,EMCO Maier,Taig,Sherline lathes,all accurate,may be too small in capacity
for your needs. Perhaps a better choice would be the Altas lathe,also marketed by
SEARS several years back.
Ain't gonna turn any GAZ parts are ya?

Nothin for the Gaz..... though i do need to redo cylinder #4..... worn out and making bad noises!

I'm just looking for something i can turn some homade fasteners and some small projects.... seems like i always need to turn something

I saw a used Unimat, thats what got me started towards buying a lathe.

[The Garbone]

Something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHOPSMITH-One-Tool-Workshop-Drill-Press-Lathe-Handyman-/130385093122?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5b8ea202

[BigDon]

Try this outfit....http://www.americanmachinetools.com/

[RGT]

I had an old Atlas 10" with lots of tooling, even had a small fixture that would go on the cross slide that would allow you to mill small parts. Mine was one of the first models with Timken bearings, look for a bearinged headstock if you are buying an older model. Since you will find that if you just buy a bare lathe you will spend quite a bit of money in tooling for it whenever you go to do something. Try and find someone selling one with lots of tooling. I would buy an old Atlas in good condition again. I used it pretty hard for quite a number of years and it was no worse for the wear when I sold it. My only complaint with it was that I had to change the back gears to do threading. If you are looking to do more than the occassional threading you may want something more modern.

[Lahti35]

I had an old Atlas 10" with lots of tooling, even had a small fixture that would go on the cross slide that would allow you to mill small parts. Mine was one of the first models with Timken bearings, look for a bearinged headstock if you are buying an older model. Since you will find that if you just buy a bare lathe you will spend quite a bit of money in tooling for it whenever you go to do something. Try and find someone selling one with lots of tooling. I would buy an old Atlas in good condition again. I used it pretty hard for quite a number of years and it was no worse for the wear when I sold it. My only complaint with it was that I had to change the back gears to do threading. If you are looking to do more than the occassional threading you may want something more modern.

I like that! Searching for an Atlas

[RGT]

back in the '80's when I bought this with all the tooling and a bit of stock I paid $650, I sold it in 2004 for about the same.