Bench top Mini-Lathe

[FTRinTexas]

I am looking for a better way to neck turn my brass. Currently using a well-known manufacturer’s neck turner and an electric drill (won’t name the company – don’t what a start a p-ing contest).

Seriously looking into the bench top mini-lathe option. Which machine is worth spending the dollars with? Besides neck turning, would also like to make my own mantles. No barrel work would be done.

 

[Toolbreaker]

I am looking for a better way to neck turn my brass. Currently using a well-known manufacturer’s neck turner and an electric drill (won’t name the company – don’t what a start a p-ing contest).

Seriously looking into the bench top mini-lathe option. Which machine is worth spending the dollars with? Besides neck turning, would also like to make my own mantles. No barrel work would be done.

There are shortcomings to mini-lathes in general, but I'll defer that part to Google and mini-lathe.com. I have played with one of these before, but that is all I was doing...roughly playing with it's capabilities. I'm biased toward US & British iron, but for brass prep and general tinkering, I think one would work fine. I can't suggest a certain brand, but I would look for one in which parts were readily available. Electronics crap out, change gears will shear teeth or get lost, drive belts will break, ect. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the following link...

http://littlemachineshop.com/default.php

They carry parts and accessories for different brands of lathes. I would look close at their comparisons of different lathe brands. The only real suggestion I would offer is to bolt whichever lathe you decide on to a heavy, rigid platform. With any cutting tool, weight and rigidity are an asset. Hope this helps.

Jim

 

[ridgeway]

There are a few guys on here using a Harbor Freight lathe to do the neck turning that you want to do.

Pretty darn good deal when you add a 20% coupon. Its $499 on sale, add the 20% coupon and get it for $399.

Coupon code 12182601 ends Jan 31st.

 

[Scott Harris]

I'd suggest the 21st Century Lathe base, Tail Stock Assembly with Case Holder and Driver at $145. clamp this to the table and pair it up with a PMA turning tool, electric drill and you will be able to turn 200+ cases per hour without any problem. I have a full-sized lathe and tried turning cases on it....slow, and a pain in the arse. The 21st century lathe base is the ticket. Note, I am just recommending the base, not the turning tool or other bracket.

http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/17-338_Cal_Neck_Turning_Lat.php

 

[KT]

I'd suggest the 21st Century Lathe base, Tail Stock Assembly with Case Holder and Driver at $145. clamp this to the table and pair it up with a PMA turning tool, electric drill and you will be able to turn 200+ cases per hour without any problem. I have a full-sized lathe and tried turning cases on it....slow, and a pain in the arse. The 21st century lathe base is the ticket. Note, I am just recommending the base, not the turning tool or other bracket.

http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/17-338_Cal_Neck_Turning_Lat.php

This is what I use and I'm extremely happy with mine.

KT

 

[Dos XX]

Just curious, why are you guys using the PMA turner on the 21st Century lathe? Why not the 21st Century turner?

 

[nosualc]

I use one of the cheapo Chinese harbor freight lathes for turning brass. What I learned is that all the cheapo lathes are made in the same factory. Various importers slap their paint and labels on em, with a few different options, but fundamentally they are all the same.

As lathes go it's pretty small and pretty sloppy as machine equipment goes. However, for turning brass it is the cat's a$$. The precision in turning necks lies with the turning tool, not the lathe. Erik Cortina has a video somewhere on it.

Watch for deals from harbor freight and you can get one for less than $400 with free shipping (I paid 360, to my door). The added advantage is that you can return it to a local HF store if it's a dud.

-nosualc

 

[Scott Harris]

Just curious, why are you guys using the PMA turner on the 21st Century lathe? Why not the 21st Century turner?

The PMA holds it's adjustment very well. I like the carbide cutters PMA produces very much as well. Holding the turner in my hand versus attaching it to the mini-lathe just seems to work more efficiently for me.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

There are a few guys on here using a Harbor Freight lathe to do the neck turning that you want to do.

Pretty darn good deal when you add a 20% coupon. Its $499 on sale, add the 20% coupon and get it for $399.

Coupon code 12182601 ends Jan 31st.

^ this. You'll find more uses for it as well.

 

[jdh47]

You might go to varmintal.com web sight and see what he has done with his mini lathe.

Joe

 

[wapiti25]

I bought a UniMat in pieces to set up for neck turning but have not got it running yet. I'm still using my 13" lathe for neck turning.

 

[Gene66]

I just got my Harbor Freight 7x10 mini lathe . It works great for making Hornady Modified cases.It takes 5 minutes to drill, tap, and ream inside neck.

Gene