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Posted by Brian A on Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 08:54:37 :
In Reply to: Anybody recommend a good metal lathe brand? posted by Doinco on Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 00:29:04 :
Just about any older American made lathe is a good machine. Take your pick of South Bend, Monarch, Clausing, Do-All, etc., they are all pretty good and parts are still available. There are also some excellent import brands but I would be careful about purchasing some of the newer asian lathes, some can be quite good, others have more limitations.
There are some wonderful websites out there for folks interested in machine work, such as: - http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/ - http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/index.php - http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/
You also need to decide what size machine is needed to accomplish your projects, how much space you have available, what kind of power do you have and what will it take to run the machine.
You also have to determine what your experience is and how much you want to devote to developing machining skills. Lathe operation is a skill which must be learned and acquired just like any other skill and a good lathe hand is a rare breed indeed.