Harbor Freight 7x10 Mini Lathe

[NeverLift]

I just bought one last night. I didn't have time to open it wet. I've never used a lathe but have a number of small projects that I need one for. Has anyone used this one? I appreciate any tips, tricks or advise you have. Today i'll be stopping at a metal supply warehouse that has scrap bins of round stock cut off's of all materials and sizes. I want to make some Delrin swing arm bushings for my Tri-z. Where is the best place to order delrin from? Thanks Guys.

[just ben]

You can get drops on eBay cheap

[bkm]

Stick with plastic, aluminum, and brass. It doesn not like steel to much unles it is supported at both ends and quick change tool post is a must. I buy all my delrin from zoro tools here in Missouri they also sell on ebay.

The 3" chuck will only handle a piece of round stock with the inside jaws 1.32" or smaller. Anything else over that you have to use the outside jaws which can be a pain. Little Manchine Shop sells a 5" upgraded chuck for about $125.

If you're like me, you soon realize the the bed is only actually 8 inches not 10, and the length of stock and drill bits severly limits your capability. But that being said, they are fun and suprisingly accurate, but be careful dropping too much money on this lathe, because real ones like Southbend, Monarch, Logan's Etc, can be bought on craigslist for around a $1000. It doesn't take long to drop a grand on that little lathe and at the end of the day it's still very limited on what it can do.

[NeverLift]

Thanks for the input. I've been looking at Little Machine Shop and yeah i could see dropping another $500 easy on accessories. I will look at the quick change tool post as the first upgrade.

[NeverLift]

I just looked on Zoro's website. They list White, Brown and Dark Brown for colors no black. Does their dark brown look black?

[bkm]

Not sure. I always use white.

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[ironchop]

I just looked on Zoro's website. They list White, Brown and Dark Brown for colors no black. Does their dark brown look black?

Nope. Black delrin is straight black.

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[ironchop]

What size drop do you need?

PM me, NeverLift.

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[NEWDUCK]

Invest In a carbide turning tool. It costs more but will outlast any high speed steel tool.

[NeverLift]

Ironchop thanks for the offer but I found a local supplier that has drops.
Newduck. I bought a 6 pack of carbide bits with it.
I do need a parting bit still. Any recommendation's?

[NEWDUCK]

Iscar is in my top choice but not the cheapest. Id just hop onto ebay and find the cheapest part off tool set up you can. If you dont ever plan on doing steel, HSS part off tool is fine but if you can afford it Id still say go carbide with that also.
http://www.mscdirect.com/ Is a great site for tooling and material. So is

http://www.mcmaster.com/ And these guys are good for material also but sometimes the pricing is way off. http://www.onlinemetals.com/

[Dirtcrasher]

I use Speedymetals and Mcmaster for most materials and nuts/bolts/screws etc etc.

I bought the carbide bit holder for about 25$. Then a 10 pack of triangular inserts with 3 cutting edges. Most inexpensive carbide suks.

I have so much tooling it's ridiculous!!

My Logan lathe is on Craigslist right now. The Southbend Heavy 10 just made it useless....

[NeverLift]

This little thing is fun. I've got a lot to learn and a lot of tooling i need to buy. With the few bits I do have I was able to make a new end cap for my exhaust. I think it turned(no pun intended) out pretty well.

[jeswinehart]

Nice !
I also enjoy my harbor freight brand mini lathe. I mainly purchased for tecate flywheel work (works beautifully for that) and recently fashioned up some jigs to use in re folding the bezle crimps on Honda line tachs and speedo's in which the lathe makes a very sturdy + precise holding tool.

[Dirtcrasher]

Those mini lathes are perfect for making spacers, fender collets, turning down journals for a 1mm less seal etc etc.

They have limitations but for the cost, they're great to do most jobs on there. Your not gonna get an axle in there but it makes nice little parts.

I made some shroud spacers .010 less than the plastic thickness and as large of an O.D. as possible.

Thats where I really love a lathe; Be creative!!