NorthwoodsRockets
Well-Known Member
I'm in Lake Placid, NY (the middle of the frozen north) looking for a lathe primarily to turn nozzles, but to also turn the occasional case. I have never used a lathe before, so I need some guidance getting started.
Even though other threads recommend, "Go big or going home!" so to speak, my 20' x 20' shop is already fairly full with cabinets and shelves, compressor, welder, drill press, belt sander, metal and wood band saws, chop saw, mixers, rockets and lots of crap, so smaller is better. What so you think about these lathes? They are relatively close geographically and in (or close to) my price range -$400. (Yes, I know that is ridiculously little, $1,500 to $2,500 is not happening.) Not a big factor, but South Glens Falls is 2 hours south, North Hero is two hours NE, and Central Square is roughly 3 hours west. So, a road trip to check them out before making a decision would not be convenient. I am fairly sure they would all do nozzles, but I know the North Hero South Bend and Atlas are smaller than I would like as I could only make short cases. I have no idea how long the bed is on the South Glens Falls South Bend lathe, but it appears to be about the same 18" between centers as the others.
https://glensfalls.craigslist.org/tls/d/south-glens-falls-south-bend-lathe/6937915499.html
And
https://syracuse.craigslist.org/tls/d/central-square-atlas-mk2-metal-lathe/6929199597.html
There is also this which is not together. I am reasonably handy - putting together bobsleds that did not disintegrate on the track. Do you think I could get it together? I don't know if he has pictures of it before it was taken apart or a manual for it. No joy from a brief internet search.
https://vermont.craigslist.org/tls/d/north-hero-south-bend-lathe/6933650712.html
Thanks for your help,
Matt Roy, OLY
Even though other threads recommend, "Go big or going home!" so to speak, my 20' x 20' shop is already fairly full with cabinets and shelves, compressor, welder, drill press, belt sander, metal and wood band saws, chop saw, mixers, rockets and lots of crap, so smaller is better. What so you think about these lathes? They are relatively close geographically and in (or close to) my price range -$400. (Yes, I know that is ridiculously little, $1,500 to $2,500 is not happening.) Not a big factor, but South Glens Falls is 2 hours south, North Hero is two hours NE, and Central Square is roughly 3 hours west. So, a road trip to check them out before making a decision would not be convenient. I am fairly sure they would all do nozzles, but I know the North Hero South Bend and Atlas are smaller than I would like as I could only make short cases. I have no idea how long the bed is on the South Glens Falls South Bend lathe, but it appears to be about the same 18" between centers as the others.
https://glensfalls.craigslist.org/tls/d/south-glens-falls-south-bend-lathe/6937915499.html
And
https://syracuse.craigslist.org/tls/d/central-square-atlas-mk2-metal-lathe/6929199597.html
There is also this which is not together. I am reasonably handy - putting together bobsleds that did not disintegrate on the track. Do you think I could get it together? I don't know if he has pictures of it before it was taken apart or a manual for it. No joy from a brief internet search.
https://vermont.craigslist.org/tls/d/north-hero-south-bend-lathe/6933650712.html
Thanks for your help,
Matt Roy, OLY