Cheap build-a-tool things?

mew905

mew905

New Member
I've been looking for a lathe for a long time and I decided to type "Lathe" into aliexpress. And I stumbled across some weird build-a-tool things. They're so strange, you get a set of rails, a motor, and various other things, and you put together bench tools ranging from lathes, to drill presses, to grinders, and even MILLS.

My question is... what are peoples thoughts on this? They're only rated for soft metal at most (I'd say our aluminum is pretty darn soft), but they should do the job I would think.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DIY-...6-in-1-For-Wood-and-Soft-Metal/752665418.html
 
I think that machine may be smaller than you think. It has many plastic parts and a low voltage DC motor. The whole thing weighs 12 pounds shipped. By comparison Harbor Freight's "cheap" milling machine weighs 138 pounds.
 
yeah, It says the 3D clamping area is 25mm to 37mm, not nearly large enough for a cylinder, but they do have larger ones for a bit more, I just didn't bother looking for it because there's dozens like it. I dont plan on making any billet parts or anything like that, I just plan on using it to modify the existing kit parts. The tools are tiny, and underpowered, but the HT engine is pretty small too, and rather soft metal ;)
 
I know this is an old thread but such a great thought, Mew.

A DIY mill or lathe is not all that hard to do and can build one to your size and power needs. Can even do a CNC but that is way beyond me.

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...7&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=diy milling machine

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...nUS587US587&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=diy+lathe

I have 3-in-one machine I got on special for $800 and it is great but wish I had known how easy and cheaper it would have been to DIYit.

Cool thing I learned in school (for this stuff) 40 threads per inch = .025 of an inch. But you could easily figure out graduations with whatever thread count you use to move holders/tables. Or, use a cross slide vise for milling. https://www.google.com/search?q=cro...v&sa=X&ei=6MUIVPPBH635igLyl4HICQ&ved=0CEsQsAQ


Really could do some cool stuff for very little.

A guy looked at my mill/lathe and said "the only machine in the world that can make another" Meaning with a mill and a lathe, you can make a mill and a lathe. I just thought that was profound. And purty dang cool.
 
http://morgandemers.com/photos/lathe-project-photo-album/
hope you have a smelting furnace and know how to sand cast.
If you do not know what way scraping is you will when it is completed.
But Dan says it is easy so it must be right?
in the end you wind up with a machine that is not as accurate as the cheapest from horrible fright ... chatters on anything softer then butter.. if anything breaks you basicly have to recast and machine that part as none are available for it.

Now if you want to build one just to learn more about machining and casting this is the way to go but after you add up all the hours and everything else needed and the scrap to make it how much are you really going to save?

All this is only possible if you live out in the country or own your home as having a foundry would be frowned on in a complex
 
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