[Drakkn]

Has anyone out there done this if so can you point me in the direction of the thread or point me in the right direction so I can start.

Fancy building one then teaching myself how to use it.

Regards

Tony

[40fordcoupe]

Fancy building one then teaching myself how to use it.

Hello,
The idea is a very attractive one and it has been done, David Gingery published a book about doing just that. I believe the book is still in print and available in the UK. If you do a search on his name you will find a number of sources.

However, IMHO it is not worth the effort, after spending a lot of time building one most people end up with a lathe that is not very precise. Better to spend all that time learning on a "store bought" lathe by actually using it. I believe in the end you will be much more satisfied. Either way good luck with your quest.

[Drakkn]

Hello,
The idea is a very attractive one and it has been done, David Gingery published a book about doing just that. I believe the book is still in print and available in the UK. If you do a search on his name you will find a number of sources.

However, IMHO it is not worth the effort, after spending a lot of time building one most people end up with a lathe that is not very precise. Better to spend all that time learning on a "store bought" lathe by actually using it. I believe in the end you will be much more satisfied. Either way good luck with your quest.

Hi

Yes I understand what you mean - will look for the book as a good starting point - however I would not know which to buy (only have a small budget for this as well)

Regards

Tony

[40fordcoupe]

Hi

Yes I understand what you mean - will look for the book as a good starting point - however I would not know which to buy (only have a small budget for this as well)

The book itself is an interesting read, worth the money for that reason alone.
The series is called "Build a Complete Metalworking Shop from Scrap."
If you were in the USA I would advise the Taig, the Sherline or the Chinese mini-lathe.
Perhaps some in the UK can give you better advice on that part. I have no idea what is available there. I believe at one time there was a lathe called the HOBBYMAT MD65 that was sold in the UK. It was a pretty well built lathe from East Germany. You may be able to find a used one at a good price. I understand parts are still available. It was sold in the USA as the PRAZI SD300. I have owned one of those for many years, but am not sure if they are still made. Hope this is not too confusing. Again good luck
BTW here is a site for mini lathe owners it has a lot of information
http://www.mini-lathe.com/

[freemen]

http://ixian.ca/

He built a nice one and prety solid also !!

[40fordcoupe]

http://ixian.ca/

He built a nice one and prety solid also !!

I must say I am impressed not only by the apparent quality, but the number of projects he has completed, Very Good!
For me it is "So many ideas so little time." I'm still working on my anti-gravity machine, no luck yet.

[ger21]

Other than the gingery, which requires you to make patterns, build a foundry, and cast the parts, all the homebuilt lathes I've seen were far more elaborate and cost a lot more than any basic lathe, and required very impressive machinist skills, as well as serious equipment.

Here's one.
http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40584

Here's the home built lathe that the Dumpster CNC anti backlash nuts are made on.
http://www.dumpstercnc.com/projects/...ed_lathe_2008/

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiLSnykUKXo"]YouTube- Scratch built CNC Slantbed Lathe - finished.[/ame]

[M250cnc]

Very impressive, but why no telescopic ball screw covers.

Phil

[leggazoid]

Scratch built (small and economical)...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/17762888/M...NC-Mini-Lathe1

Conversion...

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51751

advanced...

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59421

[Guldberg]

My go at a lathe

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51688

Follow the link to the picasa album for more pictures. Im working (slowly) on the cabinet and cover right now, but i dont have a camera on hand at the time being