User:Tdhetrick/mini lathe

Mini Lathe is generally referred to as a metal cutting lathe with a 7 inch swing and a distance between centers ranging between 10 and 16 inches. These lathes are manufactured in china, and imported into the United States by various resellers.

The mini-lathe came on the market as early as 1993 from tool importers. The mini-lathe is now sold by various merchants including Grizzly Industrial, Harbor Freight Tools, Homier Mobile Merchants, Micro-Mark, Enco, and Wholesale Tool. Most all of the current versions are manufactured in China by Seige Industries

Significance
The mini-lathe came on the market at a time when many hobbyist were yearning for a cheap, small metal lathe for use in their personal hobbies. With the mini-lathe costing as little as $299 it was a excellent value. The availability of this inexpensive tool allowed hobbyist to expand their skills and scope of projects greatly.

Quality
Even though the lathes are made by the same manufacture the finish, quality and options can vary greatly. There are several website and online communities dedicated to operating and upgrading the 7x series mini-lathes.

Standard features
Cast iron bed, headstock, tailstock, and apron.

Variable speed spindle. 150 to 1500 RPM with the low range gear selected and 460 to 2900 RPM with the high range gear.

Leadscrew tumbler reverse, allows you to set the leadscrew into either forward, neutral, or reverse.
 * 1) 3 Morse taper in the head stock and a #2 Morse taper in the tailstock

Threading dial

3 inch 3 jaw chuck

Shortcomings
Due to the fact that it is such a small lathe and weighs in around 80lbs it does not have the rigidity of larger lathes. The quality of finish can vary greatly, but in general a good about of time must be spent adjusting and tuning the lathe to reduce chatter and improve accuracy.