https://www.ebay.com/itm/166143139162?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20240202135653%26meid%3D7160f6702d354b9d95702029cc0a9912%26pid%3D101963%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26itm%3D166143139162%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DWatchlistVariantWithMLR%26brand%3DVEVOR&_trksid=p4375194.c101963.m47999&_trkparms=parentrq%3A10bf081a18e0ab3a9cf03250ffff021c%7Cpageci%3A39bcd305-db40-11ee-aeb6-c25f08bbd145%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepagenever seen em this cheap in the last 8 yrs
Doesn't seem to cut imperial threads, probably has a metric lead screw. Could be tough to do imperial threads, but I'd bet if one is clever enough it might be possible. Still, it is a small lathe, which is handy. I have a mini-lathe from LMS, which was considerably more expensive, but it has both metric and imperial thread cutting gears, a longer bed and a quick change tool post. LMS does support their product, has good documentation and offers spare parts, not so sure about Vevor.On other machining forums there's a lot of chatter about lathes like these, most of it on the sadder side. If you have experience, it is possible to do good work with one, or even to fix it's short comings. For inexperienced people, it is a tough slog as they don't even know how to discern between what's normal or not. If you enjoy a good project and are willing to learn a lot, then one of these might be fun. Who knows, it might even be decent straight out of the box. These are not high end machines, so fit and finish may not be the greatest.I was gifted a 3T arbor press from Vevor. The cast hand wheel was filled with razor sharp edges and needed to be totally refinished. It was if it was straight out of the mold, there was no finishing. There were other parts that needed attention for it to work properly. It is an arbor press, but I have doubts it is really 3T as it is less than 1/2 the weight of other 3T presses. But even with it's warts, I can press pins and studs into place and have done some minor broaching. So it may be the same with the lathe - it will have some utility. Good luck - it is an attractive price. I'll leave it up to your judgement if it is a good value. It could be...
Their site says, "30 day free returns......
Quote from: Rohmpm on March 08, 2024, 12:21:47 PMTheir site says, "30 day free returns......Is it at their expense, or yours? Shipping rates are hugely asymmetric, it costs a whole lot more to ship back than the other way. This is a product which is targeted at beginners who may not realize something isn't quite right for a while (more than 30 days). If one was experienced and took it on as a challenge, I can see that. For a rank beginner, this is a lathe shaped object, which may never perform to the buyers performance expectations. Maybe it's fixable enough, but not all beginners have the skills to even know what to do, never mind fix it. I'm not saying they are all terrible, some in fact may be quite serviceable. If it's looked upon as a possible throw away, or a challenge, it might be interesting to play with. All beginners want to start out as cheaply as possible, I did too. I know I have been burned a few times by going cheap and had to buy something different (and more expensive) the second time around. So it wasn't economical for me in the end.You pay your money and take your chances. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't.
@Ronno6, then that isn't too bad. As long as one is knowledgeable enough to evaluate it, would be worth a try. Pretty clear you are in that category (knowledgeable) with your experience level.
As you noted, it took work to make it usable. If I am allowed an inference based on your mentioned use, it would seem it is being minimally used because you have a better solution for general use. Would the work you performed be obvious to a rank beginner? If so, I'll change my thoughts on this. I'm not inherently against lower cost items, as long as they end up fit for purpose. It's probably better than no lathe at all.