Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
Moderator: Harold_V
- Adirondack
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
- Location: southern CT
Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
Hi folks.
I'm looking for recommendations on a small desktop machine with a 6" or so swing and a length of 12-15", with a decent sized motor. I'd prefer a turnkey system. Did I mention it needs to be affordable (under $3-4k)? If the only way in at that price point is used, then who would you trust with your money?
Please, no "Get a Bridgeport", etc. I need to be able to move this thing somewhat easily while turning out wheels, axles, and other small parts in mild steel and brass.
Thanks
Chris
I'm looking for recommendations on a small desktop machine with a 6" or so swing and a length of 12-15", with a decent sized motor. I'd prefer a turnkey system. Did I mention it needs to be affordable (under $3-4k)? If the only way in at that price point is used, then who would you trust with your money?
Please, no "Get a Bridgeport", etc. I need to be able to move this thing somewhat easily while turning out wheels, axles, and other small parts in mild steel and brass.
Thanks
Chris
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
-
- Posts: 366
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:36 am
- Location: Bohemia, NY
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
Chris,
Good luck on your search. What you are looking for , 6" swing x 12-15" length falls into the category of a small turning center......not benchtop size. They are available in your price range, but it will be an older machine. You may also find someone who has converted a flatbed lathe to CNC , but again it may not be benchtop size.
Nyle
Good luck on your search. What you are looking for , 6" swing x 12-15" length falls into the category of a small turning center......not benchtop size. They are available in your price range, but it will be an older machine. You may also find someone who has converted a flatbed lathe to CNC , but again it may not be benchtop size.
Nyle
- Adirondack
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- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
- Location: southern CT
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
Thanks for the tip. If I reduced the swing and length requirements, what would be suitable? I'm flexible, as I was "thinking ahead".LIALLEGHENY wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2020 3:42 pm Chris,
Good luck on your search. What you are looking for , 6" swing x 12-15" length falls into the category of a small turning center......not benchtop size. They are available in your price range, but it will be an older machine. You may also find someone who has converted a flatbed lathe to CNC , but again it may not be benchtop size.
Nyle
Cheers,
Chris
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10557
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
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Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
smaller CNC machines are not practical for what you are doing....nor are they significantly less expensive or lighter weight.
I could not (in good conscience) recommend anything smaller than this:
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=M ... cctid=5415
I could not (in good conscience) recommend anything smaller than this:
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=M ... cctid=5415
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
- Adirondack
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
- Location: southern CT
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
Bill, that seems like A LOT of machine for someone who spends his time on the high line. I'm strictly 3 1/2" gauge, and I can always farm out the odds and ends for something larger in the future.Bill Shields wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:13 pm smaller CNC machines are not practical for what you are doing....nor are they significantly less expensive or lighter weight.
I could not (in good conscience) recommend anything smaller than this:
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=M ... cctid=5415
I was looking at this machine: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... 3e5fuNQWIE
I imported a large industrial laser cutter a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. If you stick with established sellers and avoid the Ebay "bargains", you can find a decent machine.
Chris
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10557
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
recommend you keep looking
you will be much better off with a solid, used machine that will serve you better in the long run.
you will be much better off with a solid, used machine that will serve you better in the long run.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
-
- Posts: 366
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:36 am
- Location: Bohemia, NY
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
I would stay away from any "bargain" you may find coming out of China....all is well until something doesn't work , breaks, wears out....good luck
getting support or parts. I'm not very familiar with the smaller end of hobby size lathes, so I don,t really know what is on the market. What I do know is Emco made some small CNC lathes that are decent quality, still supported with parts and somewhat affordable. Check out Ebay. There is quite a bit about them on YouTube if you look. Try the 120T
Nyle
getting support or parts. I'm not very familiar with the smaller end of hobby size lathes, so I don,t really know what is on the market. What I do know is Emco made some small CNC lathes that are decent quality, still supported with parts and somewhat affordable. Check out Ebay. There is quite a bit about them on YouTube if you look. Try the 120T
Nyle
- Adirondack
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
- Location: southern CT
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
As I mentioned, I steer clear of the "bargains". I think of these machines as being "affordable". Most of the used turning centers I've found are massive and would require a rigger just to get it in my shop. Much like my current laser cutter, this would be more manageable. There just isn't a lot of information on US-based users.LIALLEGHENY wrote: ↑Thu Apr 02, 2020 6:18 am I would stay away from any "bargain" you may find coming out of China....all is well until something doesn't work , breaks, wears out....good luck
getting support or parts. I'm not very familiar with the smaller end of hobby size lathes, so I don,t really know what is on the market. What I do know is Emco made some small CNC lathes that are decent quality, still supported with parts and somewhat affordable. Check out Ebay. There is quite a bit about them on YouTube if you look. Try the 120T
Nyle
http://www.yornew.com/en/ck210.asp
The search continues.
Chris
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10557
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
continue search.
30+ years of experience supporting CNC machines tells me that you are only purchasing trouble..
30+ years of experience supporting CNC machines tells me that you are only purchasing trouble..
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
- Adirondack
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
- Location: southern CT
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
Bill, I genuinely appreciate the friendly warning.Bill Shields wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:56 am continue search.
30+ years of experience supporting CNC machines tells me that you are only purchasing trouble..
Chris
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/
A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
- Bill Shields
- Posts: 10557
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
- Location: 39.367, -75.765
- Contact:
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
consider the 'accuracy' and reputability of the machines you are viewing - ok convert from inches to metric and look at what you can expect to get - and what your parts will require. Granted - steam loco parts do not need to be terribly accurate, but some things - like axles under bearings and where they are press fit into wheels - DO NEED to be a lot closer than the numbers 'touted' by this machine when new.
if it were me, I would look for an old Hardinge HNC or CHNC or HLV-H that has been or can be retrofitted with a new control.
now you will have something of reasonable size and good accuracy - and a small turret so that you have 6-8 tools to work with...which is really important. (EXCEPT with the HLV-H where you would need a QCTP)
just an example -> not a plug for centroid -> but they do make a good control system and I would have no hesitation toward getting one.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/hardinge_chnc.htm
if it were me, I would look for an old Hardinge HNC or CHNC or HLV-H that has been or can be retrofitted with a new control.
now you will have something of reasonable size and good accuracy - and a small turret so that you have 6-8 tools to work with...which is really important. (EXCEPT with the HLV-H where you would need a QCTP)
just an example -> not a plug for centroid -> but they do make a good control system and I would have no hesitation toward getting one.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/hardinge_chnc.htm
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Re: Looking for CNC lathe recommendations
And you are close enough that I can help you with Centroid.
Jim B
Jim B