[scootermcrad]

I thought this might be interesting to some...
http://www.cartertools.com/
Could be cool for small stuff...

 

[GumbyChuck]

Small enough you can machine stuff in your closet.

Not big enough for most things.

Having run my own machine shop, whatever size lathe you get, thinking it will be big enough, won't be. There's always the next job just a little too big to fit your equipment without some creativity.

That being said, a 12x36 will do most motorcycle work, gunsmith work, etc. Good size for the serious home shop. Lots of work still gets done on 9" southbend lathes, too.

I've got an 11" Clausing in my shop that does everything I need nowadays.

 

[scootermcrad]

I agree. A while back I had been looking at lathes for a potential addition to my garage. I realized after looking that I could make a lot of things using a small lathe, but bigger would be a better investment. It's not like a person can just go out and buy a bigger bed for the lathe they already have... at least not cheap anyway!

That little thing in the link is almost closer to a jeweler's lathe.

Small enough you can machine stuff in your closet.

Not big enough for most things.

Having run my own machine shop, whatever size lathe you get, thinking it will be big enough, won't be. There's always the next job just a little too big to fit your equipment without some creativity.

That being said, a 12x36 will do most motorcycle work, gunsmith work, etc. Good size for the serious home shop. Lots of work still gets done on 9" southbend lathes, too.

I've got an 11" Clausing in my shop that does everything I need nowadays.

 

[cyclepartsmaniac]

Speaking of lathes, I would LOVE to find a taper attachment for my ol' Cincinnati Hydrashift! You guys know where I might get lucky and find one?

 

[Fredo]

cyclepartsmaniac: Look around on this forum they have a for sale and wanted section too. Also more knowledge then you'll ever need.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/

 

[scootermcrad]

Oh my god this is an old thread getting bumped up... HAHA! 3-years or something!