Lathe

[Whatsquirrel]

 It sure where to post this but if this is the wrong place please move it. I’m looking at cheap lathes. Ones I’m not gonna spend a lot on money. But the only one I can find close the me is a 7x10. I can order a 7x12 but they have no idea when it would be shipped or delivered. For air gun work would the 7x10 work? Mainly for making transfer ports, hammers, valve work & som barrel work. I looked it over pretty good today & cant see any reason it wouldn’t but I’ve never messed with lathes either. I’m just looking for advise on size. Really not brand yet. If I like it & it’s something I think I’ll stick with I’ll buy a better one later. Thanks for any info.

[nervoustrigger]

I have a 7x12 and I use it for the same sorts of things you describe, and if it had been 2 inches shorter, it would not have made any difference to me.

[ghostdncr]

I bought a 7x14 just last month and find it to be a little cramped, but then I regularly run one at work that could chuck up a good-sized V8 engine and transmission and still have about six feet of bed left over. You don't mention a budget, but mine was right around the $500 mark brand new and shipped promptly out of Memphis. I'm overall pleased with the deal but as is always the case with things, there are some sketchy points that will need addre$$ing.

It's been my experience that the machine you've got will probably never be ideal, but one of the tricks of the trade is that a good machinist will figure out a way to make do with what he/she has available. For most airgun parts, that 7x10 could probably be made to work just dandy. Does it come with any additional tooling? I've already spent more on tooling than I gave for the lathe and am just beginning to reach a somewhat comfortable point, so don't overlook that often hidden cost.

Also, don't hesitate to ask folks for help. I seriously doubt you'll encounter any heretofore unseen roadblocks and most machinists I know would rather jump on a problem than eat when they're hungry.

[Rallyshark]

The one I have is a 7 x 10, and I've managed to accomplish quite a bit with it   You can always sell it ant get a bigger one later if you feel the need.  Actually, you can upgrade the "x10" part later too if you wanted.  I say go for it and start tearing some stuff up  

[Airgunhunter73]

I have a harbor freight 7x10 that has worked well for me most of the time but a couple of times I wish it was a 7x14 for some longer work, I had to buy a different chuck as the center hole wasn't big enough to run my Texan barrel through so the place to go to for things like that is the Little Machine Shop man they have everything you can think an great customer service.

[Rob M]

i had a unimat 3 as my first lathe , about half the size of the 7by 10 harbor freight machine.. And since then , i always say any lathe is 1million times better than No lathe.. Because once you have a lathe , its impossible to go back to not having one.

[limbshaker]

The 12 or 14 inch bed will be worth it if you can find it. The 10 inch is really only a problem when you start using the tailstock with a drill chuck in it. You run out of bed quick.

As far as barrel work, you can do it, but it's a real pain in the butt. There's just no rigidity to be had, and the gibs are such junk that you will never get it perfect. You'll need a bigger chuck too if you want to do 16mm barrels or to take advantage of the full size of the spindle bore. If you do plan on cutting much steel or big stuff, hold off on the quick change tool post. You gain some rigidity with the fidgety stock 4 way.

I'm not knocking the mini lathes, I have a 7X12 and would be lost without it. I've done a lot of things with mine that it shouldn't have done and it's been a lifesaver. Just be realistic about what you can expect to do with it. Anything short of doing 16mm barrels all the time and you will love it.

I crowned and threaded a 16mm LW barrel on mine yesterday. It will test your patience, but you can do it.

[WhatUPSbox?]

The bed on the 7X10 is actually 4 inches shorter than the 7X12. Lots of good threads in the machining gate