[johntech]

Now that I have my cnc milling maching up and running, I am finding the need for a desktop lathe to make parts for my model railroad. I have looked at several models and am asking your opinion on these or any others I have over looked. The ones I have checked ou so far are:

HiTorque 7x12 Mini Lathe with Tooling Package, Part Number: 4287 from LittleMachineShop

LatheMaster 8 x 14 Mini Lathe, model:CQ6120X320

MicroLux 7x16 Mini Lathe, Item #: 84631 from Micro-Mark.

I'm not looking to convert these to cnc just use as a manual lathe.

Thank you

John Frankforther

[Hans_G]

From the reviews I've read, the 8x14's are a better choice than the 7xXX's out there for rigidity and bang/buck. I haven't owned either, I'm just offering a quick summary of what I've read over the years (I've got a Grizzly G0602). Hopefully you'll get some people with actual model railroading parts making experience to chime in also.

[Al_The_Man]

I picked up a LatheMaster 9x30 some time ago and they are supposed to be slightly higher quality than the average, flame hardened ways etc.
Bob Bertrand is a pretty fair guy, when you can get hold of him!
Lathemaster 9x30 First Chips!
Al.

[johnohara]

johntech~

Out of curiosity, what kinds of parts are you intending to make with the lathe?

Could you post some pics of your work?

When "stevehuckss396" was building his V8 engine, and later the scaled mini-bike, the pics he posted were great.

~john

[johntech]

johntech~

Out of curiosity, what kinds of parts are you intending to make with the lathe?

Could you post some pics of your work?

When "stevehuckss396" was building his V8 engine, and later the scaled mini-bike, the pics he posted were great.

~john

Hi John
As of right now I'm building a rotary coal dumper and I need to make some pulleys to drive from the motor to the drum through a jackshaft. Everything I find at the local hobby shops are metric and not the size I'm looking for. Here are some pics of the end and side pieces I have milled out so far.

[johnohara]

Very nice work. Thank you.

[johntech]

Very nice work. Thank you.

I for got to mention this is for S gauge or American Flyer trains so it's not something I can buy off the shelf. All parts have been designed from scratch.