A desktop one is a good model for a home, garage or small workshop, because the functionality of such a device allows it to be used effectively to perform a large list of technological operations. In fact, this is a miniature copy of the factory model, differing from it only in slightly limited technical capabilities.

Features and benefits of tabletop machines

A mini lathe, which is logical, is specially designed to process small-sized products. As with any turning equipment, a small machine can perform various technological operations on metal: turning cylindrical and conical parts, trimming their ends, grinding, drilling, reaming holes, cutting external and internal threads, etc.

Despite the fact that processing on such units is carried out at a much lower speed than on full-size devices, the quality of the finished products does not suffer at all from this. Their quality will be especially high if the mini-lathe is controlled by a CNC system.

Small models for metal, which are very easy to operate, are used not only to equip home workshops, where with their help it becomes possible to produce many products or bring the quality of finished ones to the required level. Small workshops and vehicle repair shops are no less successfully equipped with such units. Since the times of the USSR, schools and technical educational institutions have been equipped with similar machines, where with their help young people were taught the basics of the turner profession.

Among the advantages that a small-sized lathe has, the most significant are:

• use of a household electrical network with a voltage of 220 V to power such a machine;
• the ability to adapt such a device in order to connect it to a three-phase network;
• low power consumption;
• reliability, which allows such a micro-lathe to be successfully operated, subject to proper maintenance, for decades;
• affordable cost (many people can afford to purchase such equipment);
• compact dimensions and light weight, which makes it possible to install it even in a cramped workshop or garage;
• the opportunity to learn how to operate such a device in a short period of time, while the operation and maintenance of the machine will not cause any particular difficulties even for a novice turner.

Among desktop lathes there is a category of extremely compact models, which are commonly called mini-machines. The video below provides an overview of one of these portable machines.

An important advantage of such equipment is that it can be additionally equipped with various devices, which makes it possible to effectively use tools for milling and complex drilling of workpieces. With the help of such a simple modification, you now have at your disposal a desktop device, that is, universal equipment characterized by wide functionality.

Any desktop lathe, regardless of the model, can be characterized by several basic parameters. These include:

• the mass of the device, which is measured in kilograms;
• power, measured in kilowatts;
• speed, expressed as the number of revolutions per unit of time at which its spindle rotates;
• height of the centers (expressed in millimeters);
• the maximum length and diameter of the workpiece (in mm) that can be processed on such a unit;
• the number of speeds that the device drive can provide (as a rule, a tabletop lathe has no more than six such speeds);
• the diameter of the hole in the spindle assembly (measured in millimeters).

One of the representatives of compact tabletop machines

Lathe units, which are classified as small, can have a mass from 40 to 280 kg; accordingly, their overall dimensions also vary. To equip a home workshop, it is recommended to choose devices with a minimum weight: up to 50 kg, which are convenient to install and can even be carried if the need arises. Heavier equipment, even if it is desktop, already falls into the category of semi-professional.

The power of small lathes usually does not exceed 2.25 kW. Some types of machines for the home, classified as low-power, are equipped with a drive whose power is 0.15 kW. Paying attention to this parameter of the machine, you should decide in advance for processing parts from what materials and with what dimensions you are going to use it. It is important to do this not only in order to initially select a household machine of the required power, but also in order not to overpay extra money for a unit that will not be used to its full potential.

Even with small overall dimensions, a lathe for a garage or home workshop does not cease to be a complex technical device, the quality of its components directly determines the accuracy of processing, as well as the reliability and durability of the equipment. The build quality of such components, as well as the material from which they are made, is also of great importance. The last two parameters are especially important for the following structural elements of the turning unit:

• machine support, which is responsible for the reliability and accuracy of fastening the cutting tool, as well as for its movement during processing;
• bed - a supporting element on which all components and mechanisms of the machine are placed and fixed.

The metal from which these structural elements are made must be exceptionally durable and have a carefully polished surface. Only if these important conditions are met can you count on the fact that your household machine will last for many years without losing its original characteristics. When choosing a home turning device for metal work, you should also take into account the frequency of its use, which determines the wear rate of its components.

On the domestic market, tabletop lathes are presented in a wide range of models and brands. It is very easy to get confused with such a variety of options, so to help you make the right choice, we will look at some models of metal lathes from the most popular manufacturers.

JET brand machines

It is no coincidence that tabletop lathes, which have been produced by the Swiss company JET for more than 50 years, have gained enormous popularity among home craftsmen and owners of small businesses. Even though some of the components of these machines have recently been produced in Chinese factories, their quality remains impeccable. Providing high quality, precision and processing efficiency, these units do not cause problems during operation and are easy to maintain.

The most popular models of machines of this brand include the following.

BD-3 is a miniature machine that can be used equally successfully by both amateurs and professionals. The frame of such a device is made of cast iron, which significantly reduces vibration during its operation. The machine guides, which can be adjusted according to the transverse slide, are carefully polished, this ensures precise movement along them. The equipment is equipped with a low-power (0.15 kW) but very efficient motor, which reduces energy consumption. The spindle of such a miniature unit can rotate in the range of 100–3800 rpm. The manufacturer has even provided for the possibility of independent servicing of the equipment, for which the standard kit includes an additional tool holder and a three-jaw chuck with a working section of 50 mm.

JET BD-3 machine, costs from 42,000 rubles

BD-7 is a machine for home or small business, distinguished by a number of remarkable design features: a massive cast-iron frame that reduces vibration of the unit, two spindle speed ranges, the data of which is reflected on a digital indicator, and the spindle itself, equipped with roller-type bearings. This metal cutting machine is very reliable. The tailstock of this model can be adjusted, which makes it possible to use it for processing conical surfaces. Due to the presence of a reverse mechanism, the workpiece on such a unit can be fed in two directions. With such a device it will be possible to cut threads, since its spindle can rotate in different directions. Compared to the previous model, this machine has more power; it has a 0.37 kW electric motor.

JET BD-7 machine, costs about 80 thousand rubles

BD-8A is a table-top machine in which longitudinal and transverse feed are automated. This machine can be quickly rearranged and is also equipped with a reversible mechanism that allows it to be used for thread cutting. Four tools can be installed simultaneously in the unit holder, and its thrust center is made according to a non-rotating pattern. The three-jaw chuck of the machine with a working diameter of 100 mm is protected by a special screen, which increases operator safety. This machine is driven by an electric motor with a power of 0.55 kW.

JET BD-8A machine, price from 170,000 rubles

The JET company also produces more powerful machines, which are often purchased not for home use, but for equipping small workshops. Such equipment, in particular, includes BD-9G, BD-920W, BD-11W.

Equipment from other manufacturers

The products of the Czech company PROMA, which has been producing similar equipment for more than 20 years, have proven themselves to be excellent on the domestic market. Among the variety of lathes and screw-cutting lathes for home or small enterprises that this company produces, the following devices should be noted.

• The SM-250E is a true micro lathe, weighing only 23 kg. With its modest dimensions, such a unit boasts excellent technical characteristics. It is this machine that is best installed at home if you are going to perform metal turning work at an amateur level. What is important is that, due to the high reliability of its design, such a miniature machine practically does not require special maintenance throughout the entire warranty period.
• SK-400 is a universal unit whose weight is already 120 kg. This machine, with which you can perform a full range of metal turning and drilling workpieces, is mainly used to equip vehicle service stations.
• SPA-500 is a semi-professional model, which can often be found not only in small workshops, but also in repair shops of manufacturing enterprises.

PROMA SPA-500, cost about 130,000 rubles

A number of other models of machines produced under this brand are deservedly popular: SPA-500P, SK-550, SPB-400/400, SPA-700P.

Domestic lathes for metal work are also presented on the modern market; they can often be found in educational and home workshops. Using such devices, which are easy to operate and maintain, you can quickly learn the basics of the turning profession. Among the models of miniature lathes produced by domestic manufacturers, one can note TV-6, TV-9, TV-16.

In addition, to equip a home workshop or small business, you can pay attention to lathes from the following manufacturers.

• OPTIMUM is a German brand that produces lathes, including miniature ones, which are well known and appreciated by specialists throughout Europe. The most famous models of machines for metal work of this brand, on which a CNC system can be installed, are D140x250, D210x400, D250x550.
• Chinese company Weiss Machinery, which produces inexpensive but high-quality, reliable and functional turning equipment. The most popular models, which are known in many countries around the world, are: WM-180V, WM-250V, WM-250G, WMP-300A, ML-200.

Tabletop CNC machines

Any metal lathe controlled by a CNC system is capable of performing all the same technological operations as a manually controlled unit. But such a machine does it much faster and more accurately, and it is very important that the correctness of the processing process is not negatively influenced by the human factor, and this practically eliminates errors.

Due to control using a computer program, such machines quickly change tools, and the accuracy of all technological operations is constantly monitored. Carrying out high-quality processing, such machines operate almost independently, requiring minimal human intervention to control them, which has the best effect on the quality of work.

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IN In conditions of limited space for a home craftsman, the best option is for a garage in a basic or extended configuration. There are a lot of manufacturers and modifications of equipment on the modern market. Therefore, below are recommendations from experts on choosing a mini-machine for metal turning.

Selection criteria, types

A metal lathe for a garage can save both the operating budget of a car, a household plot, and time. The search for small things that are necessary for repairs and construction often takes several days. If you have the equipment, you can do all this yourself. The main selection criteria are:

• purchase budget – most often the basic equipment is purchased, additional functionality is purchased later, as needed; if you have sufficient funds, it is better to choose a multifunctional (universal) machine right away;
• Dimensions are approximately the same for most manufacturers;
• quality - it is not recommended to buy such equipment to order; there is no better method for purchasing than a visual inspection or trial run;

• desktop - minimal functionality, some models do not include a tailstock;

• school - various configurations, 2 step speeds with smooth adjustments inside each of them, reverse, weight within 200 kg;

• screw-cutting lathes - minimal spindle runout, high price;

It is very difficult to focus on the size of the workpieces that can be clamped in the jaws of the chuck and placed between the centers of the headstocks. The needs of each craftsman are different; from time to time it is necessary to process large parts or perform jewelry operations.

Specifications

A tabletop garage metal lathe most often has the following performance characteristics:

• power button - may be absent (for example, in the Corvette-2 model), rotation is activated by a rheostat that regulates the speed
• Dimensions – length 1.2 – 1.7 m, width 0.5 – 0.6 m
• weight – within 120 – 200 kg
• workpiece diameter – 10 – 20 cm above the bed or 5 – 15 cm above the support
• center-to-center size RMC – 20 – 50 cm
• drive power – 0.15 – 0.6 kW

Desktop option

For a metal lathe for a garage, 220 V asynchronous or commutator motors are used. The designs of speed control systems and transmission of torque to the caliper shafts differ significantly from different companies. In some modifications, the reverse is switched by a lever, in others, to obtain reverse rotation you have to flip the transmission belt.

Most lathes only cut metric and imperial threads in one direction. Of the domestic manufacturers, the most popular are “Home Master”, “Craftsman”, “Caliber”. All other products, regardless of the brand’s homeland, are manufactured in China - “Optimum”, “Corvette”, “JET”, “Proma”, “DIY”.

For example, the Enkor company produces turning and milling modifications of the Corvette 407, lathes Corvette 401 - 403. Automatic caliper feed is used only for thread cutting; processing and roughening is carried out manually. The chuck is equipped with straight and reverse jaws; parts can be clamped without a chuck in the centers. The smallest of them (Corvette 401) is equipped with a 0.5 kW electric drive, 2,500 rpm, and an electronic system that allows you to maintain the same speed under any load. A through hole in the spindle allows processing 20 cm of parts.

Tabletop device for metal Corvette 401

Optimum machines are equipped with 0.5 - 1.5 kW motors, the RMC reaches 40 - 70 cm, the height of the centers is 7 - 14 cm. The homeland of the brand is Germany, 95% of production is concentrated in China. A special feature of the equipment is an error of 0.025 mm and 0.01 mm (displacement, spindle runout, respectively).

Table-top metal screw-cutting lathe from Optimum

Weiss table lathes have the lowest possible vibration and sound pressure. The spindle rotates in roller bearings; after the rotation stops, the possibility of automatic reverse to displace the caliper remains. The tailstock has longitudinal movement with fixation of its position in space.

Universal lathe for the garage produced by Weiss

Related article:

. In the publication we will look at step-by-step instructions for making the machine with photos and videos, a review of finished models, and safety precautions when working on the machine.

When purchasing a metal lathe for your garage, you should pay attention to the following points:

• manufacturer - products of domestic companies are easier to use, since there are more service centers, spare parts, and consumables in the Russian Federation;
• transmission type - belt or gear (the input shaft is always driven by a V-belt);
• gear material is preferable to caprolon, which, unlike conventional plastics, does not crumble, but self-reinforces;
• the presence of roller bearings on the spindle – ensures high-precision processing;
• type of guides - the service life of the hardened elements of the machine is an order of magnitude higher, as is the quality of processing;
• rpm - usually 0 - 1500 in 1st gear, 0 - 2500 in 2nd speed;
• the presence of several speeds - usually 1 or 2;
• protective devices - some models are equipped with plexiglass casings, which fade over time and crack, reducing visibility of the workpiece;
• headstock - preferably options with a through hole, allowing you to turn and cut threads on long parts.

Metal parts are constantly required to repair a car. It’s good if the model is common, you can buy it. If the car is rare, you either have to wait a long time for it to be delivered, or order production. In this case, you can purchase a lathe for the garage. If you have experience, you can use it for part-time work.

What types of lathes are suitable for private use?

There are nine types of lathes in total, but not all are needed in the garage. Most often, private owners can see small screw-cutting lathes. Along with processing parts (grinding, drilling, milling, drilling radial holes, etc.), they perform various types of thread cutting and cone turning. People are trying to buy just such a lathe for a garage - it covers almost all the needs of car owners.

Available in two types - tabletop and with a stand (floor-mounted). Tabletop - small, light weight (up to 200 kg) machines. It’s easier to find a place for them in the garage. The disadvantage is that large and heavy parts cannot be processed with them. Another point: due to their low mass, they are not always able to provide high processing accuracy.

Floor-standing lathes (usually school lathes) have significantly greater weight and dimensions. For normal operation, a separate foundation must be made for them. Installation on vibration dampers is possible, but they are not easy to find.

Lathe device

In order to choose a lathe, it is advisable to know its structure, purpose, functions and possible parameters of each part. First, let's look at the main components.

These are the main components of a lathe. It makes sense to take a closer look at complex components, since the capabilities and operation of the equipment depend on their execution.

bed

Most often these are two parallel massive metal beams/walls connected by cross members to provide greater rigidity. The caliper and tailstock move along the frame. For this purpose, guide slides are machined on the frame. The tailstock moves along flat guides, the caliper moves along prismatic ones. Prismatic guides for the tailstock are very rare.

Bed for a metal lathe - factory and homemade

When choosing a used machine, pay attention to the condition of the slide and the smooth movement of parts along it.

Front (spindle) headstock

The headstock in modern lathes most often combines a workpiece holder and a device for changing the spindle speed. There are several types of rotation speed control - by moving the levers to a certain position, using a regulator.

The controller with a smooth change in rotation speed is controlled by a microprocessor. In this case, there is a liquid crystal display on the headstock body that displays the current speed.

The main part of the headstock is the spindle, which on one side is connected to the electric drive pulley, on the other has a thread onto which chucks are screwed to hold the workpiece. The accuracy of turning work directly depends on the condition of the spindle. There should be no beats or backlash in this unit.

Guitar of gears - for transmitting rotation and changing its speed

The headstock contains a system of replaceable gears for transmitting and changing rotation to the gearbox shaft. When choosing a lathe for your garage, pay attention to the condition of the gears and the absence of spindle play. The accuracy of workpiece processing depends on this.

Tailstock

The tailstock is movable - it moves along guides on the bed. It is brought to the part, its position is adjusted, the quill rests on the part, holding it in the desired position, the position of the quill is fixed by turning the corresponding handle. After which the position of the tailstock is secured with another locking handle.

In some models, the tailstock is designed not only to support massive or long parts in a given direction, but also to process them.

To do this, depending on the operations performed, the corresponding equipment is attached to the quills - cutters, taps, drills. The additional center of the machine on the tailstock can be stationary or rotating. The rotating rear center is made on high-speed machines for removing large chips and turning cones.

Caliper

A lathe support is a moving part on which tools for processing parts are mounted. Thanks to the special design of this unit, the cutter can move in three planes. Horizontal movement is ensured by guides on the frame, longitudinal and transverse slides.

The position of the cutter relative to the surface of the machine (and the part) is set by a rotary tool holder. In each of the planes there is a lock that ensures retention in a given position.

The cutter holder can be single or multiple. The tool holder is most often made in the form of a cylinder with a side slot into which a tool is inserted and secured with bolts. On simple machines, the support has a special groove into which a recess on the bottom of the holder is inserted. This is how the cutting tool is fixed on the machine.

Lathe for the garage: parameters

First of all, you decide on the mass and type of connection. When choosing a mass, you should not strive to find the lightest machine. Very light ones do not provide stability and can vibrate during operation, which will affect the accuracy of the work. Yes, it is problematic to install heavy machines, but installation is a one-time event and you will have to work regularly. Therefore, weight is far from the most basic selection criterion.

Lathes that are too large cannot be installed in every garage, but small and medium-sized ones are an excellent choice

The type of connection - single-phase or three-phase - is more important. And then, three-phase ones can be connected to 220 through special starters. Among the electrical characteristics, engine power is also important. The higher it is, the higher the rotation speed the lathe can develop. These are general points. There are also special ones:

• The diameter of the workpiece that can be machined. Determined by the processing diameter above the bed and above the support.
• Length of the workpiece. Depends on the move.
• List of operations.
• Maximum speed.
• The adjustment method is smooth, stepwise.
• Possibility of reverse movement.

The dimensions of the processed parts are directly related to the dimensions of the machine. So here we have to look for a reasonable compromise. Usually you don’t want to clutter up your garage too much, but you do need to handle large parts.

Micro and mini lathes

To avoid cluttering your garage, you can find mini or micro lathes. They are distinguished by their very small size and low weight. For example, a micro-lathe for a PROMA SM-250E garage has dimensions of 540*300*270 mm and a weight of 35 kg. It can process workpieces with a length of 210 mm and a diameter of 140 mm. Smooth speed control from 100 to 2000 rpm. Not too bad for this size.

Mini lathes - they belong in the garage

Despite its small size, it can perform the following operations:

• grinding surfaces,
• thread cutting;
• drilling;
• countersinking;
• deployment.

Parts grinding, knurling, and tool sharpening are also possible. The basic operations, as you can see, are present. The disadvantage is that on machines of this type you cannot process any large parts. And another disadvantage of this particular model is the price. This garage lathe costs from $900.

In the same category there are Chinese JET BD-3 and JET BD-6 (price 500-600 $) and domestic KRATON MML-01 (price 900 $), Encore Corvette 401 ($650), German Optimum - from $1300 to 6000 $; Czech Proma - from $900,

Floor options

The choice here is not so wide, because both prices and weight are much higher. There are several proven models that can be installed in the garage.

These are the so-called school machines - TV 4 (its improved version of TV 6), TV 7 and the desktop version of TV 16. With a mass of 280 kg (TV 4) and 400 kg of TV 7, it is desirable to have a separate foundation. If you just put it on a concrete floor, it will break it.

A garage metal lathe is an indispensable tool for repairing small metal parts. There are several types of them, but not all are suitable for a garage space.

There are many manufacturers of the necessary equipment on the market, which differ both in their dimensions and functionality. To make your choice easier, let’s find out which lathe is most suitable for a garage and what you should pay attention to.

There are many turning units, in general they are divided into three types:

• desktop;
• semi-professional;
• professional.

Assembling a lathe with your own hands.

The choice of equipment depends on personal needs. The first two types are suitable for use at home; most often, car owners prefer the desktop version. Their relatively small size makes it easy to place the unit in a garage and use it for a variety of jobs.

Micro-machines have some limitations in use, the main thing concerns the size of the parts. Since car enthusiasts often work at home with small parts, the option with a desktop unit is perfect for this.

The tabletop metal lathe, in turn, is divided into 3 more types:

• turning and milling;
• screw-cutting lathe;
• combined.

The first type is used when you need to remove chamfers from workpieces, make holes and trim. The second allows you to turn parts and apply threads to them, and the combined type provides all of the above.

Modern tabletop garage lathes allow you to perform several operations:

• turning parts of shaped, cylindrical or conical shapes;
• trimming the ends of parts;
• grinding;
• boring;
• drilling holes and expanding them;
• thread cutting.

Drawing of a machine for woodworking.

A home machine tool has several important advantages:

• take up little space and a wide range allows you to choose a device that can be installed in almost any room;
• reliability – despite the small size of the equipment, with its help it will be possible to perform the necessary operations efficiently;
• ease of connection to the electrical network;
• low electricity consumption compared to larger models;
• the ability to expand functionality by purchasing additional components.

Among the shortcomings of mini units, it is worth noting the most important one - lower operating speed, however, such a nuance will not at all affect the quality of the work. Especially if the home machine is equipped with a CNC system - computer numerical control.

Lathe device

Before choosing equipment, it would be a good idea to understand its structure. This will allow you to understand the purpose and functions of the main parts of the machine, which will help with your selection in the future.

Any design of a garage lathe includes the following main components:

• bed - the base on which the remaining elements of the machine are installed and secured;
• motor and gearbox – ensure rotation of the spindle and caliper;
• headstock - used to fix the object and rotate it;
• tailstock - another fixation element;
• spindle - a metal shaft of a machine that promotes rotation;
• caliper – a clamp for the cutting tool.

bed

The bed is the main part of a metal lathe, on which the remaining components of the unit are installed and moved. Often the part is made of cast iron in order to obtain a durable structure that can withstand heavy loads and last a long time.

Most often, the element is made in the form of two parallel beams, on which guides are provided for moving parts.

Headstock

The headstock, or spindle, is a cast iron box that serves for fixation. In addition, it contains a mechanism for switching spindle speeds.

The spindle, in turn, is the main part of the mechanism; on one side it is connected to the electric drive gear, and on the other it has a thread for screwing on the chucks and fixing the workpiece.

The spindle is the most important component, since the performance of turning work will depend on its condition. In this regard, it is important to pay attention to this when purchasing equipment.

Tailstock

The tailstock also serves to hold the object being milled or turned during processing. It is a metal cylinder firmly fixed to the body. In addition, in some models of the unit, the element allows you to attach various objects: drill, tap, reamer and others.

The tailstock must meet certain requirements:

• do not move spontaneously;
• ensure reliable position of the axis;
• facilitate quick installation along the machine axis;
• make it possible to accurately position the workpiece on both center holes.

Parameters of a garage lathe

Scheme of a lathe.

When choosing a lathe for your garage, you should pay attention to its parameters.

In order for the equipment to fully comply with the requirements, you should pay attention to the main selection criteria:

1. Weight and size of the machine.
   Here you should start from the possibilities of the garage space.
2. Ease of connection.
   It can be single-phase or three-phase. Since most often in garages the first type of power supply is 220 V, this point should be taken into account. It hardly makes sense to make separate 380 V wiring for a three-phase connection specifically for the machine. In some cases, it is possible to adapt the machine unit for connection to a three-phase network.
3. Unit details.
   This point is especially important. You should pay attention to the components of the machine, especially the bed and support. They must be made of hard metal alloys.
4. Power.
   Mini-units usually have a power rating of no more than 2.25 kW. There are also so-called low-power equipment that have a drive with a power of 0.15 kW. It is worth noting that the latter are not suitable for processing large parts made of durable materials. For the manufacture of nuts and washers, a power of up to 1 kW is sufficient.
5. Equipment.
   When choosing a garage machine, you should focus on its specialization. By purchasing a highly specialized device, you can make a mistake. Depending on your needs, it is better to immediately buy a machine with the necessary equipment included, or purchase a basic package and, if necessary, equip the device with additional functions. The second option will be more economical, since you can purchase additional devices whenever possible.
6. Rotation speed.
   This factor depends on the metals to be processed. It is better to choose equipment with a wide range of rotation speed adjustments, this will give the owner more options.

Mini machines

Lathes, which can be classified as tabletop, have a mass of 15 kg to 200 kg. Mini machines weighing no more than 50 kg are perfect for garage use. They can be easily installed and, if necessary, moved.

You should not choose the lightest and smallest units for the garage, as they may be unstable and cause vibration when working with parts, which, in turn, will affect the accuracy of the work.

Floor options

Floor-standing lathes allow you to process large workpieces and guarantee high precision in the manufacture of parts. However, this type of equipment has a significant drawback - large size and weight. In this regard, its use in the garage will not always be convenient or even possible.

For home use, manufacturers offer tabletop machines that can be used to perform almost all types of turning work offered by a floor-standing unit. The main difference is only in size.

Bottom line

When choosing a metal lathe for your garage, you should pay attention to several factors. First of all, the dimensions and weight of the equipment are important. Tabletop units are perfect for a garage space.

Despite their light weight, they act as a mini copy of a full-fledged factory model and allow you to perform the necessary work efficiently. The only difference is the processing speed of the part.

Also, you should not buy the smallest model, as this may affect the stability of the garage machine and cause vibration during operation. When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the power of the unit, its functionality, materials, components, speed and type of connection.

For a “handy” home craftsman, a tabletop lathe for processing metal workpieces is the ultimate dream. With its help, missing parts of repaired mechanisms are made, threads are cut, corrugations are made, or holes are bored. For some, the universal mechanism opens up new horizons for creativity or hobbies. For others, there is an additional way to replenish the family budget. Unfortunately, the cost of factory equipment in most cases leaves the dream of a complete home workshop unrealized. However, the desire to have a lathe at home can be easily realized if you make it yourself. We’ll tell you more about one of these designs, giving you the opportunity to build a lathe with your own hands.

Purpose and capabilities

A modern lathe is a symbiosis of mechanical parts and electronic components

The main functions of any modern mechanism, be it a simple manual meat grinder or a coal miner, are provided by rotating parts that would be impossible to produce without lathes. A special feature of these units is the processing of rotating bodies by cutting. Lathes provide precision manufacturing that is unattainable with other metalworking methods. Equipment of this type is easy to automate and allows you to perform the following operations:

• longitudinal turning of a smooth or stepped cylindrical surface;
• processing of ledges and grooves;
• turning of external and internal conical surfaces;
• boring of conical and cylindrical holes;
• cutting threads (internal or external) with a cutter or drill;
• reaming and countersinking of holes;
• groove cutting or cutting;
• shaped turning;
• knurling of a corrugated surface.

The main purpose of lathes is to process three types of parts - shafts, bushings and disks, resulting in a variety of axles, flywheels, liners, sprocket blanks, etc. In addition, other workpieces with the shape of bodies of revolution are processed on universal units, for example , body parts.

Screw-cutting lathes are the most popular design among home craftsmen

All existing lathes are distinguished by:

• according to turning characteristics (turret lathes, rotary lathes, multi-cutting machines, etc. - a total of nine subgroups);
• size range, which depends on the diameter of the workpiece;
• degrees of specialization (special, universal, etc.);
• accuracy class.

The most popular for repetition at home are screw-cutting lathes, which have the simplest design among the units presented above.

Design

Although the first turning machines appeared at the end of the 18th century, their architecture was so perfect that it has not undergone significant changes to this day. We can say that today we use equipment similar to that used for metalworking two centuries ago.

Design of a screw-cutting lathe

A metal lathe consists of the following components and parts:

1. The bed, which is the basis for all other elements. The precision of processing and the versatility of the device depend on the strength and scrupulousness of its manufacture. The body of the machine must be a massive, fundamental structure. Only in this case can vibrations and tool displacement be avoided during turning operations.
2. Front spindle headstock. This unit allows you to fix the workpiece and rotate it during processing. Often the spindle head includes a gearbox and a feed mechanism for the caliper or machining head. This allows you to change the rotation speed of the part and improves productivity.
3. Tailstock. This element is designed to hold the part in a given coordinate system, coaxial with the spindle. In addition, the tool mounted in the tailstock allows you to perform additional operations, for example, cutting threads.
4. Caliper. Without a doubt, this unit is one of the most important in the design of the machine. The support is designed to hold the cutting tool and move it relative to the workpiece. Depending on the design, the support can feed the cutter in different planes, making it possible to produce parts with a complex configuration of internal and external surfaces. The main requirements for the support are reliable tool retention and feed accuracy, since this is directly related to the quality of processing.

When making a homemade lathe, the design is simplified as much as possible. To do this, elements that are problematic to make at home are modified, and some components are completely abandoned. For example, the gearbox can be replaced with several pulleys of different sizes, and the automatic feed can be excluded from the circuit.

What is needed for making

The ideal option when making a homemade lathe would be to use separate components from decommissioned equipment. If this is not possible, then you will have to make components and parts yourself.

Instead of a cast frame, a frame welded from steel profile pipes and angles is used. It goes without saying that a wooden frame is not an acceptable option in this case. The metal profile can provide the required rigidity and stability of the structure. In addition, with the help of even square and rectangular pipes, it is not at all difficult to adhere to the strict geometry of the frame. An uneven frame will not make it possible to correctly fix the centers, which will subsequently affect the quality of the work performed.

Low-power asynchronous motor - an excellent power unit for a homemade design

For the drive you will need a power unit. It is best to use a low-speed asynchronous electric motor. Unlike collector units, “asynchronous” units are practically not at risk of breakdown when the speed drops sharply.

To process workpieces with a diameter of no more than 100 mm, an electric motor with a power of 500 - 1000 W will be sufficient. If you plan to grind larger parts, you will need at least a 1.5-kilowatt power unit.

In addition, you will have to select a drive belt (or several belts of different lengths). Don’t forget about the fasteners that will attach the individual units to the body. For a homemade lathe, nuts and bolts with a diameter of 8 and 10 mm with regular metric threads are suitable.

Parts machined from a steel bar and then hardened are used as slides, but the best option would be guides made from shock-absorbing struts or long shafts of industrial mechanisms. They have excellent geometry, and their surface is hardened in the factory.

The tailstock, like the spindle, is best used from decommissioned factory equipment

The tailstock can also be made from profile pipes and a thick metal sheet, but the quill is made from a hardened pointed bolt, several nuts with the same thread and a steering wheel made from a pulley from agricultural machinery. Using a homemade quill will require lubricating the contacting surfaces with lithol or grease every time you attach a part. A similar procedure will not be necessary with a factory-made rotating center, so if possible, it is better to buy this part.

The longitudinal and transverse feed screws can also be turned on a lathe or you can use a long threaded rod, which can be bought in construction hypermarkets.

For feed screws, a fine-threaded shaft is used - this will significantly increase the positioning accuracy of the working tool.

For rotation units, you will need rolling bearings installed in the housing, and pulleys of various diameters mounted on the drive shaft will allow you to regulate the speed. These parts can be bought or ordered from a familiar turner.

Making a caliper will require stocking up on a steel plate with a thickness of at least 8mm. It can also be used for a tool holder.

Another component that cannot be made in a home-made environment is the spindle. You'll have to buy it. Mounting the spindle requires the manufacture of a shaft on which the driven pulleys will be mounted. The strength of this part must be impeccable, so it is best to use parts from discarded factory mechanisms.

There are designs that do not have a belt drive. Rotation from the motor shaft is transmitted directly to the spindle. Of course, they have a right to exist, however, when choosing such a scheme, be prepared for frequent failure of the electric motor bearings.

In addition to the lathe, during the work you will need the following tools and equipment:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• grinding and emery machine;
• electric drill and set of metal drills;
• taps and dies for thread cutting;
• set of wrenches;
• caliper, metal ruler;
• marker.

All these tools and materials will allow you to make a full-fledged tabletop lathe. If you couldn’t get some parts, don’t despair - they can be replaced with something else for a while. Thus, a chuck from an electric drill can be used instead of a spindle if small workpieces need to be processed.

Dimensions and drawings

When determining the dimensions of the machine, first of all, we focus on the maximum length and diameter of the parts being processed. Let us recall that in industry, low-power turning equipment has the following boundary parameters:

• length - up to 1150 mm;
• width - up to 620 mm;
• the distance from the top surface of the bed to the spindle axis (axis height) is about 180 mm.

It is hardly worth exceeding these values ​​on homemade equipment. We must not forget that with increasing size the danger of bending the geometry of the machine increases many times over. When choosing the size of the support and determining the extreme points of its movement, calculating the distance between centers and the limits of movement of the tool holder, it is best to focus on the drawings of home-made machines. Made by folk craftsmen, they have proven their performance in practice, so it would be stupid not to use proven solutions.

Instructions for making a simple lathe with your own hands

Since everyone decides what his lathe will look like and what dimensions it will have, it is impossible to give an accurate description of the manufacture of all parts indicating dimensions, tolerances and fits. However, the process of building any lathe consists of the same steps.

1. Making the frame. As mentioned above, it is impossible to make a massive cast-iron frame at home. Therefore, its role will be played by a frame made of channel or steel profile pipes, which are cut to size and then welded according to the drawing. It is important to maintain the correctness of all right angles, so control using a square should be carried out every time the next joint is made. It is best to work on a flat, horizontal slab. This will make it possible to obtain a frame with strict geometry in the horizontal plane. You can do without a massive frame by making it from long shafts as guides.
   Parts for making the bed
2. The side posts of the bed are made on a lathe.
   Side stand
3. Assemble the guides with the posts. In this case, spacer bushings are installed between the side support elements.
   Installation of guides on racks
4. Bushings for fastening the tailstock and tool holder are mounted on the guides. It is not necessary to make them the same length. One part can be made shorter than another, using the long element as a guide, and the shorter one to support the moving parts. This solution will increase the working stroke of the rear center.
   Installation of main feed support and guide bushings
5. The quill and caliper mounting areas are made from a steel sheet 8–10 mm thick and secured to the guides and retaining bushings using bolts with a diameter of 6 mm. Particular attention should be paid to the mounting holes, since the slightest inaccuracy will lead to misalignment and jamming of the moving parts of the machine.
   Installation of support pads of the caliper and tailstock
6. Install the lead screw. You can machine this part from a blank or use a threaded part from any device, for example, from a high chair with variable height. Be sure to ensure that anti-friction bushings made of bronze or brass are installed in the corresponding holes in the side posts.
7. A vernier and a steering wheel are attached to the lead screw.
   Installing the Main Feed Screw
8. A platform for attaching the headstock is installed, after which the assembly of the frame is considered complete.
9. The headstock is assembled from a bearing support, two ball bearings, a main shaft with pulleys and a spindle.
   Headstock assembly
10. A tailstock is made from a long screw, a bushing with an internal thread, a metal profile and a handle, after which the rear moving unit is mounted on the machine.
11. Monitor and, if necessary, adjust the alignment of the front and rear centers.
12. Assembling the caliper. The process of its manufacture is similar to assembling a frame - the guides are equipped with bushings, a screw, a vernier and a small steering wheel are mounted.
13. A tool holder is made from a thick metal plate and bolts with a diameter of 8 mm, after which it is installed on the support.