Thread: The Harbor Freight Debate.

I know you are asking Geezer a question, but I have a suggestion related to your search for downsized shop tools. Just today, I came across a post on Craig's List for a jeweler's lathe.

https://fortwayne.craigslist.org/jwl...159511007.html

I have no experience with lathes, so these jeweler's lathes might not work for our hobby. But they are certainly a compact option!

Far too small for my intent. Want to turn some chess pieces. Doubt that would handle my intent. Seems like a good price though.

depends upon what you wish to accomplish. For something that small a metal lathe from them would work even though it is a a bit slow. 7x10 would do. with a good wood working chuck.
These are really small production machines in China.
7-inch-x-10-inch-precision-mini-lathe

The little vari speed wood lathe would do you well with a good chuck from another source:
8-inch-x-12-inch-bench-top-wood-lathe
Good chucks from a woodworkers supply house.
Good luck in your choices!
~Richard
PS. Remember these are ok but not the finest quality; but that doesn't stop them from serving a person well.

One of many sources for wood turning chucks, there re others and many prices for the same item.:
nova-g3-chuck-w-58-plain-insert-chucks

Originally Posted by Glock27

Far too small for my intent. Want to turn some chess pieces. Doubt that would handle my intent. Seems like a good price though.

I don't know... in the picture, it looks like it has a "bed" of around 8", but the tail stock is moved in close to the head stock by more than half. Again, take that with a grain of salt.

I noticed a post with a HF machine lathe for $500 plus. Far more than I would pay as I have noted other wood lath's for less. Its just do I really want to spend the money when there is the potential that I may not really use it. Right now I have pipe dreams wafting around in a mind that thinks the body can still perform as it once did but the body is in total rejection of the brains ideas. Facing the truth of circumstances is not easy. Thanks for all the input and help being provided. Recently I became engaged with Chess. I owned two sets, now I own seven. Why? Well I can answer that but not now. Then I returned to a past hobby and original degree area, Art and started restocking things I sold away. Geez. Dumb or what? How long will this last? This is a principle reason I have never mastered anything, I can't stay still with one thing before I am hopping off to something else.

I purchased their Chicago Pneumatic 1/2" drive impact and air ratchet set (2 tools, 1 box)about 10 years ago. I think it was about $40. I am an industrial mechanic/ millwright. I have used the crap out of both of these and have yet to have either fail.

i have the benchtop wood lathe for HF and am pleased with it. of course i haven't used any of the more expensive ones to compare it to,but it has made some nice brush handles for me.

Ktinch, I find that amazing. I have always been hesitant in purchasing any significant tool from them due t being chinese made. Guess I will have to modify my belief system with all these anecdotal testimonies.

tintin. Now that is what I have been considering is a bench top lath, just a small one to turn chess pieces

Originally Posted by Glock27

Ktinch, I find that amazing. I have always been hesitant in purchasing any significant tool from them due t being chinese made. Guess I will have to modify my belief system with all these anecdotal testimonies.

Chicago Pneumatics does make higher end tool, made in USA. Some costing several hundreds. I'm sure the HB cheap versions are China made but maybe they use similar construction across their entire line. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it right and have been in business since 1895.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Pneumatic