Unimat/Clisby/other

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Harbor freight has 2 small lathes with the features your looking for one is $200.00 and the better one is $369.00.
I have the $369.00 one and it works great for model parts, I don't think I would use it in a production enviorment though.

Hey 1337, In the price range your talking about Clisby is the closest I think you'll get. I've been told that if you ask, the Clisby family will build a longer lathe bed for you.

thanks woody and master

does the clisby use normal lathe bits?
how powerful is the moter/can i replace it with a 1 hp one
is it a 4 jaw chuck
is it cnc capable?

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1337 thanks woody and master 1)...does the clisby use normal lathe bits? 2)...how powerful is the moter/can i replace it with a 1 hp one 3)...is it a 4 jaw chuck 4)...is it cnc capable?

1)...Yes-3/16 is the tool post size.

2)...I turn styrene, PVC, and plexiglass and it works great for that. There was a Clisby Yahoo group and some of the guys turned brass, aluminum, and mild steel with theirs.
Some people replaced the DC motor with common sewing machine motors but I'm happy with the factory motor.

3)...Yes, and there is an optional three jaw chuck.

4)...Yes, There was a firm that sold a CNC package for the clisby lathe and one for the mill.

wow! i have (even) more questions now

1. can I buy one without a moter because I have a 1/3 horsepower one?
2. is the 4-jaw chuck the independent one or is it the kind that self centers? (hard to explain)
3. does the lathe come with the accessories (tool bits, drill chuck, that spiky thing that goes into the tailstock, etc?)

4. is there that diagonal cross slide thing?

5. does it run on 120/240 ac household current?

6. how long is the bed?

thanks woody and others who answer

QUOTE: Originally posted by 1337 wow! i have (even) more questions now 1. can I buy one without a moter because I have a 1/3 horsepower one? 2. is the 4-jaw chuck the independent one or is it the kind that self centers? (hard to explain) 3. does the lathe come with the accessories (tool bits, drill chuck, that spiky thing that goes into the tailstock, etc?) 4. is there that diagonal cross slide thing? 5. does it run on 120/240 ac household current? 6. how long is the bed? thanks woody and others who answer

1)...I don't think they sell them without motors.

2)...The four jaw is independant.

3)...It comes with one tool bit and a dead center(the spiky thing). They sell an optional live center and a drill chuck.

4)...The toolpost is mounted on a standard style slide(X and Y axis).

5)...You have to provide a 12volt/2-4amp power supply. I use a common battery charger and it works fine.

6)...12" or 15", I have the 15". I've been told that if you ask they can make longer beds as they are an extruded T6 aluminum.

When I bought mine I communicated with Mr. Clisby's daughter who is incharge of lathe production. She was very helpful and emailed me when my order was delayed so I wouldn't be left guessing where my shipment was. I'm seriously considering buying their wood lathe to make tapered gun barrels or other free form designs. If I do I'll be checking to see if they'll make it about 22" long.

why not just buy the attachment?

I don't want to subject the tool post to the stress of regular wood and plastic turning, I'd like a longer bed for that purpose, it will let me work on two sperate projects(I'm thinking about turning pen bodies as well), and I love to buy tools! LOL
I just recently bought the vaiable speed drill press from Micro-Mark, an awesome little drill press. I highly recommend it.

how much is the wood lathe from clisby, how much is a 4 jaw chuck, and how much is the attachment for wood lathe---> metal lathe (if there is one)

The four jaw chuck comes with the lathe. Here is the Clisby site, all the prices are listed in AU an US currency. Look on the bottom of the wood lathe page and you'll find a link for a Clisby wood lathe made of oak. It is sold less a motor but sells for $70US! http://www.clisby.com.au/index.html

man, why do metal lathes have to be so much more expensive then wood lathes? is it because i hate woodworking? i would personally rather have a mill than a lathe, why i dont know

A wood lathe is a lot simplier machine with out a tool post (it has a tool rest) and the lead scews to operate the the tool post. The mill is a great machine to have. I bought the Combo1000 package and got my mill and lathe at the same time.

how good is the mill?

It seems like a quality machine. To tell the truth I've only used it once but it looks like it will do what I need it for. The finish and quality of these Clisby tools is very nice. They were ready to go as soon as I got them with the one exception of a vise for the mill. I'd advise ordering one with your mill if you get one.

i just saw a taig 4" metal lathe, minus the pulley's and moter. where can i get pulleys that fit? oh the price is only $142

From Taig.
Make sure your not buying a Taig lathe "kit". After you buy the motor, pully and tailstock you'll be into it for about $400 with the S/H.

!!! i think i will be fine with the clisby

I have had a taig lathe and a taig mill with most of the tooling for some time now and its been a blast. just what i need another hobby! yes it can get costly when you start to add up lathe or mill and all the needed tooling mikes, calipers ect. and there is a bit of a learning curve. but i have found a use for both my lathe and mill for just about every model i have put together, from truing up road wheels to turning barrels and milling flash surpressers i even make my own tools for modeling like photoech folding jig or a trax laying fixture. you are only limited to your own talent and imagination as to what you can do with these machines. as for what kind to get, each has there own need and budget but you do get what ya pay for! as for the taig. the nice thing is that the tooling will work for both lathe and mill so i only needed one set of tooling. also the web is full of info on this subject. and just a side note one night when our blower fan broke on the dryer i made a coller and had it up and running in notime i said to the the wife" now see , all this money spent on my modeling saved us a bunch" ......good luck