Lathe revisited

[JamesnTN]

with the desire to buy my own lathe and one day do my own barrel work, I have come across these lathes and like all of your opinions on each I'm listing.

First is a LeBlonde 15-54 at 7250.00

Next is a Birmingham 14-40 at 2650.00

Next is a Clausing 13-40 at 3950.00

Next is a south Bend 13-32 at 4900.00 and it's been reconditioned.

Or a brand new Precison Matthews PM1340 with all the works for around 10k


http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM1340T.html

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Just make sure they have the threading gears, that you need. We bought one that had only 2 sets, (Misal KV 13), and didn't take long to get another that had all of them.

Would be nice if it had the spider on the opposite side, but you can make one if you can't find one.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That south bend 13 is about the only one i see there thatll chamber a 26" barrel thru the headstock. Some of those others wouldnt do a 35". If you plan on chambering between centers those big ones are fine. I use that exact 13" south bend for 99% of my work

 

[savagedasher]

That south bend 13 is about the only one i see there thatll chamber a 26" barrel thru the headstock. Some of those others wouldnt do a 35". If you plan on chambering between centers those big ones are fine. I use that exact 13" south bend for 99% of my work

26" is still more than I would want . Larry

 

[JamesnTN]

That south bend 13 is about the only one i see there thatll chamber a 26" barrel thru the headstock. Some of those others wouldnt do a 35". If you plan on chambering between centers those big ones are fine. I use that exact 13" south bend for 99% of my work

Dusty,

What's the spindle bore dia of the south bend you use?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

It can fit a 1.450 railgun barrel with ease. Not sure of the exact measurement

 

[JamesnTN]

It can fit a 1.450 railgun barrel with ease. Not sure of the exact measurement

Thanks that's all I needed to know.

 

[jkohler]

The birmingham looks just like my grizzly g0509g. I can do a 24" on it.

 

[tclaunch]

That LeBlonde looks very good to me. I`d see how wide the headstock is on that one.

 

[billlarson]

with the desire to buy my own lathe and one day do my own barrel work, I have come across these lathes and like all of your opinions on each I'm listing.

First is a LeBlonde 15-54 at 7250.00

Next is a Birmingham 14-40 at 2650.00

Next is a Clausing 13-40 at 3950.00

Next is a south Bend 13-32 at 4900.00 and it's been reconditioned.

Or a brand new Precison Matthews PM1340 with all the works for around 10k


http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM1340T.html

Thanks for any and all input.

Jim....I made a good living for 45 yrs. working with/working on mfg.machinery. Good machines and good guns are only as good as the operator.....I feel these machines are over priced by 50%...
Quality wise the Leblond is the best machine.Next I`d take the south bend ( for g.smithing )....
As far as wide headstocks there are ways around that.....
You`re not that far from Chicago.....used to be one of the mfg.diamonds of the world...... lotsa used machinery there.....check them out......auctions are the best buy.....next.... trade schools.....come with a dual axle trailer and lumber for a skid.... chains etc....send home email... I will send weekly list.....
bill larson

 

[Alex Wheeler]

LeBlond with a tru bore chuck

 

[Steelnecktie]

I would keep looking, I got a 1973 Sheldon at auction with tooling and 6 jaw buck chuck for $1500. Buddy bought Sheldon on Craigslist for $1250. Both are 13 1/8 X 54".
Save your money for tooling, that's the expensive part.

 

[missed]

Leblonde or the Clausing. We have the same Clausing at work and it's a great little machine. I want one for the shop at the house, but I'm saving up for the Romi C420.

 

[riflewoman]

IMO, THE precision Mathews, the Leblond, the Birmingham and the Clausing in that order. The South Bend isn't accurate enough nor is it as easy to work with as any of the others, so it is a non starter. I know this is for a hobby, but with a machine that will be as awkward to work with as a SB the temptation will be strong to "get on with it" and poor results will be obtained especially for a relative novice. The Leblond is a high production machine in its day and if it isn't worn out will be capable of good work. It also has more tooling which makes it attractive. The PM is new and that is attractive in itself.

But I'd avoid the South Bend.

 

[JamesnTN]

Thanks all for the input once again. I'm 99.9% positive I'm going to bite the bullet and get the PM, this is a brand new machine and I can get it equipped as I want it. I was also told I can't get the variable speed drive on the as they quit that option. The reason being folks are exchanging the 1phase 220 for a 3 phase 220 and using a VFD and actually I come out spending less money. The machine I'm wanting is 6 weeks out so hopefully in a coule months I should have a new lathe.

While on the subject, what fixtures and such will I need to begin doing my own barrel work? I know I'm going to need a spider attached to the back of the head stock, so where do I locate one and what else is required? I have all the measuring tools one can ask for. I'll be ordering lathe bits and threading tools soon and a grinder with carbide wheel to sharpen and shape my lathe tools.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a variable drive for sale when you get there. As far as your tooling youll have to make all that. Main reason most folks have 2 lathes as soon as you get a barrel dialed in you need something made real quick.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You may be able to get that same exact lathe cheaper as a jet or enco brand. It looks strangely similar.

 

[JamesnTN]

You may be able to get that same exact lathe cheaper as a jet or enco brand. It looks strangely similar.

I could be wrong but I think this particular brand lathe is one of its own. I'll do some doffing and see. I was recommended this by a member here who does his own work and shoots well in F class, and actually had a conversation today with him if had it to do over would he buy somethings else or stay with the PM and his reply was he's very happy with his choice and no regrets.

On my spider once I begin building one do I put the adjusting bolts inlign at 90* from each other or do I need to stagger two?

 

[Gabe22BR]

90--just like a 4 jaw chuck

 

[JamesnTN]

I know they will be 90 but I guess I worded it wrong. I've seen some rolling where the adjustment bolts were say 0 and 180 be like 1" from end of fixture and the two at 90 and 270 be say 2" from the end. That's what I meant by staggered