[panofish]

Just bought a used harbor freight 7x10 mini lathe for $200.
I'd like some advice on restoring/tuning to like new or better than new condition.

[eartaker]

I would follow this guide as if the machine were new as it is to you. http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Setup/setup.htm

In other words take everything apart, clean everything, lube everything put it back together.

This page will show you how to adjust the Lathe
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Tuning/tuning.htm

Have fun and don't be afraid to ask any questions.

[panofish]

Thanks! ... that hit the nail on the head!

[Crevice Reamer]

Some other info you may find useful:

http://littlemachineshop.com/Info/Mi...UsersGuide.pdf

http://littlemachineshop.com/Info/ge...01.htm&d=0|1|2

http://crevicereamer.com/Page_70.html

CR.

[rowbare]

There is a lot of good information here: http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projects.aspx

In particular, the "C3 Mini-Lathe Preparation Guide" is really good.

bob

[panofish]

Wow... All those links really cover the topic nicely!
It looks like I'll be doing a full dis-assembly of my mini lathe.
THANKS!

[knudsen]

Varmit Al has some interesting mods and info on his site. It's linked on the mini-lathe.com site. If you have some way to cut brass gibs, that sure smoothed up my cross slide. Good luck with your rebuild!

[RotarySMP]

There are dozens of mods which improve the 7x:
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist....p?topic=7893.0


My favourites:
- T slot cross slide
http://www.wrathall.com/Interests/ma...oss_slide1.htm
- Cross slide travel increase
http://www.wrathall.com/Interests/ma...l_increase.htm
-Using an AXA QCTP
- And now that I have finally done it, the tailstock lever lock mod.
http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105769

Back when mine was still a manual machine, I also added bearings to the cross slide and compound handles.

[drmico60]

I would also suggest you look at these sites:

GadgetBuilder's MiniLathe Site

mikesworkshop - Introduction

[knudsen]

There are dozens of mods which improve the 7x:
best mods for 7x10 mini lathe & mill what's yours?


My favourites:
- T slot cross slide
wrathall.com
- Cross slide travel increase
wrathall.com
-Using an AXA QCTP
- And now that I have finally done it, the tailstock lever lock mod.
Build Thread Cam lock Tail stock for 7x12 - CNCzone.com-The Largest Machinist Community on the net!

Back when mine was still a manual machine, I also added bearings to the cross slide and compound handles.

Mark, did you happen to save a copy of the article of the cross slide detailed by Martin Cleve? Seem gone from Yahoo group

[RotarySMP]

Yes, here it is.

[knudsen]

Thank you very much, Mark.