The $600 Mini Lathe - 4 Years later

G'day everyone,

It's been over 4 years since I bought the mini lathe. Personally, I didn't expect to have it this long or use it as much as I have. I have had a great time using it and I have made some great projects. Not just as a hobby, but projects to get me through university and a side job. And that is not including the many videos I have posted to this channel, of which I am very proud of.

Still though I get asked whether it is worth buying one. I made a review 2 years ago, but I have learned so much more about this lathe since then, and my opinions have shifted slightly. So as my final video, I thought it would be worth looking back on this lathe and see if they are still worth buying.

Lathe Sieg C3 7x14 mini lathe

#machining #minilathe #siegc3

Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Why not get a bigger lathe
5:11 - Quality Issues
7:49 - Adjustments and Upgrades
9:47 - A few more issues
12:23 - Why not buy a used lathe
13:20 - Final Thoughts

[russellwall]

I started out on a SIEG C3 7x14 a year ago. It was an excellent way to discover if this was a passing fancy or if I was seriously interested in machining. Well, I just took delivery on a Little Machine Shop 7550 Deluxe - basically a SIEG C4 with all the upgrades you’d end up doing. Having spent time learning the fundamentals on my C3, I have an immense appreciation for all the little (and several big) differences a C4 brings. I believe that if I started out with a C4, I would not have the appreciation for all the wonderful things like the rigidity of AXA compared to 0XA, having power cross feed, and so much more. These lathes are a wonderful way to get your feet wet in the amazing world of machining!

[andybelieves]

You've made that machine work for you and have probably learned quite a bit along the way, it's been very interesting watching you accomplish all of that, excellent job!

[peterspencer]

This is the most in-depth and objective mini lathe review I've come across.

I brought an old vintage lathe (I'm in UK) and it's been great but a very different beast to a new or modern lathe. The time it's needed to clean it up is significant, old machines pick up a lot of abrasive dirt and it's a labour of love to remove it all. I've also just recently picked up a vintage milling machine and I will say that an old vintage lathe will almost certainly be more useable out of the box than a second-hand mill, the cutting forces can be so much higher and more variable in the mill and slopiness in a mill is much worse than for a lathe.

I think that either new mini-lathe or old full-size lathe, both are somewhat of a project and we're paying less to compensate for the need for extra setup and care in use. If your priority is to explore the world of machining and you like the learning process, then cheap mini-lathe or vintage machine is a good choice; if you want an instantly useable machine to produce top quality for little effort, then the low-end or vintage is not the way for you. Either way, you could expect to get the same results within the same time/money equation by going either route.

For me, I love to discover and see for myself so I have really enjoyed getting the vintage machines and learning step by step.

[gofastwclass]

Excellent video about benefits and detriments of a mini lathe. I think you covered the topic well and shared solid information in a professional, concise and unbiased manner.

One thing you brought up about used equipment is location, I would like to expand on this a bit. I live in North America and people say to buy bigger used lathes or mills (I have one of each), but the reality is your proximity to current and former manufacturing centers dictates availability and price. Where I live most of the older manufacturing died long ago, so prices are high and availability is low. Four or five hours drive south or east and the prices drop as selection goes up exponentially. In these areas machines are available because places are upgrading equipment, machine resellers are in the area, or companies are closing their doors.

A second problem with used equipment (at least industrial equipment) is most of it is three phase. This isn't a problem as much as something to know, understand and factor into your time and materials budget when purchasing the equipment.

[huntz]

As an introductory level the cheap lathe is satisfactory, took me 2yrs to try n justify my purchase. Whilst they have some shortcomings, consider it trng, knowing what to look out for should you move onto a bigger & better m/c.

[douglashank]

In the description, you refer to this as your "final video".
Please say that you don't mean that in the absolute sense!!
If you do, then I will truly miss seeing your videos. Your ingenuity in making ever more extreme efforts to improve the little 7×14 have been very instructive to watch, and the always humble attitude in the way you make your presentations, and always end your videos by thanking us for watching, have put you in the top tier of my favorite channels.

If you truly are ending the channel, then know that YOU WILL BE MISSED! ...It's also a completely understandable decision. I've never tried to make a video but, based on comments from various YouTubers I've heard, producing videos - especially one per week like clockwork for years as you've been doing! - takes a tremendous amount of of time, work, and dedication. Life moves forward. Continuing to grow requires change, and there comes a time when one thing has to be set aside to make room for the next.
You mentioned "university", so presumably you're moving - or have moved - on to a regular job, and maybe toward starting a family. If you don't mind my saying so, I think your self-motivation and obvious work ethic would also serve you well if you decide to go into business for yourself.

THANK YOU for all of your hard work over the years. You and your lathe (and more recently, milling machine) projects have taught me a lot about machining.

On the other hand...
I hope you'll forgive me for hoping that you're moving up to a bigger lathe instead - maybe one that can make more use of that monster 3 HP motor!, and that you might continue to share at least some occasional videos with us.
I think I can speak for a lot of us viewers (though I certainly don't mean to pry into your personal life) by saying that we'd like to occasionally hear how things are going for you.

Last, whether you continue to make videos or not, please, please, please consider getting a bandsaw!! 😃
The single most painful thing about watching your videos has been watching you chew your way through a small mountain of metal with nothing more than a hacksaw. ...I can appreciate budget limitations and a willingness to work hard, but even watching the edited down versions makes my own arms hurt from half way around the world! LOL So go ahead and treat yourself to a bandsaw. You've earned it!! 😇 Even one of those little portabands like I have make short work of most any size stock that a hobyist is likely to use, and they don't take much room to store.

Cheers to you, and good fortune for your future! 🍻

[georgemichalopoulos]

Why do I sense a "goodbye and farewell" note in this? Are you upgrading? 🤔

[warbirdwf]

I have two of those little lathes sold by Harbor Freight in the USA. I use them daily restoring small distributor and fuel pump parts. For the price point, they do a very good job. I've broken a plastic gear in one once which was my fault. The only other issue I've had is with the electronic control board in the machines. Both machines will keep running slowly when you turn them off with the RPM knob. I just turn the switch off too.
I'd never used a lathe before buying one of these. I've learned a tremendous amount about lathe work on these lathes. It's very satisfying to use as your skill set improves. My personal opinion is these lathes are worth the money for what they can do.
When I bought these two lathes, my thought was if I can get 5 years out of them w/out any major expense to fix them, I'd be happy. This knowing it's a Chinese lathe made as inexpensively as possible. An electronics guy I know said he could fix the boards with better parts for not much $. When I have time and can shut them down, I'll ship the boards off to him to fix them.
If I was making bigger parts like this channel does, I'd get a bigger lathe like a 12" or 14". They cost $5k plus for a better Taiwan lathe but are worth it to make bigger parts and have more flexibility.

[steveflorey]

It's good to see an honest assessment of these machines. I always enjoy watching your work and look forward to the next episode.

[gbspikyfish]

I started with one of these little lathes, and did a number of upgrades (mostly from Steve Jordan's channel); mainly changing the compound slide for a solid block (like you've done) and adding a carriage lock (which wasn't present on mine). I've subsequently picked up a ~600kg Colchester Chipmaster which is obviously in a completely different league of power and quality. However, I still use the mini lathe for some small parts as it's convenient, quite capable, and frankly - a lot less likely to tear my arm off.

[anmafab]

I was waiting for the bombshell that you have bought a new (to you) larger capacity lathe!? The AL-250G might be a good option for you as it's still fairly transportable but it's a step up in capacity and firepower

[DH-xwjp]

I, like many others, hope "last video" refers to the last video of your mini lath and you are upgrading, not quiting.

If you are quiting youtube, then good luck on your future endevors (in fact, good luck anyway), but I hope you will keep your channel up and videos available, they are very informative.

[Andrew_Fernie]

I have a Clarke Metalworker, basically the same as yours which I bought used about 5 years ago for £275. I agree with everything you said. I now have a Myford Super 7 but I still wouldn't have anyone knock the mini lathe. Sure, it has it's shortcomings. Afterall, you can pick it up and carry it more easily than most drill presses, so you can't expect it to perform like a bigger machine. As you said a few improvements go a long way and there are tons of them on Youtube. Mine doesn't suffer the issue with the topslide dial as your does; the leadscrew is captive. The only thing that bugged me was the lack of power. It had a 500w motor but on larger diameters one is faced with only taking tiny cuts which can be very time consuming. It now has a brushless motor which fits neatly in the place of the original and the difference is amazing. Worth every penny, though motor and controller did cost more than I originally paid for thr lathe !

[tunegarage]

Thanks for your input on these machines. I am quite fortunate to own a 22 year old Toolmac 9x20 and it has a hardened bed. I enjoy watching all your content and I'm looking forward to whatever it is that you decide to upgrade to at a later stage.

[nefariousstylo]

A lathe like tha for my small bike projects could still keep beer flowing in the shop. It and the upgrades would pay for themselves and maybe even into a bigger lathe down the line. Thankfully my shop gives me free space for projects, awesome when you rent. But seeing how well you got along I'd have no worries if I needed to get something for myself

[hersch_tool]

I started out with a 10x30 Chinese machine. I now have a 15x72 Leblond. I paid around the same price for either machine. I always recommend people to look for a used machine, like a south bend 9, 10K, Logan, etc. If you're patient, you'll pay around the same price that you'll pay for one of these mini lathes, but you'll end up with a much more capable machine, and you'll usually get a bunch of tooling with it, again if you're patient. I've taken some very healthy cuts on some big pieces of stock in a south bend 9" lathe with back gears engaged. Your videos are SO good btw. You do a really good job with all of it.

[Horus]

It sounded like you are saying goodbye, I hope that is not the case as you have been one of very few machinists I have followed. If this is you moving on to a larger machine that will be excellent news as I am sure you will have some great projects and ideas to improve that also. Anyhow, I wish you well and hope to see another video soon.

[paul_domici]

I have one and love it! Bought mine in the late 90s and paid around $300 for it

[cooperised]

Here in the UK where model engineering is still a reasonably popular hobby, there's no shortage of old, "low mileage" machines around. Mine is from the late 1950s and lacks some of the modern bells and whistles, but is a nice size (10"x26") and is beautifully made and very rigid, and has very little wear, at least to the ways. I got it complete with a DRO for £800.

[algordon]

Thanks for another really helpful video.
I live in Perth and the dilemma about which lathe to buy is even worse here than in the eastern states because of a very limited second hand machinery market. Your video helps to break down the competing factors and will hopefully assist in making my immanent lathe purchase a little easier.