Researching a setup but have a question

Hello Everyone
Ive been thinking about getting a lathe for a little while now, so all the info in this area is very helpful.

Ive been looking at the more expensive machines as well as the least expensive machines to try and figure which route I should take considering the investment. I havent really dug too deep to try and get the best deal yet. I am basiclly trying to compare setup to setup.
I took a look at the sherline site today. i am trying to get a lathe that I can set up with the milling attachments as well. This is what I came up with
4000/4100c 3.5 x 8 lathe package
3050/3053 vertical mill column
3700 rotary table
Some of the guys in here can give me some insight if this is the right combination...

ive been trying to put together the same setup from harbor freight but I cant seem to find the milling attachment for the 7x10 mini lathe. I was pretty sure I saw one before but maybe I am mistaken. I have a list of parts to go with the harbor frieght lathe already but its pretty long cause i dont think they sell everyhting in a package.

I guess what I am asking is can the harbor frieght unit be used as a mill like the sherline?
If so, could someone help me with a part number and any essential accessories to make it work.

Thanks for asking in a new thread. :thumbsup:

The Sherline lathe, milling column, and rotary table is a terrific way to start. You will need a handfull of additional milling accessories, such as some end mills, end mill holders/collets, a milling vise and milling parallels. (That should do it- with these you can make your own flycutter or holddown clamps.)

Can't say much about converting a Harbour Freight lathe into a mill. But can you post some pics of or a link to the lathe(s) you're considering?

here is the lathe
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93212
i found the mill attachment
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1681&category=1
and the rotary table
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47825

even though i would be learning as i go, i would like to be able to have the whole setup, or most of it anyway...

thanks for the accessories MPWR

I have a laundry list of stuff for the harbor freight setup that will get added into the final price...

It looks like the milling attachment is what is called a 'vertical milling table', as opposed to a 'milling column'. It does add some Z-axis capability to a lathe (like a milling column). However, my understanding (for what it's worth, having never used one) is that it is a rather limited setup and not nearly as flexible (usefulness-wise) as a milling column. For instance, I'm really not sure at all that it would be compatible with the rotary table.

There also isn't much 'room for growth'. If it's not sufficient for your uses, the next step up would almost definitely be to buy a new separate mill. With the Sherline setup, if you don't have the space for what you need using your lathe as a mill, all you have to buy to step up is an XY milling base. The milling column will transfer directly to the new milling base, and suddenly you have to separate machines (albeit sharing one motor/spindle assembly). If sharing the motor/spindle becomes too limiting, you can buy another of them, too- and then you do have an entirely separate lathe and mill. It turns out that buying a Sherline mill in steps like this (column, base, and motor) really costs only marginally more than buying the whole machine outright.

Not that I'm trying to sell you on Sherline gear, but it does offer a nice amount of growth flexibility.


even though i would be learning as i go, i would like to be able to have the whole setup, or most of it anyway...


I can definitely recommend this approach. I bought my lathe a year or so before I purchased milling accessories for it. Used it almost none at all :disappoin - and I rather lamented for a while buying this expensive and space consuming bench ornament. It was vastly more useful with the milling accessories, and my use of it all easily tripled again when I got the rotary table.

Thanks for the info MPWR. This is the type of stuff I am trying to find out from current owners.


Used it almost none at all :disappoin - and I rather lamented for a while buying this expensive and space consuming bench ornament. It was vastly more useful with the milling accessories, and my use of it all easily tripled again when I got the rotary table.

Yep. Thats exactly what I am trying to avoid. Since it will be a significant investment regardless of which route I go, I would hate to not have what I need and then just loose interest and just have a expensive piece of metal just sitting around in the shop.



I would like to get some input from the guys who own the Chinese setups also....

I'll jump in then!:grinyes:

I'm not sure of the price differential of Sherline v Chinese gear in America. In the UK (even with the weak dollar) it's a not brainer on price. I'd have thought you could get a Chinese lathe and a Sieg X2 mini-mill and still have enough change against the Sherline price to buy some extra toys for them too? The only drawback is space as the two machines take up a fair amount of workbench real estate. The plus side (without going into the old Chinese v Sherline QC debate) is that you'll have two hefty machines that can be used independantly (so you can leave leave work set up in each) and they will handle far more than any job you'll ever throw at them.

I looked at the vertical slde idea for my lathe and abandoned it, mainly because I thought I'd be too limited (as MPWR suggested) and I don't like the idea of something that heavy hanging of the lathe saddle. From what I've read you have to re-adjust the gib strips to stop chatter because of it's weight - that means constant time consuming re-adjustments when swopping back to lathe use and I don't think it would do the lathe/saddleways and screws much good either.:nono:

I've just gone for a Sieg X2 to compliment my lathe.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44991

I've gone for what I think is the cheapest way I could to get the versatility that I need. I've choosen a 4" rotary tilting table - the Sieg X2 does tilt but it's an arse to set up true afterwards, as it needs to be trammed, which again takes time - unless you permanently stick a lazer on the top of it and mark the ceiling spot! I've only gone for a few clamps but I'm getting a three jaw self centreing chuck to mount on the table because most of the things that I envisage milling will be round. I'm also going for a 4 jaw independant chuck for the table instead of getting a milling vise for clamping square items. By reversing the chuck jaws you can mount work at various heights negating needing parallels for a while too - that's my theory at least!

I'm cleaning, stripping and rebuilding it at the moment - will run a thread on it when the tools arrive.:popcorn:

Just a quick comment on your choice for the rotary table that you are looking at. This is a very large item weighing about 70 pounds and would be difficult to impossible to use with many of the Asian built milling machines. :banghead:

You need to pick the milling machine that you plan to buy before you pick the rotary table.:)

Best regards,

Larry

"and the rotary table
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47825

even though i would be learning as i go, i would like to be able to have the whole setup, or most of it anyway..."

Thanks for the input everyone. It is highly appreciated!!!!!