I think you're right about the price of heavy 10's. I'm combing through all Craigslist in about an eight hour or less drive from here and not finding much. I was looking at a 13" South Bend but it seems high also. The clearing looks rough but that could just be dirt and dried lubricant with chipped paint.
New lathe due diligence.
- Thread starter Shrek
- Start date
Before you castigate the imported lathes, just remember that most of the "good old American iron" is OLD. Many of these machines haven't been made in decades. A lot of them are worn out particularly the ones made without hardened ways. Parts are unobtanium.
The new Asian lathes are generally easier to work with and do better and more accurate work than most of these older machines. Most modern machine shops don't buy these older machines because of this.
The new Asian lathes are generally easier to work with and do better and more accurate work than most of these older machines. Most modern machine shops don't buy these older machines because of this.
butchlambert
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I have a 6913 Clausing with the 14X48. 22" barrels are not a problem, but it takes a little work to be able to get there. I made a cathead that was as close on the chuck side as possible. On the left hand side I had to drill and tap the cast iron hub on the spindle to do it. I have done shorter barrels by screwing an adapter on the chamber end to allow the barrel to sit further into the spindle, but you need a long indicating rod.
The 5914 have some issues with the variable speed. Many users are converting them http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/47551-Clausing-5914-lathe-questions. . So does the 6319.
They look like (from pictures) seem to have 20 to 24 inch spindles.
They look like (from pictures) seem to have 20 to 24 inch spindles.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I really like mine. A friend that just passed away has a different model Clausing, but with the same hydraulic variable speed. He machined a sleeve for his little cylinder and put new rubber cups in it. It is about the same as rebuilding wheel cylinders on a car. 2 things I really like, variable speed and the clutch-brake handle. I wouldn't dare consider converting one, too nice as they are.
My Monarch 10EE is the cats meow, but the long headstock and 20" between centers makes it impractical to chamber barrels.
My Monarch 10EE is the cats meow, but the long headstock and 20" between centers makes it impractical to chamber barrels.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Dave, His whole shop and tooling will be sold I believe the first part of Feb.
I would just buy this http://precisionmatthews.com/PM1330-1340Lathe.html
Then spend all the money you have left over on more & more tooling.
Its not really the lathe that makes a great barrel, its the nut behind the wheels turning them and knowing how to setup up the operation correctly. I think you are over looking the import lathes. More smiths use them than you think. What i like about the import lathes in the 12x36 to 13x40 range is the shorter head stocks. Are you going to get dead nuts .0001" accuracy hell no but that's all about your setup and what tooling your using.
Then spend all the money you have left over on more & more tooling.
Its not really the lathe that makes a great barrel, its the nut behind the wheels turning them and knowing how to setup up the operation correctly. I think you are over looking the import lathes. More smiths use them than you think. What i like about the import lathes in the 12x36 to 13x40 range is the shorter head stocks. Are you going to get dead nuts .0001" accuracy hell no but that's all about your setup and what tooling your using.
Nardinis are GREAT lathes. One caution tho, they require a ROTARY phase converter be use of the two speed motor. I had one as my first lathe and it served me well.
I own a WM-56P Sheldon lathe. It is tool room quality lathe a 1973 model. Has the variable speed drive 3 phase, if you get the Sheldon, I have the guys number that was design engineer for 30 years. A wealth of info for anything you need to know about a Sheldon lathe, including where to get parts.
the Sheldon lathe's are nice pieces of equipment. Let us know how it turns out.
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