question for metal workers

[wheredwhogo?]

Does anybody have any information about some sort of mini metal lathes? I am wanting to get my dad something like this for xmas, but dont really know where to start. He has built his hot rod and he tinkers in the garage hand making parts etc using metal grinders and such. He was talking about something called shopmate???? dont know..any help would be appreciated....

 

[Wifey]

Does anybody have any information about some sort of mini metal lathes? I am wanting to get my dad something like this for xmas, but dont really know where to start. He has built his hot rod and he tinkers in the garage hand making parts etc using metal grinders and such. He was talking about something called shopmate???? dont know..any help would be appreciated....

It appears shopmate is a brand name. Do you know what specific type of tool he uses most and how big are the parts he tinkers on?? :dontknow:

This lathe is on ebay, is this something like you are looking for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Lathe-Milli...167668539QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220167668539

 

[belgiumbarry]

i have one, never use it as i have a big lathe in the shop....ofcourse to heavy to ship

Now look good at a heavy , sturdy one ! i have seen some chinese junk on which you can do "all" but are so light , i don't think you can do some serious work on them.....

 

[Silverback]

The Shopmate is a multi-purpose type of machine. It does a little of everything, but nothing well.

Also every time you want to change the operation, say from a mill to lathe, you have to reset it up. Takes time and effort.

I have known people that have bought them and they all sell them and by individual pieces of equipment.

 

[lightninquick]

look at some of the auction houses,,,ive seen lathes go for 100 bucks,,,,,steel laths are going the way of the Doo Doo bird,,,,,most machineists use a key board better then a lath