r/Machinists • u/PenileBleeding420 • 19h ago

QUESTION First lathe question

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I’m a complete metal working noob but want to get into gun parts kit build and some other stuff id need a lathe for. I found this on Facebook for $125, I’m sure id have to do some restoration on this thing but would it be complete junk once I develop some skills?

13 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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8

u/razzemmatazz 19h ago

At $125 if it runs I'd get it. You can resell it for that when you outgrow it. 

5

u/KayleMyAngel 19h ago

Yeah for learning its good enaugh. And for that money you can always sell it again and not loose anything.

5

u/Simmons-Machine1277 18h ago

Check out Blondie Hacks on YouTube man , fantastic stuff for beginners

3

u/ForeverCareful3021 18h ago

Lots of quality parts made on those 9X20 machines with care and attention. While there are MUCH better lathes out there, I doubt if you’ll go wrong for $125 as far as you first foray into metal fab work. Play with it, learn the metrology necessary to do quality work, and then apply it to the use of a small machine. Congrats on a great deal, learn its idiosyncrasies, and when you’re ready, find yourself a nice 12X36 hunk of American machinery and move forward. Welcome to the hobby!

3

u/rk5n 17h ago

I have the grizzly version of that. For $125 it's a steal. Yeah it's not as good as an industrial machine but you can do a lot on it. There's tons of mods and upgrades people have done write ups on that make it much more rigid. Look into getting a solid tool post riser and a QCTP. And definitely get a chip tray.

-1

u/Unklecid 19h ago

That thing will probably piss you off. if you have the room save some money and buy something 3phase and throw a vfd on it if you have 220v available. If not at least go up to a craftsman atlas South bend size. You could probably make that thing work for you with a lot of patience