Looking at a local ad:

http://classifieds.pennswoods.net/classifieds/viewad.cgi?adindex=612144

I don't need a lathe, but I want a small one. There have been many times where it would have been the right tool for the job and I wish I had one.

Since I haven't touched a lathe in 30 years I know I won't be doing any big projects.

Is it worth the $500 they are asking?


TIA.

If it's big enough to do what you want I'd say yah it's probably worth $500.00.

Do not pass go, go get it before someone beats you to it.

A 9x20..........that's a baby. But if you just need to do occasional small stuff, it'll be handy.

Bring a dial indicator with a magnetic base with you when you look at it. Check the slop of the carriage near the headstock and near the tailstock...this will give you an idea of bedway wear. To grind and redo the ways on a lathe that size will run you at least $2000.

There are two kinds of lathes out there in the home shop price range...old ass used american machines, and newer used import machines...both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Most of the old american lathes have hardened beds and are just better quality ..... beefier castings, more ridgid, and if in good shape, will produce far better machine work and reliability that some of the newer import machines...but there's one problem...they're all old, at least 30 or 40 years old...in my case, 70 years old, and most are just plain wore out. Parts availabilty on some of the older american machines is scarce, and when you can find the part, it'll be half what you paid for the machine..even for one little gear. I've got a 1940s clausing that's got a worn bed...the carrage or saddle has about .005" of slop near the chuck but is tight as hell near the tail stock...so it's not the most accurate.

The advantage of the newer import machines is that they're newer, and haven't seen as much use as the older ones, so they shouldn't have the same wear issues unless they were used in a production environment. Most of the import machines do not have hardened ways, so they'll wear faster than normal...especially if they're not cleaned and oiled on a regular basis.

there are yahoo groups for the 9x20 series lathes, as well as the 7x10, 7x12, and 7x14 import lathes. I know the 7xs are made by seig tool in china and there is a lot of information out there about them. Check out mini-lathe.com and go to littlemachineshop.com.

The guys who run littlemachineshop.com are very nice and knowledgable and cater to the smaller import 7x and 9x machines, and I'm sure they can answer any questions you have before you buy the machine. There are certain modifications that are more or less mandatory on these so that you can use them, but the machines still have their limitations, littlemachineshop can answer all of those questions for you, and probably make recommendations on what type of machine to get. A $500 dollar machine sounds cheap...until you realize that it's a $500 heap of shit that you can't trade for a 12 pack.

I have a Jet 9x20 lathe just like that and I use the thing all the damn time! I also have a 16" South Bend lathe too, but the smaller lathes are much more handy for making smaller parts and bushings on. Be prepared to upgrade it with a quick change toolpost, Variable speed motor, etc. There's a good yahoo group for them called the 9x20 lathe group. Has quite a large following really.

BUY IT!

Small lathes are like mopeds..... yea it might get you from A to B but it's not gonna do a burn out of pop a wheelie for sh!t.

As soon as you start using it, you'll want to turn everything from a drill bit to the kitchen sink... when the kitchen sink won't swing you'll need a bigger machine :)

1000 will buy some big iron if you shop around.

Buy it! I've got three nine inch South Bends in my machine shop. They are very handy and great learning machines.

Enco's great with replacement parts and of course, a lathe can replicate itself!

The advantage of the newer import machines is that they're newer, and haven't seen as much use as the older ones, so they shouldn't have the same wear issues unless they were used in a production environment. Most of the import machines do not have hardened ways, so they'll wear faster than normal...especially if they're not cleaned and oiled on a regular basis.

Most of the import machines also have the feel of a manual tranny on an OTR truck from 1950. The lead screw and feed screw levers require too much swing to engage, the wheels for "the three C's" are usually poorly balanced, and the QC gear box requires lots of finesse combined w a BFH to change feeds. Some of this can be addressed, but you're never gonna get a Kia to handle like a Beemer

Nonetheless, regarding the value of the machine, it wouldn't be hard for it to save you $500 in time, parts and frustration. There's always something you need to turn down just a little, or put in a shoulder, or enlarge a groove. And it's always 11pm on Sat nite. Even if the machine is sloppy it'll do basic link/bushing/sleeve stuff where tolerances just aren't that critical. Figure you'll be hard pressed to walk out of a machine shop at less than $75/pop, plus your time driving back and forth, and delays to your build.

If you're looking for a lathe and just want this one because it's cheap and close, it's the wrong choice. If you're not looking for a lathe but are fairly sure this one will be useful to you, it's the right choice.

A used small Chi-Com lathe in your shop is better than an empty space.

If you can see it run, the price is acceptable, you can move it and have space for it, buy it.

way too much money.

Nothing wrong with the brand. I have a 14X40 Enco that I paid 600 for with two chucks, four face plates, steady and follower rests and tons of tooling.
There are some smoking deals out there right now.

More info:

Just talked with the guy.

He bought it new about 10 years ago, and used it for musical instrument repair. He got out of that business and hasn't used it since. Even when he was using it it was for small items, no steel over 1/4" diameter.

I will be running down next weekend to see it/buy it.

As for screaming deals out there... agreed, if you are within 100 miles of a decent sized city and can run out, but here in the stick you really don't see much very often unless it has been beat to death.

Thanks all!

I've owned several 9" South Bends, and currently have a 9x54. These are great machines if used within their range. The problem with light machines like the little Enco is chatter. Even a solid cast 9" SB will have some chatter if you try to push it. An old machinist told me a long time ago..."you can do small work on a large machine, but you can't do large work on a small machine". eBay is full of any type of lathe, or lathe parts you will ever need. You can buy a large SB for the same money, or in some cases less than what a 9" will cost you. The main issue with a smaller lathe is the thru hole in the spindle. A 9" only has a 3/4" hole, which is why I up graded to the 54" bed. The main purpose of my lathe is chambering rifle barrels, and the 36" between centers, plus a steady rest does everything I need to do.

Your CL find sounds like a great starter lathe. Once you get it, and start playing with it, you'll be amazed at what you can make on it, and wonder how you ever got along without one.