Where can I buy a Lathe
- Thread starter catwork
- Start date
Dumb question, but have you asked around to see if there is a lathe in Rankin that you could access?
There is endless discussion about whether the Chinese imports as marketed by KBC Tools or Busy Bee (KBCTools.com, busybee.com) are good enough for this sort of work. Opinions vary from satisfactory to junk. Many recommend that a used American, European or Japanese machine, if in good condition, is a better buy. If you can find one. Buying an unknown used lathe is akin to buying a used car. The seller isn't likely going to tell you what is wrong, and you don't want to discover an expensive problem after you have shipped the thing to Rankin. I know of two serious smiths who use KBC "Grip" brand machines.
Does your sealift come from Montreal or Churchill? Seafreight origin might suggest where you should look. Is there still winter overland freighting from Churchill?
I'm in the market for a machine myself, and have yet to make a decision, although with my shop now usable, I'm ready to get a lathe moved in.
There is endless discussion about whether the Chinese imports as marketed by KBC Tools or Busy Bee (KBCTools.com, busybee.com) are good enough for this sort of work. Opinions vary from satisfactory to junk. Many recommend that a used American, European or Japanese machine, if in good condition, is a better buy. If you can find one. Buying an unknown used lathe is akin to buying a used car. The seller isn't likely going to tell you what is wrong, and you don't want to discover an expensive problem after you have shipped the thing to Rankin. I know of two serious smiths who use KBC "Grip" brand machines.
Does your sealift come from Montreal or Churchill? Seafreight origin might suggest where you should look. Is there still winter overland freighting from Churchill?
I'm in the market for a machine myself, and have yet to make a decision, although with my shop now usable, I'm ready to get a lathe moved in.
Used lathes
Yup, Tiriaq is correct when he said that a USA, Japan, German, Swiss. . .
made machine (if in good condition) is definitaly better quality.
Unless you are able to start the machine up to "listen & feel", a visual is all
you've got go go on.
I been around hundreds of machines in my time and for the most part,
a detailed 5 min. visual will give me a 90% correct indication of how
that particular machine is going to perform.
Check the main things like, (for a lathe) the bed and cross-slide ways.
How clean, unworn and unmarked are they?
How 'Smooth' do they glide? and I mean smooth!
when I bought machines for my business I was picky, but then again,
machining is my money maker, gunsmithing isn't.
Take your time, you'll be glad you did.
There are alot of "looks good from far, but far from good" 's out there.
My 2 cents, hope it helped.
....WW
Yup, Tiriaq is correct when he said that a USA, Japan, German, Swiss. . .
made machine (if in good condition) is definitaly better quality.
Unless you are able to start the machine up to "listen & feel", a visual is all
you've got go go on.
I been around hundreds of machines in my time and for the most part,
a detailed 5 min. visual will give me a 90% correct indication of how
that particular machine is going to perform.
Check the main things like, (for a lathe) the bed and cross-slide ways.
How clean, unworn and unmarked are they?
How 'Smooth' do they glide? and I mean smooth!
when I bought machines for my business I was picky, but then again,
machining is my money maker, gunsmithing isn't.
Take your time, you'll be glad you did.
There are alot of "looks good from far, but far from good" 's out there.
My 2 cents, hope it helped.
....WW
I have seen them at Crown Asset Disposal in Ottawa some years ago. You can register for their e-mail notification notices at:
http://crownassets.pwgsc.gc.ca/text/registration-new-e.cfm
where you can select the areas of interest including an area covering lathes. I don't know how often these might come up but you have nothing to lose.
I would also look at e-Bay Canada.
Good luck!
Duke1
http://crownassets.pwgsc.gc.ca/text/registration-new-e.cfm
where you can select the areas of interest including an area covering lathes. I don't know how often these might come up but you have nothing to lose.
I would also look at e-Bay Canada.
Good luck!
Duke1
