Recommended Small Lathes

[257Roberts]

Im looking for some insight on what folks are using for a small/mini benchtop lathe for cartridge case work?
Im talking stuff like turning down rims, neck turning, or just anything for making wildcat or obsolete brass.

Not looking to spend a ton of money, but I doubt a drill press has the required accuracy for precision brass work...

I have interest in chambering and installing my own barrels as well, but my assumption is that will take a much larger, nicer machine than brass prep.

Any and all suggestions or opinions appreciated...

 

[GenePoole]

I use the same lathe, South Bend 13, for cartridge work as well as chambering, etc. A good 5C collet system makes this a breeze.

 

[SST2500]

I use a Grizzly G0765 mini lathe for case work like neck turning. Its large enough to even turn muzzle brakes on if you have the right attachments for milling on it. Works great and you can get just about any accessories from the Little Machine Shop for it.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Hardinge DM59 second op lathes are easy to find and usually cheap with tooling.

 

[tobnpr]

I have interest in chambering and installing my own barrels as well, but my assumption is that will take a much larger, nicer machine than brass prep.

Assumption is correct. Either look for a machine capable of barrel work (which will of course suffice for brass), or get a Chinese 7" x 12" (color of your choice) that'll do your cartridge work for now, and then a larger machine if/when you decide to pursue the barrel work.

Any of the Chinese mini-lathes will perform your brass needs easily.

 

[BORGY76]

Hardinge DM59 second op lathes are easy to find and usually cheap with tooling.

I second this. Check out machine auctions. You can't find a nicer bench top unit.

 

[LVLAaron]

PM-1236 12"x36" Precision Lathe with Stand

PM-1236 Main Features D1-4 Camlock Spindle Mount for quick chuck changes Feed Rod Clutch is now standard, to allow Micro Carriage Stop use with feed, and extra safety safety margin in case of overloading Many Accessories Included as Standard, see list to compare with other lathes in this size...

www.precisionmatthews.com

 

[LVLAaron]

Clough42 on youtube has one of these: https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-10-x-22-benchtop-metal-lathe/g0602 and does pretty great projects with it. I don't think you'd be able to produce a great chamber with it though.

stefan gotteswinter said something like - Small lathes can be excellent, but you have to treat them like projects. They need a lot of tuning and fitting to make precision machines.

 

[JSH]

Look at little machine shop offerings. Other wise look at Precision Matthews for something mid size that is capable of chambering.
Get the CC out.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Get as big as you can to chamber barrels. You can turn necks in a 1440 but you cant chamber a barrel easily in a 9”. Youll wear yourself out trying to learn how to chamber on a benchtop lathe

 

[Intheshop]

Location?

Rattle some bushes/trees..... start asking around(welding supply joint,old school parts counters,community college,etc) for any retired machinists,or garage shop owners in your area. Go over and pick their brains on machines.

There's a better than not chance..... once you get a decent lathe,they start popping up with a much greater frequency. Can't really put it into words. But that's sorta what you're investing in when you start talking to guys with equipment..... "networking" is the term I think?

Good luck with your project. You WILL wonder how you got along without one.

 

[jdh47]

A little 9" Southbend or logan would do for a decent lathe but smaller gets you the Little Machine shop, Harbor Freight size lathes. Varmint Al's site has a good article on what you can do to one of those little mini lathes.