Buying mill/lathe tools.

[corknose]

i hate those things so in accurate. u push the tool post and cutts deeper.

[Sam-Q]

the Hercus or the chinese models? both?

[corknose]

i got no idea only used one and refuse to use again.

[Sam-Q]

ok did it look like the one pictured? because it shouldn't do that

[Tim.duncan]

4age 20v? im sure that will fix the speed range!

ever looked into a smithy lathe mill combo? aparently there pretty good for a home set up. i think you have to import them from the states which might cost though?

[Sam-Q]

hahahaha, don't know about those, the problem with things like that is they end up being two compramised bits of equipment instead of one decent one.

[takai]

What sort of money did you pay for the Hercus Sam?

I generally keep an eye out on eGay, but there isnt much available.

[Sam-Q]

$700, from there I bought a new single phase motor- $150 and a new cross slide nut for $75. I am going to buy a 160mm 4 jaw independant chuck for it as it came with a decent amount of bits including a 125mm 3 jaw and interestingly an original self centering 4 jaw which is uncommon to say the least.

Do a search for Lathe on ebay, select within 50km of your postcode and save your search. Patience really pays off here.

What is driving me nuts is I have some brass rod thats 20.6mm in diameter which I want to machine down, however my headstock is 20.3mm. I think I will reduce the diameter down to 20mm at my tafe so I can use it, either that or chop it into 250mm sections so I can grab it in my chuck.

[Sam-Q]

Just remembered I also bought some change gears for around $150. If you want to cut metric threads then it's probably not worth getting a Hercus as the the change gears you will need will cost too much unless they come with it.

[takai]

Yeah, these are the sort of prices i like. All the stuff over here is either the cheap Chinese stuff (C1/2/3) or $2k+