Lathe question from someone who has no clue...lol

[ELR LVR]

Here is a better view.
It is a great Radial Drill.View attachment 1714336

I saw some guy using one of these as a milling machine on you tube
because many companies were getting rid of them for near $500
---
Every machinist who ever used one fired up on that guy for using it as a Mill
because the bearings were not made to handle that kind of side load
The guy in the video had to keep re-iterating
"DUDE I got it for 500 bucks!!!, who cares!"

 

[tobnpr]

Its not a stout rigid machine, but barrel work, general gunsmith work...works perfectly.

I don't concur with the common opinion that one needs a two ton extremely rigid lathe for what we do.
I'm not trying to rip out huge chips with a .250 DOC, which is where rigidity matters. This is all minimal material removal, light cuts.
I don't think "rigidity" is nearly as important as "tighness". Minimal play in bearings, gibs is what I look for.
Flame suit on.

 

[LVLAaron]

I don't concur with the common opinion that one needs a two ton extremely rigid lathe for what we do.
I'm not trying to rip out huge chips with a .250 DOC, which is where rigidity matters. This is all minimal material removal, light cuts.
I don't think "rigidity" is nearly as important as "tighness". Minimal play in bearings, gibs is what I look for.
Flame suit on.

I would kind of argue a mid-weight / lower weight machine can be better for "what we do" a big heavy machine isn't going to "tell you" when your reamer is chattering as fast. There's a thread on here somewhere about a guy who was chambering a magnum, and the breech end looked like it was broached for a hex key!

 

[Fuj]

Whatever you do or get, placement should be well thought out. A good
solid concrete floor is a must. And don't straddle it over a relief cut or
expansion joint. if the concrete shift's, the lathe will twist.

 

[ELR LVR]

I don't concur with the common opinion that one needs a two ton extremely rigid lathe for what we do.
I'm not trying to rip out huge chips with a .250 DOC, which is where rigidity matters. This is all minimal material removal, light cuts.
I don't think "rigidity" is nearly as important as "tighness". Minimal play in bearings, gibs is what I look for.
Flame suit on.

I agree with this, since yeah we are taking light, clean, conservative cut
other than one aspect stepping up to a certain size machine will provide you
The more solid the cross slide/compound/ table the better
---
I have a 13x40 and sometimes if I get a little too happy with something, it will jerk the table such as maybe a parting operation or turning very tough stuff where it resists then suddenly bites in
---
we have to have a certain size machine to have a solid table
a 1/2 or 1 ton machine is fine

 

[Kiwishooter]

I don't concur with the common opinion that one needs a two ton extremely rigid lathe for what we do.
I'm not trying to rip out huge chips with a .250 DOC, which is where rigidity matters. This is all minimal material removal, light cuts.
I don't think "rigidity" is nearly as important as "tighness". Minimal play in bearings, gibs is what I look for.
Flame suit on.

Rigidity is key and "tightness" requires minimal play in gibs and bearings

If these things aren't tight and ridged then mass is your friend.