Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Lathe question

Not bottom of the barrel, but close.

I’ve got one and really like it.

Which similar/in-class lathe is better?

"Similar/in-class" meaning another Chinese lathe? I wouldn't know. But you're almost always better off buying a quality used lathe with tooling, for the same money (or less, by the time you buy the tooling). These Chinese lathes seem very appealing to beginners who have not yet taken the time to learn about lathes, and therefore fear the risk of assessing a used one. Taking comfort, instead, on the shiny "newness" of a cheaply made copy.

Checkout: http://www.lathes.co.uk/page21.html

What issues have you run into when using the PM1130V?

Good shootin' -Al

Radio silence, Al.

That was a rhetorical question, right? My current lathe is a Monarch 10EE. While not in the same category as a Precision Mathews, it gets me by. Weighs about 7 times what the PM weighs. Came with its own base.

Pal,
That's a beautiful piece of machinery! I'm sure our tastes are different as are our purposes. I doubt I could thread a muzzle with the action still attached using your lathe. That's why I'm interested in a lathe with a large(r) spundle bore and a short headstock.

Thanks. The spindle bore is 1-13/32" diameter, surely enough for that type of work.

one thing - get a brake pedal version if you can … or at least that’s what Mikey told me a few years back, not sure if he saw something bad or not…

But a Lathe will Kill you if you’re stupid about it… just like any other piece of heavy machinery.

Just something unsaid on the thread so far.

That Monarch is a wonderful looking piece of machinery with great reviews from everyone I've ever talked to who operated one. Is that a 24" model? Do you ever feel limited by the short bed work area?

I like it. It is 12-1/2" x 20". Because it has a large spindle bore I have never needed a longer bed. BTW it has 5 hp and operates on 230-volts single phase.

The PM lathes aren't Chinese built. They are Taiwanese which is supposedly much higher quality from what I've read elsewhere. I personally have a Smithy 14x40, and not one of the combo machines because those are trash. Mine has a 1.5" spindle bore and has done everything that I've asked of it.

Check again, you're not entirely right or wrong. Some PM machines are made in China and some are made in Taiwan. Words matter.

#1 and #2 rules of machining, whether a beginner or an old hack... Never allow anyone in your work area. And No loose long hair, loose clothing, jewelry of any kind (particularly rings), and keep your tools on the bench not on the machine. I worked at a shop way back in the 60's and the company had one of those bring your kids to work days. One old guy brought his Granddaughter (about 9 or 10 years old) had hair down to her waist. She got to wondering around and somehow her hair got caught in one of the machines work. The SWARF caught her hair and wrapped it around the running work and pulled her into the machine. Ripped her scalp all most completely off. I don't think places even do that any more. But brings up another rule, whenever possible grind or use a bit with a chip-breaker... and never wear gloves while machining either. May seem like fun to see who or how long a continuous string of SWARF you can make, but its a waste, hard on the bits, and dangerous.

Phil

Actually the number one rule of machining (and woodworking) is:

Thou shalt not touch spinning bits (blades, cutters, etc).

And always make sure the wrench is out of the chuck before powering it up.

This is unnecessary because rule #2 is:

Never leave the wrench in the chuck.

Precision is as Precision Does... the making of the Colchester lathes.





thought you all might be interested in the video.

Phil

Can not believe this 14 pager.. what a rabbit hole. Great read. Keep the pics coming guys. Work that these machines turn out is always interesting. Rifle or other.
My compliments to those who have the time and patience to keep the older iron in tip top shape