A small metal lathe for a garage. Lathes for metal for the garage. Garage units

Metal parts are constantly required to repair a machine. Well, if the model is common, you can buy it. If the car is rare, you have to either wait a long time until it is delivered, or order production. In this case, you can purchase a lathe for the garage. If you have experience, you can use it for a side job.

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 traders can see small screw-cutting lathes. Along with machining parts (grinding, drilling, milling, drilling radial holes, etc.), they perform various types of threading and taper turning. It is such a lathe for the garage that they are trying to buy - it covers almost all the needs of car owners.

They are produced in two types - table and with a bed (floor). Desktop - small, lightweight (up to 200 kg) machines. It is easier for them to find a place in the garage. The disadvantage is that large and heavy parts cannot be processed on them. One more point: due to their low mass, they are not always able to produce high processing accuracy.

Floor lathes (usually school lathes) have a much larger 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 desirable to know its structure, purpose, functions and possible parameters of each part. First, let's take a look at the main nodes.

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

Stanina

Most often, these are two parallel massive metal beams / webs, connected by crossbars to give greater rigidity. The caliper and tailstock move along the bed. For this purpose, guide slides are machined on the bed. The tailstock moves along flat guides, the caliper moves along prismatic ones. Prismatic tailstock guides are very rare.

Bed for a lathe for metal - factory and homemade

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

Headstock (spindle)

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

The control of the regulator with a smooth change in the rotation speed is carried out on the basis of a microprocessor control. In this case, there is a liquid crystal display on the headstock housing, which displays the current speed.

The main part of the headstock is the spindle, which on the one hand is connected to the electric drive pulley, on the other it 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 and backlashes in this unit.

Guitar gears - to transmit rotation and change its speed

The headstock contains a system of changeable gears for transferring and changing rotation to the gearbox shaft. When choosing a lathe for a garage, pay attention to the condition of the gears and the absence of spindle backlash. The accuracy of workpieces processing depends on this.

Tailstock

The tailstock is movable - it moves along the guides on the bed. It is brought to the part, its position is adjusted, the quill rests against the part, holding it in the desired position, the position of the quill is fixed by turning the corresponding handle. Then the position of the tailstock is fixed with another fixing 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, on the quill, depending on the operations performed, the corresponding equipment is fixed - cutters, taps, drills. The additional center of the machine on the tailstock can be fixed or rotating. The rotating rear center is made on high-speed machines, for removing large chips, turning cones.

Caliper

The lathe support is a movable part on which tools for processing parts are attached. Due to the special design of this unit, the cutter can move in three planes. Horizontal movement is provided by guides on the bed, longitudinal and cross slide.

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

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

Garage lathe: parameters

First of all, you are determined with 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, they can vibrate during operation, which will affect the accuracy of work. Yes, it is problematic to install heavy machines, but installation is a single event, 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

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

The diameter of the workpiece that can be processed on the machine. Determined by the diameter of processing above the bed and above the slide.
Length of the work piece. Depends on the course.
List of operations.
Maximum number of revolutions.
The adjustment method is smooth, stepwise.
Reverse capability.

The dimensions of the workpieces are directly related to the dimensions of the machine. So a reasonable compromise has to be found here. Usually you don't want to clutter up the garage too much, but you need to handle the dimensional details.

Micro and mini lathes

In order not to clutter up the garage, you can find mini or micro lathes. They are very small in size and light in weight. For example, a PROMA SM-250E micro-lathe for a garage has dimensions of 540 * 300 * 270 mm and a weight of 35 kg. It can process workpieces 210 mm long and 140 mm in diameter. Smooth speed control from 100 to 2000 rpm. Not so bad for this size.

Mini lathes - they belong in the garage

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

turning surfaces,
threading;
drilling;
countersinking;
deployment.

Grinding of parts, knurling, tool sharpening are also possible. The basic operations, as you can see, are present. The disadvantage is that you cannot process at least some large parts on machines of this type. And the disadvantage of this particular model is the price. This lathe for a garage costs from $ 900.

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

Floor options

Here the choice is not so wide, because both prices and weight are much higher. There are several tried and tested models that you can install in your 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 TV 7, it is desirable to have a separate foundation. If you just put it on a concrete floor, it will break it.

JET BD-8VS Bench metal lathe

Benchtop Lathes Comparison:

All controls are located on the front panel. Smooth adjustment of spindle rotation in two ranges. The bands are strapped over. Right and left rotation of the spindle. Button for turning the spindle on and off, as well as a table for tuning the guitar of the machine for metric and inch threads..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

The display shows the spindle speed. The emergency stop button of the machine switches off rotation and feed on the machine in case of an abnormal situation..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

A 3-jaw chuck 100 mm and a set of reverse jaws are installed as standard..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

It is possible to adjust the wedge strips, guides of the tool holder ..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

All gears in the machine are metal

Two automatic longitudinal feeds..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

Machine guides hardened and ground..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

Four-position cutter post for 4 cutters. The tool holder rotates and is fixed exactly perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the machine..png "height \u003d" 492 "\u003e

vendor code 50000911M.

Machine JET BD-8VS- belongs to the class of table lathes. The machine is supplied with a tray for collecting chips and is screwed to a cabinet or workbench through the tray. Despite its small dimensions, the machine is capable of processing a workpiece with a diameter of up to 210 mm above the bed, and if sharpened above the slide, this diameter decreases to 135 mm. At the same time, the maximum processing length (MCL) is an impressive 400 mm.

Rotation of the workpiece is provided by a 0.6 kW motor, a commutator motor, and these are one of the most reliable motors for table lathes.

A feature of the BD-8VS machine is the presence of smooth speed control in two ranges, the ranges are changed by throwing the belt over the pulleys. There are two ranges in total from 50 to 1250 and from 100 to 2500. Smooth adjustment allows you to select cutting conditions for any type of material.

The machine is able to cut metric and inch threads; to change the thread pitch, you need to dial the guitar from the gears. All gears are metal and have a good working life. The turning "kid" can cut 14 metric, yes - yes, as many as 14 metric and 12 inch threads. The machine will close any task when repairing a water supply system and any household item.

For high-quality and fast turning, there is an automatic slide feed, longitudinal feed. In total, there are two feeds 0.1 mm per revolution and 0.2 mm per 1 spindle revolution.

BD-8VS has the ability to sharpen cones, a 4-position tool holder rotates with the upper carriage 90 degrees in both directions, this is a groove of the so-called small cones. You can also grind the taper along the entire length of the machine by adjusting the tailstock. What does it mean? We can offset the tailstock from the centers by +/- 10 mm.

The machine is perfect for those who like to do something by hand, modeling, production, repair and just a favorite hobby!

Other models of machine tools are presented in the sections "Desktop lathes" and "Lathes for metal".

The 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.

There are many manufacturers of the necessary equipment on the market, which differ both in their dimensions and functional capabilities. To facilitate the choice, we will find out which lathe for the garage is the most suitable and what you should pay attention to.

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

desktop;
semi-professional;
professional.

Do-it-yourself lathe assembly.

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

Micro-machines have some limitations in use, the main thing is the size of the parts. Since motorists often work at home with just small details, the option with a tabletop unit is perfect for this.

The table-top lathe for metal, in turn, is subdivided into 3 more types:

turning and milling;
screw-cutting lathe;
combined.

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

Modern benchtop 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 their expansion;
threading.

Drawing of a machine for woodworking.

A home machine tool has several important advantages:

take up little space and a wide assortment 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 with high quality;
ease of connection to the mains;
low electricity consumption compared to large models;
the ability to expand functionality by purchasing additional components.

Of the shortcomings of mini-units, the most important one should be noted - a lower speed of work, however, such a nuance will not at all affect the quality of work. Especially if the home machine is equipped with a CNC system - numerical control.

Lathe device

Before choosing equipment, it will not be superfluous to understand its device. This will allow you to understand the purpose and function of the main parts of the machine, which will help in the future when choosing.

Any design of a garage lathe includes the main components:

bed - the base on which the rest of the machine elements are installed and fixed;
engine and gearbox - provide rotation of the spindle and caliper;
headstock - serves to fix the object and rotation;
the tailstock is another fixing element;
spindle - a metal shaft of the machine, which facilitates rotation;
support - cutting tool holder.

Stanina

The bed is the main part of the metal lathe, on which the remaining units of the unit are installed and moved. Often, the part is made of cast iron in order to obtain a solid 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 the spindle speeds.

The spindle, in turn, is the main part of the mechanism, on the one hand it is connected to the gear of the electric drive, and on the other it has a thread for screwing in 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, when buying equipment, it is important to pay attention to this.

Tailstock

The tailstock also serves to hold the object to be milled or turned during machining. 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 a reliable position of the axis;
facilitate quick installation along the axis of the machine;
make it possible to accurately position the workpiece on both center holes.

Garage lathe parameters

Lathe diagram.

When choosing a lathe for a 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:

Machine weight and size.
Here you should build on the capabilities of the garage.
Convenience 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 a 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.
Details of the unit.
This point is especially important. Pay attention to the components of the machine, especially the bed and support. They must be made of hard metal alloys.
Power.
For mini-units, the power indicator usually does not exceed 2.25 kW. There are also so-called low-power equipment with a 0.15 kW drive. It should be noted 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 quite enough.
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 in the kit, or purchase a basic package and, if necessary, equip the device with additional functions. The second option will turn out to be more economical, since you can buy additional devices whenever possible.
Rotation frequency.
This factor depends on the metals to be processed. It is better to choose equipment with a wide range of rotational speed adjustments, this will give the owner more options.

Mini machines

Lathes, which can be referred to as bench-top, 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 can be unstable and give vibration when working with parts, which, in turn, will affect the accuracy of the work.

Floor options

Floor lathes allow you to process large-sized 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 and generally possible.

For home use, manufacturers offer table-top lathes, with the help of which it will be possible to perform almost all types of turning work offered by a floor-standing unit. The main difference is only in size.

Outcome

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

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

It is also not worth buying the smallest model, as this can affect the stability of the garage machine and give 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.

Lathes for the home are a miniature copy of industrial equipment and are designed to perform simple tasks. With the help of desktop mini-machines, you can carry out the following operations:

Mini lathe for metal Proxxon FD 150 / E

trimming the ends;
threading;
countersinking;
grooving of cylindrical and conical surfaces;
grooving grooves and grooves;
trimming parts.

Mini turning machines for the home are divided by functionality and types of operations performed:

screw-cutter, for example, Caliber STMN-550/35;
milling machine, for example, a school TV-4 machine.

The screw-cutting micro-lathe unit is equipped with a drill chuck, with which you can:

grind all kinds of details;
make grooves and various grooves;
trim the edges of the workpieces.

The screw-cutting machine can process non-ferrous and ferrous metals.

The milling unit performs the following types of work:

cutting grooves, both straight and curved;
chamfering;
drilling of various holes;
threading.

Such a micro-lathe allows you to work not only with metals, but also with plastic and wooden parts. This is a more functional option for the home, versatility is provided by the vertical milling part.

Design description of turning units

The design of desktop lathes for the home is slightly different from industrial prototypes. Some parts are smaller.

School machine TV-4 - drawing

The most traditional design has a school machine TV-4 and TV-9, the main elements are:

A small desktop metal lathe, for example, Caliber CMT-400, can weigh 50 kg, while the power is 500 watts.

Bench lathes

The most common models of tabletop units for the home:

Micro-lathe Proma DSO-1000 - Czech model. Specifications:

power - 0.4 kW;
power grid - 220 V;
limiting part length - 100 cm;
the maximum diameter of the workpiece is 35 cm;
weight - 35 kg;
speed - up to 1250 rpm;
number of speeds - 4;
cost - 13,500 rubles.

Its main drawback is ineffective work with hard metals, more suitable for processing lead, copper, tin products. It is difficult to find spare parts - only original ones are needed.

Lathe for metal Caliber SMT-400 of Russian production. Specifications:

power - 0.55 kW;
power grid - 220 V;
weight - 45 kg;
speed - up to 2500 rpm;
cost - 22,500 rubles.

Caliber machine - screw, can perform all basic turning work. The gauge shows good results in the processing of hard metal parts. Easy to pick up spare parts in case of breakdown.

Profi-350 - machine for metal: made in China

Profi-350 (China). Main characteristics:

power - 300 W;
power grid - 220 V;
limiting part length - 35 cm;
weight - 54 kg;
speed - up to 3000 rpm;
cost - 23,000 rubles.

This machine has a large mass, but thanks to it, it provides stability and more accurate turning work. In the event of a breakdown, spare parts for it must be ordered from the manufacturer and wait about two weeks.

Garage Lathe Models

Metal lathe for home BD-9G JET

For the garage, you can pick up not only desktop options, but also units with their own base, for example, TV-4 is a school machine. It is used for training in schools and vocational schools. Specifications:

The TV-7 screw-cutting lathe is perfect for working in a garage

power - 1 kW;
power grid - 220 V;
the maximum diameter of the processed product is 20 cm;
weight - 280 kg;
speed - up to 710 rpm;
cost - 25,000 rubles.

More powerful, but dimensional models have been developed - this is not a school machine, but rather professional equipment:

TV-6;
TV-7;
TV-9.

A metal lathe Weiss (China) is suitable for a garage:

power - 6 kW;
power grid - 220 V;
limiting part length - 30 cm;
the maximum diameter of the workpiece is 18 cm;
weight - 60 kg;
cost - 67 800 rubles.

Description and dimensions of mini-machines

Modern manufacturers strive to develop the most compact and quietest models. Among these are:

Mini machine JED BD-3. Specifications:

JET BD-3 at the manufacturer's price - 22,000 rubles

power - 150 W;
the limiting part length - 15 cm;
the maximum diameter of the workpiece is 10 cm;
dimensions - 270 * 440 * 210 mm;
weight - 13 kg;
speed - up to 3800 rpm;
cost - 39 600 rubles.

Specifications:

power - 230 W;
the diameter of the workpiece is 14 cm;
dimensions - 270 * 300 * 540 mm;
weight - 23 kg;
speed - up to 2000 rpm;
cost - 63,000 rubles.

Quantum D140x250 Vario mini-installation

power - 450 W;
limiting part length - 25 cm;
the maximum diameter of the workpiece is 14 cm;
dimensions - 250 * 320 * 560 mm;
weight - 22 kg;
speed - up to 3000 rpm;
cost - 93,000 rubles.

Mini-machine Caliber STM-250:

power - 250 W;
limiting part length - 25 cm;
the maximum diameter of the workpiece is 18 cm;
dimensions - 350 * 325 * 760 mm;
weight - 40 kg;
speed - up to 3500 rpm;
the cost of the lathe Caliber - 41,900 rubles.

Home lathe - how to choose?

In order to purchase a high-quality device that will last a long time, you need to pay attention not only to technical characteristics, but also to specialization. Select in accordance with what work is planned to be performed on it.

More powerful models save time on product processing, but also consume more electricity.

The weight of the unit plays an important role. Lighter models may be less stable and unable to perform complex work.

The asynchronous motor type is characterized by a longer service life.

Sizes are important when space is limited, so it is best to opt for mini machines. If the area of \u200b\u200bthe house allows, then it is better to give preference to more dimensional options, for example, the domestic models Caliber - they are stable and allow you to process them with a greater length.

It is better to give preference to models that can be modernized and expanded their functionality.

When purchasing foreign-made installations, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of repair, find out if spare parts are available for sale, the presence of a service center in the city.

Video: How to choose a desktop metal lathe

Often at home it is required to cut metal to make a product.Metal lathe for home is a reduced analogue of the production sample.

Despite the lower performance than industrial equipment, home appliances are indispensable when working with small workpieces.

In contact with

Why a lathe at home

Very often, a home craftsman needs to make or process any metal part, but the necessary tools are not at hand, or they are not enough for this. In this case, you have to apply for a paid service to a specialist or ask your friends for help. Therefore, it is very convenient when at home or in the garage there is a personalsmall lathe... It can be used to perform many tasks:

Internal and external threads at different frequencies.
Boring the workpiece to the required size.
Possibility of turning a cone or cylindrical part.
Turning parts.
End processing.
Drilling holes.
Countersinking.
Hole reamer.
Grinding grooves and grooves.
Trimming parts.

If you install additionalspare parts for metal lathes, you can extend the relatively small functionality of a small home tool.

Home lathe for turning

Turning equipment for home use in its functionality is analogous to the machine that is installed in factories, but with its help only small parts and spare parts can be processed. However, for personal use this is sufficient.

The equipment is a complex structure of several elements attached to the frame. A mandatory requirement for the bed is its stability.

Lathes for the home workshop equipped with a part that holds the cutter in the required position. Depending on the type of work being performed, cutters and drills are replaced with suitable ones.

Advantages of home equipment:

Low energy consumption. To power a small desktop machine, it is enough to connect to a household power supply with a voltage of 220 V.
The equipment can be adapted for connection to a three-phase network.
Reliability of the unit due to its uncomplicated design, which, moreover, ensures a long service life.
Affordable cost in comparison with professional equipment.
Due to its compactness and low weight, the equipment can be easily placed in a home workshop. There are not just small, but mini-machines that are very convenient for personal use.
The ability to expand functionality after installing additional devices.
You can learn how to work the instrument from scratch and in a short period of time.

Equipment types

For home use, desktop mini-units and semi-professional equipment are used. Semi-professional equipment, more powerful than mini-machines, is used for piece production, as well as drilling, milling. According to the method of processing parts, the devices can be divided into groups:

Desktop turning and milling machine for metal.Used for the production of cuts and bevels, holes, grooves, facing, threading.
Screw-cutting lathe for metal.It is used for turning and boring workpieces, cutting external and internal threads, production of various recesses. They are characterized by minimal spindle runout, high cost, it can be used to process products from various types of metals.
Universal machines that are used for any kind of work.

Important! The milling machine can process not only metal, but also products from other materials. This versatility is due to the vertical position of the milling part.

Home equipment design

A home unit for turning work differs from industrial designs in lower productivity. Spare parts for this small equipment of miniature dimensions. Structurally, small lathe for metal includes the following main nodes:

Front bollard: This is where the drive motor is located, which is started using a button on the front of the unit.
U-shaped rear pedestal: electrical equipment is located here, which carries out high-precision control of the machine. The control panel is located on its upper part. This part of the tool has great stability due to the stiffening ribs located at the bottom and top.
The main body of a turning tool is a frame or bed. It is fixed at the top of both pedestals, connecting them. The lead screw and rack are located in front, and the headstock moves along the rear.
The feed box is equipped with a control panel that sets the required thread pitch and feed. A handle is located near the console, which starts a propeller or a moving shaft.
Front lock (headstock): installed on the bed in a horizontal position, rotates the workpiece to be processed.
The rear retainer secures the fixture and acts as a stop center.
The spindle is a spare part located inside the front retainer.

Important! To ensure trouble-free operation, it is recommended to ensure that all parts of the equipment are treated with grease or oil.

Bench-type turning machines

Today, mainly imported units are produced. However, you can still find reliabletable lathes for metaltimes of the USSR.

Among them, the equipment of model 1M63 stands out for threading, manufacturing of cylindrical and conical blanks.

Among the advantages are high speed of threading, ease of operation and maintenance.

Another popular model of Soviet times - 1I611P, which is used for high-precision machining of parts made of any kind of metal. The disadvantage of this sample is its heavy weight.

Popular among imported machineshousehold table metal lathe Czech production PROMA SM-250E. It has a low cost (up to 30 thousand rubles), is used for the processing and manufacture of both metal and non-metal products. The maximum part length should be 250 mm, the diameter above the bed is 14 cm, and the diameter above the carriage is 7.6 cm. The equipment performs most of the necessary tasks, from threading to reaming.

The Chinese-made Profi-350 model is also popular. This is a powerful enough machine (up to 350 W), used for processing any materials. The maximum diameter of the product is 18 cm. This equipment has a lot of additional possibilities, including the execution of tasks of processing, grinding and sharpening tools.

Among the more expensive samples, the Metalmaster MML can be distinguished. This is a universal lathe with mechanical and electronic control. Spindle revolutions are taken into account by digital display. One of the advantages is that the equipment can handle long workpieces up to 55 cm.

Garage units

Car enthusiasts probably often wonderwhich lathe to choose for the garage.

Of the small-sized options, the PROMA SM-250E model can be distinguished. Equipment weight 35 kg, the ability to process products with a maximum length of 21 cm and a diameter of up to 140 mm.

In addition, this model is capable of grinding workpieces, knurling, sharpening tools.

Another metal lathe for garage - it is a Corvette 401 or 403. The smallest model is equipped with a 0.5 kW electric drive with an indicator of 2500 rpm. Thanks to the presence of an electronic system, the Corvette keeps the same speed at any speed. The maximum length of the part to be processed must be 20 cm.

Mini machines

Micro lathe characterized by its small size, allowing it to be placed on a miniature stand or table. They are installed in home or school workshops that are not intended for mass production.

Most famousschool lathe for metal Is a TV-6 model. It is intended for teaching turning and is used for simple tasks: preparing holes, cutting off parts of elements, trimming ends, tapping.

Its advantage is its ease of use, as well as the absence of the generation of volatile compounds and dust. This is due to the fact that only non-ferrous metals and steel can be used during operation.

The limitation of the length of the workpiece to be processed is 35 cm, the diameter - up to 20 mm.

Another model is the SM-300E. Differs in a small amount of power consumption, only 300 watts. It can be used to cut both metric and inch threads.

The maximum size of the workpiece diameter is 1.8 and 1.1 mm. This is not a multifunctional, but miniature (only 73x33x33 cm), easy to maintain and daily use, apparatus.

Rules for choosing home equipment

When choosing a turning unit for home use, you should pay attention to some recommendations that will help you acquire a reliable and functional unit:

Point of choice	Recommendation
Lathe power	The recommended motor power, which is sufficient for home use, is in the range of 0.5-0.7 kW. Equipment with a capacity of 1 kW or more is semi-professional.
Engine	It is recommended to choose models with an asynchronous motor, which provides a longer use of the unit.
The maximum value of the diameter of the workpiece	For domestic use, a diameter of up to 400 mm is sufficient.
Gear material	Instead of plastic, it is better to choose caprolon gears.
The presence or absence of roller bearings on the spindle	Due to the presence of rollers, high machining accuracy is achieved.
RPM speed	For the first gear: 0-1500, for the second - 0-2500.
Number of speeds	One or two
Front headstock type	It is preferable to choose a model with a through hole for grinding long parts.
Weight and dimensions	The dimensions should be comfortable for use in a small space, and the weight should be sufficient for the workbench to hold it firmly. The maximum recommended weight is 90 kg.
Power grid parameters	Usual mini lathe connected to a 220 V electrical network. Do not give preference to a unit operating from a three-phase network, so as not to lay additional wires.
Limb division step	The smaller the scale, the more accurate the equipment works.
Reverse	A useful but not required addition.
Additional equipment	It is more economical to purchase a model with a basic configuration and expand it in the future with the necessary equipment than to buy a unit in which they are already included.
Manual control of tool movement	Model with the ability to independently switch the direction of the cutter, is preferable.

In addition, you should pay attention to the following points:

Intensity of exploitation. If you plan to use the device rarely, you shouldn't choose a powerful model.
Accuracy of speed control: the more accurate it is, the more choice of materials to be processed and the better the processing.
The power of the unit will depend on the type of material used for work.

Advice! When choosing a machine, you should focus on Russian manufacturers: their products are easier and cheaper to operate, since service centers and spare parts with consumables are located in Russia.

An equally important criterion when choosing equipment is its lathe price.

Despite the fact that this is not a professional device, the price of a mini-machine can reach several hundred thousand rubles.

Therefore, you need to proceed from your financial capabilities.

You need to choose a machine with the necessary functions, but at the same time not the lowest price category.

In order for the equipment to serve for a long time and without interruption, it is necessary to properly service it before and after work:

Before starting up the unit, check if there are any problems. The launch is carried out only after the elimination of the breakdown.
The lead screw and the cutter slide must be lubricated with a special oil: daily for three or four hours of operation and twice a day for more intensive use.
As work is completed, shavings should be removed, the surface of the machine cleaned, and cutting tools removed from the equipment. All units are wiped dry and the drive belts are checked for wear.
The condition of the protective cover should be checked regularly.

Table lathe for metal - useful equipment for every home craftsman. Among the variety of models, you can choose the one that is suitable for certain parameters. It is important to remember that for long-term operation it is necessary to follow simple rules for servicing the machine.

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