Gunsmith Lathe with DRO

[xr650rRider]

You can go to Machine DRO and order just about any DRO that meets your fancy. Put a 1uM magnetic read head on the crossslide and 5uM on carriage and I have a 5uM on my tailstock along with a Easson 12B display. It won't fix sloppy bearings or worn out ways but it will read accurately.

 

[DaveTooley]

I started the thead because I don't know about lathes and I've already been screwed once.

I want a DRO that will hold very small tolerance and the ways and tool holder and crosslide not flex. And something that is not sloppy on the controls.

I'm sure people with experience often don't remember a time when they didn't know anything.

What do you consider "small tolerance"?

 

[Carl S]

You can put a real good DRO on your lathe unless youre just wanting another. Once you learn all the quirks and downfalls of your machine you can use any old machine, it just takes time and lots of checks to figure out those quirks. Ive never had a dro on a lathe.

Never needed one.

 

[DaveTooley]

Only on my mill

 

[butchlambert]

I started the thead because I don't know about lathes and I've already been screwed once.

I want a DRO that will hold very small tolerance and the ways and tool holder and crosslide not flex. And something that is not sloppy on the controls.

I'm sure people with experience often don't remember a time when they didn't know anything.

Young feller, nothing meant toward you and I don't think that I quoted you. I just made a statement. I like my DRO on my 2 mills, but Trav a Dials are much better for me on my lathes. Much much easier to read than a bunch of flashing lights. I do have a DRO on one lathe because it came with it. I do have a digital scale that I will mount on my tailstock "one of these days".

 

[rgc54]

Id be looking toward a standard modern if i was buying. Made in the usa.
GMC and summit have decent stuff. You can get a gmc 1440 with dro on sale right now for 8 something

I have a 2006 13x x 40 standard modern.. can do 23" barrels thru the headstock

 

[butchlambert]

I have a 2006 13x x 40 standard modern.. can do 23" barrels thru the headstock

Take your chuck off and put a cathead in its place and you could do 20" or less barrel length.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a 2006 13x x 40 standard modern.. can do 23" barrels thru the headstock

Thats one of the best gunsmith lathes ever built. I dont like anything bigger than a 13”

 

[urbanrifleman]

I love my dro. In my opinion anyone who's running a manual lathe without a dro is missing out.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Young feller, nothing meant toward you and I don't think that I quoted you. I just made a statement. I like my DRO on my 2 mills, but Trav a Dials are much better for me on my lathes. Much much easier to read than a bunch of flashing lights. I do have a DRO on one lathe because it came with it. I do have a digital scale that I will mount on my tailstock "one of these days".

I didn't take anything personally. I certainly didn't mean anything personal toward you either. Just making conversation.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Thats one of the best gunsmith lathes ever built. I dont like anything bigger than a 13”

If you can find one fully equipped with a DRO for less than 25k I'll give it a look!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

How come no love for the South Bends from Grizzly?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

How come no love for the South Bends from Grizzly?

They share nothing in common with a south bend except the name

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you can find one fully equipped with a DRO for less than 25k I'll give it a look!!

@rgc54 may can sell you his. No reason those lathes should go for even half that including a brand new dro of your choice.

 

[urbanrifleman]

They share nothing in common with a south bend except the name

South Bends haven't been made in South bend in 40 years. They are premium Taiwanese lathes just like all the others we've been discussing.

 

[urbanrifleman]

@rgc54 may can sell you his. No reason those lathes should go for even half that including a brand new dro of your choice.

I guess there's no reason that a piece of plywood should cost $150 but it doesn't mean that they don't.

I was looking at brisket at the grocery store and it was $6 a pound.

 

[urbanrifleman]

@rgc54 may can sell you his. No reason those lathes should go for even half that including a brand new dro of your choice.

Might do me good to drive to Pensacola I could see my uncle. My baby cousin is one of the top disc golf pros in the country. She might even be home. I've never met her.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I guess there's no reason that a piece of plywood should cost $150 but it doesn't mean that they don't.

I was looking at brisket at the grocery store and it was $6 a pound.

Theres one on ebay in new york for less than $2900. Lever collet closer with it

 

[urbanrifleman]

Theres one on ebay in new york for less than $2900. Lever collet closer with itView attachment 1373545

That's great and all, but I have no way to support an old lathe. My old Logan is great, it would have been great if I could buy it brand new, but it needs lots of work done to it for precise work. It's just old and worn. That's great for some guys who love working on stuff. Like buying old cars.

I'm probably NOT going to buy used. Especially sight unseen.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I understand that. Theres an m300 on there for 5k as well. Most times those old lathes are better than a brand new one for precision.