Hey, I looking around and trying to decent on what brand lathe to get here at work. I have a budget of about 7k ish. I was wondering what brands some of you guys run. The one I have now is a junk Jet, its very sloppy. If the new one had a DRO, that would be a bonus.

So any input from you guys would be a big help.

Thanks, Mike

 

not sure what size of machine you are looking for, but with 7k in hand, i would stick to looking for a used machine. a nice, late model clausing colchester would most likely fit the bill

a decent new import machine (advance ch-400x800) is going to run you 20k+

I would personally stay away from grizzly type stuff. (go find a colchester!)

 

I would like to find a used one, but the guy I'm ordering with insists on a new one. I have a old Hardinge available, that seems to be very tight and nice, but he "doesn't want to get someones garbage" so I'm back to looking for new. He found a "Turn pro" in MSC that looks okay but is probably junk. So I'm trying to find a decent new lathe.

Thanks, Mike

 

For 7K you need to either purchase a used clausing or similar or you can purchase a new Jet or similar. I have 2 clausing coldchesters and they are an awesome machine. They will also cut just any thread you could even need. Used to have a Leblond and it was ok but the clausings are much better and there 7.5 HP. Bought both used and no regrets. If your not running the lathe all day everyday then a jet or simlar will work fine. Victors are a really nice very durable import There was a guy that just listed some lathes in the NJ craigslist. I think is was north jersey section. He had 4 different machines listed and 1 was a Clausing coldchester.