I am in the market for a small lathe.
I’ve narrowed it down to four lathes.
Please give me your opinion.
https://www.travers.com/index.asp
(do a search for order number 87-115-949)
OTMT 5 x 27.5” lathe, belt drive, ¾ hp
1.06” spindle bore, 115 to 1600 rpm
$1200 with accessories
http://www.wttool.com/p/3003-0005
Wholesale Tool 11 x 26” lathe, belt drive, 1hp
1.0” spindle bore, 150 to 2400 rpm
$1300 includes stand
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G9972Z
G9972Z 11 x 26” lathe, belt drive, 1 hp
1.0” spindle bore, 150 to 2400 rpm
$1434
http://www.wttool.com/p/3001-0005
Wholesale Tool 12 x 24” lathe, gear drive, 1 hp
1.375” spindle bore, 50 to 1200 rpm
$1800
I am using it for hobbies, making smaller parts like pistons, gas tubes, etc.
I’m not really going to be doing much barrel work. And if I do it will mostly be AR15 and Mini 14 barrels. They have a smaller breach diameter. I am assuming that I can run 1” diameter stock clear through the spindle on all of these.
The two 26” lathes are probably the same thing.
Travers and Wholesale Tool are local so I could pick it up and not pay shipping. The last one is a bit more money but has some advantages, gear drive and 1.375 spindle bore.
Thanks for your input!