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nobbie48

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I, along with a friend, am looking for a mini lathe better than the Busy Bee, HF, PA ones. My BB one is ok for hobby stuff but still a PITA. My friend needs one on his service van and while I could go up a size to get better quality, he doesn't have that option.

I've lost the link to a discussion on how, while they all tend to look the same, some have better bearings, fittings etc.

Somewhere on this planet there will be a professional quality model, but it seems the low-end buyers have driven those ones underground.

Any thoughts or comments.
 
nobbie48 said:
I, along with a friend, am looking for a mini lathe better than the Busy Bee, HF, PA ones. My BB one is ok for hobby stuff but still a PITA. My friend needs one on his service van and while I could go up a size to get better quality, he doesn't have that option.

I've lost the link to a discussion on how, while they all tend to look the same, some have better bearings, fittings etc.

Somewhere on this planet there will be a professional quality model, but it seems the low-end buyers have driven those ones underground.

Any thoughts or comments.
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Fwiw, I know a guy that earned his living with (among other things) a busy bee lathe. He upgraded parts of it throughout the years and it was better than new when he sold it. What size is a mini lathe for you (7x12, 10x22, something else)? What are the issues with the busy bee that you are trying to improve upon? Rough budget? Rough max weight?

Hardringe toolroom lathe may give you the quality you want. Definitely not a homegamer price though (unless you are a dentist). Probably way too big and heavy for a service van.
 
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GreyGhost said:
Fwiw, I know a guy that earned his living with (among other things) a busy bee lathe. He upgraded parts of it throughout the years and it was better than new when he sold it. What size is a mini lathe for you (7x12, 10x22, something else)? What are the issues with the busy bee that you are trying to improve upon? Rough budget? Rough max weight?

Hardringe toolroom lathe may give you the quality you want. Definitely not a homegamer price though (unless you are a dentist). Probably way too big and heavy for a service van.
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The cheapies go around a grand or a bit more. Buddy isn't afraid to expense tools and several times more wouldn't bother him. Obviously, he doesn't want a Cadillac Cimmaron equivalent of a Harbor Freight. Doesn't need CNC.

For me, I'd pay a bit more but want a bit more size and power.
 
Sioux lathe or small southbend would be a good choice , the Brit’s made the same lathe under about one hundred brands . Myford was a huge success . Facebook market has lots under a grand . Busy bee has better models and I would seriously consider a King Industrial , even new they are a value . I have the BusyBee hobby lathe , it’s the three inch dick of lathes


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crankcall said:
Sioux lathe or small southbend would be a good choice , the Brit’s made the same lathe under about one hundred brands . Myford was a huge success . Facebook market has lots under a grand . Busy bee has better models and I would seriously consider a King Industrial , even new they are a value . I have the BusyBee hobby lathe , it’s the three inch dick of lathes


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com
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I looked at a King this afternoon and it looked more polished than the others. Also 5.5 amps. About $1100 at KBC
 
Want to get in shape while machining? No noisy generator required either.

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