Anyone ever bought or considered buying a mini lathe and/or mill? If so what would be your recommendation and/or advice on these small machines? Thx.

 

I bought a used Bridgeport and a used 13" Southbend Lathe about 30 years ago. Both were reasonably priced. You can machine quite small parts on full size machines but not the reverse! As an example, I used both of them today to make 8 custom fasteners.

 

I don't think I can afford anything like a Bridgeport mill or Southbend lathe. I'm interested in something like the G4000 lathe and GO704 mill, bench type machines from grizzly. Anybody got any experience with these type machines or the like. Thx.

 

Precision. Mathews....

I use my mill all the time for drilling. Lathe doesn't get used that much, but when I need it, it's there!

Here's Mine:

 

I considered buying a mini-lathe some time ago...found lots of good videos on YouTube discussing the pros and cons of different models.

 

I looked up prices for the 2 Grizzly machines new. I have less than the cost of the 2 in my used Lathe and Bridgeport with a lot of tooling. The tooling can equal the cost of the base machine.

 

I wish I could find a nice Bridgeport and Southbend at a real good price, I mean ones' that wouldn't be their own project just to get 'em up and running, I'd buy 'em in a heart beat.
r

 

I have considered buying. After talking to friends that actually have them, it was suggested that I do not buy the all in one combo. To at least get a separate lathe and mill. Also, the mini machines work well within their limits. They are never going to be as rigid as an industrial machine. If you need to machine large parts you may not be satisfied with a mini. Also had recommendation of a square column mill over a round column.

I ended up buying a used 1958 Logan lathe. It has got me buy for years now but, I really need at least a 12 or 13 inch swing lathe by 48 inch. A large spindle bore would be nice as well. Still wish I had a mill. My Logan is only a 10 1/2" swing by 36. Pretty small spindle bore.

One of my buddies has a used old industrial 3 phase lathe with a converter and digital control. SOLID as a rock and exactly what I could use. He got it cheap. Most of his money went to the electrical conversion which wasn't really bad. Tooling is expensive if new. Lots of good used stuff out there.

My opinion is be honest about what you NEED the machine to do. I really need more than a mini lathe and mill. I'd use the mini machines for small stuff but, I know I'd be better off with a larger machine. You're going to get a lot of money tied up in tooling either way.

I see mini machines on CL pretty often with lots of tooling. Usually because the seller is going bigger. You can get a good deal this way if you know a mini machine will work out for you.

Just my opinion.

 

I appreciate all the replies and pretty much what I figured. Mini lathes and mills not as stout as the real mecoys,but they just might get what I want to do done. Now I just got to get my better half on board with it. Thx fellas.

 

Quality old US-made machines like that used to be common 20 yrs ago near big cities (especially Chicago), but it has been years since I've seen one around here. I settled for an old Atlas 10 x 36 lathe, regretted it almost immediately. But I sold it for a pretty profit.

 

I started to post Yesterday,then deleted it. did not want to offend.
I am a tool& diemaker/machinist. (68 years old here) I have 3 mills and 1 lathe in my barn, work for myself nowa days,
I am afraid this multi machine you speak of will only disapoint you.
as was said before, a small lathe and a small mill can be had for not much money,
if you wait for the next "slow down" even less money.
Good luck whatever you do.
Greg