Tool Size

[waznyf]

Hey everyone,

Although I have access to a friends shop, I am still in the market to obtain my own power tools.

I am curious as to whether or not there is a particular size lathe and band saw that most pipe makers use.
I would assume that a smaller lathe is okay but I am not entirely sure.
Figured at least 12" band saw?

Thank you everyone.

Oh, one last question. Where is a good place to purchase ebonite rods? I've seen a few businesses mentioned in a few threads but one was a foreign site and the other link wouldn't open in my browser.

Regards,
Frank


"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

[Ocelot55]

Seems like a 9X20 lathe is about the minimum you can get away with if you plan on turning stummels, although you could certainly do stem work with a smaller lathe.

You'll also want to consider whether you want a metal or a wood lathe. Do some poking around on the forum if you're curious about the pros and cons with each.

Pipe Maker's Emporium is a pretty good place to by ebonite, not the only source, but very easy to do business with.

[waznyf]

Alright I will poke around some more.
Any good brands for lathes that you know of?

Currently I am looking at these two metal lathes:

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/tls/3313649431.html

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/tls/3252559760.html

http://nmi.craigslist.org/for/3275919894.html

Let me know what you might think of these lathes. Thank you.

Regards,
Frank

[Ocelot55]

You're on the right track. I know absolutely jack crap about lathes, but there are a lot of guys on here that are very familiar with them. Hopefully they'll see this and chime in. Sorry, I really can't help you out too much on that one.

[waznyf]

Thank you for helping me as best you can.
I hope that some other members hop in on this thread and comment as well.


Regards,
Frank

[waznyf]

One last lathe to consider!
Seems small but it looks like a great deal!

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/3375648997.html

Regards,
Frank


"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

[Tyler]

One last lathe to consider!
Seems small but it looks like a great deal!

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/3375648997.html

Regards,
Frank


"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

Ignore this one.

[Tyler]

Alright I will poke around some more.
Any good brands for lathes that you know of?

Currently I am looking at these two metal lathes:

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/tls/3313649431.html

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/tls/3252559760.html

http://nmi.craigslist.org/for/3275919894.html

Let me know what you might think of these lathes. Thank you.

Regards,
Frank

No way to really evaluate them without more info and pictures, and even then without being there it is hard to be sure of much.

From the pictures I'd say the order you listed them in is the order of desirability, barring any major issues with one of them.

[waznyf]

Thank you Tyler. I would visit each one but they are all a good distance away from me.
Guess I will visit the first link and than maybe this Logan lathe. From reading earlier threads, it seems that Logan lathes are very good.

http://flint.craigslist.org/tls/3320913912.html

Regards,
Frank

[Tyler]

Thank you Tyler. I would visit each one but they are all a good distance away from me.
Guess I will visit the first link and than maybe this Logan lathe. From reading earlier threads, it seems that Logan lathes are very good.

http://flint.craigslist.org/tls/3320913912.html

Regards,
Frank

Logan is definitely a great name in lathes, and that one would suit nicely if in good order.

[waznyf]

Just purchased this lathe!
Can't wait to get it home. Hopefully next week!

Logan Metal Lathe Model 820






"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

[Tyler]

Just purchased this lathe!
Can't wait to get it home. Hopefully next week!

Logan Metal Lathe Model 820






"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

Nice!

[The Smoking Yeti]

Welcome to the rabbit hole. You'll be staying a while.

[oklahoma red]

That is a pretty decent looking Logan. I'm about 2/3 of the way thru refurbishing the one I bought.
The care given to these lathes during their life will be all over the map. They are not too difficult to take apart. Almost all of the wear parts on Logans can be replaced with new pieces via www.lathe.com. I would suggest a thorough inspection and tear-down and cleaning if deemed necessary.
I've pulled the spindle on mine and that afforded the opportunity to go back with a continuous, flat serpentine drive belt.
There are several others on this forum that have Logans. If you have problems I'm sure help can be found. There is also a Yahoo group for Logans.
Chas.

[Alden]

Congrats Frank ! Good luck.