Torn between a lathe or mill

haha dont i know it . Iv been building mods for a while now.

Heres some choices i got so far for lathes .

Bolton
Bolton Tools 9" x 19" Bench Top Metal Lathe with Quick Change Threading Gear Box | eBay

made by Real Bull- Everyone recommends this one,has a great motor and cheap. I havent heard one bad review on it. Its pretty much a better made version of the HF lathe.
7x14" Precision Mini Metal Lathe varible speed 2500RPM 550W 7 x 14 new | eBay

 

My vote is for a lathe. Everything I'm always looking for is tube related and threading

 

I actually have a mechanical tube mod coming soon . A friend is making them for me.It would be nice to make them myself.

I think im gonna go with the lathe and put the mill of for next time. Anyone know where i can get a good but cheap cnc lathe or conversion kit?

 

I would have suggested the lathe myself as well. You already got enough box mods, time for some tubes!

 

Here's one you can check out
Smithy - Small Shop Machine Tools | smithy.com

 

Lathe is a good way to go. Please let me know which one you get.

 

But I want a Model1911 mod. 2 hi mah batts and lots of room for electronic goodies. Just the grip area not the whole thing. A mill would have been perfect. I need to find a frame to cut up.
Am I crazy?

 

Glad you decided on the lathe. Any chance you will do a telescoping tube mod?

 

Im sure i will .

Lathe is all ordered.

I got this lathe below . Its a true 7x14" with a strong motor.Has a cool digital rpm display . Its made by Big Dog Machineshop and has the best reviews out of the mini-lathes.
7x14 Mini Lathe

I also ordered some nice things to go with it .
1 3" 4jaw independent jaws - This way i can make non rounded mods and work with square stock like pen turning blanks
2. littlemachineshop quick change tool post and holders
3. Live center
4. M2 tailstock chuck
5 A bunch of indexable turning bit
6 A set of boring bars and center drills.
7 Some dial indicators ( already have one but got another.
8 Diamond knurling tool
9 Internal thread cutter.
10 Also got some aluminum rod stock,acrylic rod stock and delrin rod stock to play with.

ANything else you can think of ? I held of on rests for now since im already spending too much and id mostly be working with small stuff. Measuring tools like micrometers,thread gauges,digital calipers i already have as well as some cheap HF turning bars reamers and a drill set. I would also like to convert it to CNC later on . Anyone know of any cheap but decent cnc kits?

 

I have a granite max 1324....Love the unit, and we can make about anything once I have time to personally do it I guess, and I can upgrade it to cnc whenever....Only downside is the amount of tools....shot the cost up to about 10K. But overall, its a nice lil' setup.

 

great choice. as you know,its alot like the h.f. model,but its "beefed up".stronger tailstock,among alot of other upgrades. pics when you get it,excited for you.

 

Exactly and to top it of its a true 14" where the HF is not.It think thats like 75% more work room then the HF 7x10.... Will do.

 

looks like a nice setup man cool
it would be nice to see more choices in delrin and ss drip tips too..

lawnman3...

 

Thanks . I probably wont do any real small stuff like drip tips til i have a cnc. Not worth turning each one by hand for the price.Contours arnt easy without a cnc.

 

Looks like a good one and with metal gears and tools too. Please post some pics when you get it. Look forward to seeing how you like and what you will make with it. I've been thinking about one of these for a long while. I have booked marked the one you are getting and look forward to seeing what you think of it. Very Cool STR8!

 

Will do. So far im in about 11-1200 bucks with the tooling and accessories. I already have some experience using a lathe so i should be up and running as soon as it gets here. Got a bunch of rod and tube stock in delrin,aluminum and 316and 304 stainless to play with. I may send me quick tool holder back however since i found a better one for a good price.

I also ordered a cross slide, some steppers and power supply to start building my own beefy cnc mill. Got a awesome deal on it but it will be a lot of work getting it built and trued up. Having both lathe and cnc mill i will able to do mostly everything.

 

So cool can't wait to see what you make with that set up and how you like the new tools!!!