Testing A Cheap Chinese Mini Metal Lathe: Is It Worth It?!

I unbox, setup and troubleshoot an inexpensive Chinese mini metal lathe from Vevor. I cover the process of how to set gib screws, what is involved in assembling a hobby metal lathe, discuss if it's is worth buying as well as cover testing the accuracy of these Vevor hobby lathes. I also turn a nut and bolt from brass hex stock as a first project that you can do, with no experience at all! It can be daunting learning a new skill, however this shows just how easy it is to get into and give you the confidence to do so and open your home workshop up to a world of endless possibilities!

5% Off Discount Code: VV5A

TOOLS I USE:

Any links to products are likely to affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases with no additional costs to you.

00:00 Vevor Mini Metal Lathe
00:53 Unboxing a Chinese mini lathe
01:34 Overview of the mini lathe
02:01 Thread cutting on a metal lathe
03:20 How to set gib screws on a metal lathe
04:25 How to make a carriage lock
05:05 How accurate is a Chinese mini lathe?
06:05 How to make a nut and bolt on a metal lathe
09:15 Is it worth buying a Chinese mini lathe?

#chineselathe #hobbylathe #vevor #fabrication #machining #smallenginerepair #minimetallathe

[VintageEngineRepairs]

If this video helped you, please consider clicking on the THANKS button above to support my channel 🙌

[My_Gaming_Mind]

You should watch artisan makes videos on his mini lathe, he has a well documented series on which upgrades one should make to these mini lathes.

[beingthere]

Quite refreshing to see such a helpful and honest review. And thanks for your honesty regarding how you received this item. I have wanted to acquire a small lathe for years. Still not sure the need would justify the expense for me, but good to know that such items are available. Good job demonstrating something I have experienced with Chinese tools: usually they will do the job, but often require tweaking and modification to take them from junk to functionality.

[Ron-uqhg]

When thread cutting with a die. Remove the centre from the tail stock. Clamp the rod in the chuck. Move the tail stock to about 1” from the end of the rod and lock the tail stock. Place the die on the end of the shaft and wind the tail stock shaft out until it lightly holds the die against the shaft. This will give you the die square to the shaft. Turn the chuck by hand and the tail stock handle to hold the die square as it moves down the rod.

[WayneCook]

You need to do a part 2 and may be even part 3 on this lathe because there is a lot more to cover, I have had this same lathe now for over 4+ years and cannot really complain if you do the adjustments change the spindles bearings to angular contact bearings lap the bed in you will get many years of work out of the lathe, I have not changed the plastic gears at all after 4+ years they are still running well today and I use this lathe every day making parts from all types metals, if people are breaking these gears they are doing something wrong, also the other job I found needs doing is remove the motor pull it apart clean the chips out and they do fill up with a lot of chips, of Couse that is going to short the motor out, and then fit some fly screen or similar to the vents on each end, I have worked out this is why the motors burn out before the end of their life as many people have complained about a very simple fix. 👍👍

[LTVoyager]

Nice review. A little more detail on how you shimmed the unit would have been interesting.

[rtk]

Good video… I bought the same and after having to replace the low/high gear box gears finally purchased a set of metal gears. It’s a little noisy but has not failed me yet and the machine reliability is meeting my expectations.

[Grumpy-byui]

I've had one for a few years, with a few mods it's a handy part of my toolkit. Improving the gibs and upgrading the motor to a 600w brushless sewing machine motor, with the usual bearing mods have made it good even for little mild steel projects.

[rockharvey]

Good on Vevor to ask you for an honest review, not just a promotion.

[Bones]

Definitely a very good job you did reviewing this machine
It was what I was looking for and the right questions were answered
Thanks for sharing

[Alec]

I’ve had a bit of stuff from vevor and have been impressed with the value.
Especially the plasma cutters

[markpinther]

What a fantastic video. I have wanted a cheap metal lathe for so long, afraid of the unknown I guess.

[Abmotsad]

I made mounts for exhibit displays. I had the Harbor Freight version. Lasted for years and was perfectly adequate for my needs.

If you accept what these tiny, inexpensive machines are for, you won't be disappointed. If you're trying to machine a Saturn V rocket engine, you'll come up short.

[kaptein]

Had a machine like this at school. Only ever used it for drilling holes. After about a year you could see it was already starting to wear a little. But for the money you cant really complain. And they still keep their value

[bushratbeachbum]

Haha, i hadn't seen this video when I commented on a recent video about the myford for sale in the South West.
I hope you're enjoying it!
I look forward to seeing you do more with it.
Ill hopefully have my hercus9 set up before long.
I can't wait!! It's been packed away while I build a new shed from repurposed bits of tin and a golf simulator haha!!!
I just need to find a decent mill now!!

Happy turning to you!!

[AGEMilan]

Thanks. I am about to buy this thingy. I am glad you showed me what I am about to expect. Previously, I wondered how is it possible to get it cheap, yet working well.

[steveskouson]

I still remember my first lathe project. It
was a 7/16 14 bolt and nut. Single point.

1973, I was 15.

steve

[Moutz]

I would love to find out more about how you shimmed the headstock. I have the exact lathe and have been trying to solve the tapper issue for a year now.

[Big_Johns]

I've never used a lathe before Tom but your video was very interesting. The nut and bolt turned out really good. 👍

[spyseefan]

the guys in the old yoyoforums had a really good guide for buying/building a metal lathe. was around 350 iirc, but this was like 15 years ago.