Small metal lathe for the garage. Lathes for metal for the garage. Garage units

Metal parts are constantly needed to repair a car. Well, if the model is common, you can buy it. If the car is rare, you either have to wait a long time until they deliver it, or order production. In this case, you can buy 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 traders can see small screw-cutting lathes. Along with the processing of parts (grinding, drilling, milling, drilling of radial holes, etc.), they perform threading different type 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.

Are issued in two types — desktop and with a bed (floor). Desktop - small, with low weight (up to 200 kg) machines. It is easier for them to find a place in the garage. The disadvantage is that you cannot process large and heavy parts on them. Another point: due to their small mass, they are not always able to give out high processing accuracy.

Floor lathes (usually school ones) have a much larger mass and dimensions. For normal operation, a separate foundation must be made under them. Installation on vibration dampers is possible, but it is not easy to find them.

Lathe device

In order to choose a lathe, it is desirable to know its device, purpose, functions and possible parameters of each of the parts. 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 nodes, 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 crossbars to give greater rigidity. The caliper and tailstock move along the frame. For this purpose, guide sleds are machined on the frame. The tailstock moves along flat guides, the caliper - along prismatic ones. Very rare prism guides for the tailstock.

Lathe bed for metal - factory and homemade

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

Front (spindle) grandma

The headstock in modern lathes, most often, combines a workpiece 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 the regulator.

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

The main part of the headstock is a spindle, which on one side is connected to the electric drive pulley, on the other side it has a thread onto which the cartridges holding the workpiece are screwed. The accuracy of turning operations directly depends on the condition of the spindle. There should be no beats and backlashes in this knot.

Guitar gears - to transmit rotation and change its speed

In the headstock there is a system of interchangeable gears for transmitting and changing rotation to the gearbox shaft. When choosing a garage lathe, pay attention to the condition of the gears and the absence of spindle play. This affects the accuracy of workpiece processing.

tailstock

The tailstock is movable - it moves along the guides on the frame. 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. After that, the position of the tailstock is fixed 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 fixed on 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, turning cones.

caliper

The support of a lathe is a movable part on which tools for machining parts are attached. Thanks to the special design of this unit, the cutter can move in three planes. Horizontal movement is provided 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 latch that provides retention in a given position.

The holder of the cutter 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 cutter is inserted, which is fixed with bolts. On simple machines, the caliper has a special groove into which a recess is inserted on the bottom of the holder. This is how the cutting tool is fixed on the machine.

Garage lathe: parameters

First of all, determine the mass and type of connection. When choosing a mass, you should not strive to find the lightest machine. Very light ones do not give 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.

Too large lathes can not be installed in every garage, but small and medium ones are an excellent choice.

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

The diameter of the workpiece that can be processed on the machine. It is determined by the diameter of the processing above the bed and above the caliper.
Workpiece length. Depends on the move.
List of operations.
The maximum number of revolutions.
The adjustment method is smooth, stepped.
Possibility of reverse.

The dimensions of the workpieces 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 the garage too much, but you need to process the overall 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, PROMA SM-250E micro lathe for garage has dimensions of 540*300*270 mm and weight is 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. For the size, it's not that bad.

Mini lathes - they belong in the garage

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

surface grinding,
thread cutting;
drilling;
countersinking;
deployment.

It is also possible to grind parts, knurling, tool sharpening. The main operations, as you can see, are present. The disadvantage is that you cannot process any large parts on machines of this type. 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

Here the choice is not so wide, because both prices and mass 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 desktop version 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

Comparison of bench lathes:

All controls are located on the front panel. Smooth adjustment of spindle rotation in two ranges. Ranges are thrown over by belts. Right and left rotation of the spindle. Button for turning the spindle rotation on and off, as well as a table for setting the machine's guitar for metric and inch threads..png" height="492">

The display shows the spindle speed. The emergency stop button of the machine disables rotation and feed on the machine in case of an emergency..png" height="492">

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

It is possible to adjust the wedge strips that guide the tool posts..png" height="492">

All gears in the machine are metal

Two automatic longitudinal feeds..png" height="492">

The machine guides are hardened and ground..png" height="492">

Four-position tool holder for the installation of 4 incisors. The tool holder rotates and locks exactly perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the machine..png" height="492">

vendor code 50000911M.

Machine JET BD-8VS- belongs to the class of desktop lathes. The machine comes with a chip collection tray 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 caliper, this diameter is reduced to 135 mm. At the same time, the maximum processing length (RMC) is an impressive 400 mm.

The 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 desktop lathes.

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

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

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

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

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

Other models of machines are presented in the sections "Desktop lathes" and "Metal lathes".

A garage metal lathe is an indispensable tool for repairing small metal parts. In total there are several types, but not all are suitable for a garage room.

There are many manufacturers on the market necessary equipment, which differ both in their dimensions and in their functionality. To facilitate the choice, we will find out which garage lathe 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.

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 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 small details, the option with a desktop unit is perfect for this.

The desktop lathe for metal, in turn, is divided into 3 types:

turning and milling;
screw-cutting;
combined.

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

Modern bench lathes for the garage 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 machine for woodworking.

The home machine tool unit 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, it will be possible to perform the necessary operations with high quality;
ease of connection to the mains;
low power consumption compared to large models;
the ability to expand functionality by purchasing additional components.

Of the shortcomings of mini units, it is worth noting the most important one - a lower speed of work, 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 - numerical control.

Lathe device

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

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

frame - the base on which the remaining elements of the machine are installed and fixed;
engine and gearbox - provide rotation of the spindle and caliper;
headstock - serves to fix the object and rotate;
tailstock - another fixation element;
spindle - a metal shaft of the machine that promotes rotation;
caliper - clamp of the cutting tool.

bed

The bed is the main part of the 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 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 used for fixing. In addition, it contains a mechanism for switching 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 hand it has a thread for winding cartridges and fixing the workpiece.

The spindle is the most important component, since the performance of turning operations 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 of milling or turning during processing. It is a metal cylinder, firmly fixed on the body. In addition, in some models of the unit, the element allows you to attach various items: a drill, a tap, a reamer, and others.

The tailstock must meet certain requirements:

do not move spontaneously;
ensure a reliable position of the axis;
promote quick installation along the axis of the machine;
enable precise positioning of the workpiece on both center holes.

Garage Lathe Parameters

Scheme of a lathe.

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

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

Machine weight and size.
Here you should build on the possibilities of the garage space.
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 item should be taken into account. It hardly makes sense to make separate wiring for 380 V for a three-phase connection specifically for the machine. In some cases, it is possible to adapt the machine tool to connect to a three-phase network.
Unit details.
This point is especially important. You should pay attention to the components of the machine, especially the bed and caliper. They must be made of hard metal alloys.
Power.
For mini-units, usually the power indicator does not exceed 2.25 kW. There are also so-called low-power equipment with a drive power of 0.15 kW. 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, power up to 1 kW is enough.
Equipment.
When choosing a garage machine, you should focus on its specialization. Having bought a highly specialized device, you can make a mistake. Depending on the needs, it is better to buy a machine right away 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 be more economical, since you can buy additional fixtures as far as possible.
rotation frequency.
This factor depends on the metals to be processed. It is better to choose equipment with a wide range of speed adjustments, this will give the owner more options.

Mini machines

Lathes, which can be classified as desktop, have a mass of 15 kg and up to 200 kg. For garage use, mini machines weighing no more than 50 kg are perfect. 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 vibrate when working with parts, which, in turn, will affect the accuracy of work.

Floor options

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

For home use manufacturers offer desktop machines with which you can perform almost all types of turning work offered by a floor 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. For a garage room, desktop units are perfect.

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.

Also, do not buy 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 small copy industrial equipment and designed to perform simple tasks. With the help of desktop mini-machines, you can perform the following operations:

Mini metal lathe Proxxon FD 150/E

trimming ends;
thread cutting;
reaming;
turning surfaces of cylindrical and conical shape;
grooves and grooves;
trimming details.

Turning mini-installations for the home are divided by functionality and types of operations performed:

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

The screw-cutting microturning unit is equipped with a drilling chuck, with which you can:

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

On a screw-cutting machine, non-ferrous and ferrous metals can be processed.

The milling unit performs the following types of work:

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

Such a microlathe 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.

Description of the design of turning installations

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 lathe for metal, for example, Caliber SMT-400, can weigh 50 kg, while the power is 500 watts.

Bench lathes

The most common models of desktop units for the home:

Microlathe Proma DSO-1000 - Czech model. Characteristics:

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

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

Metal lathe Caliber SMT-400 Russian production. Characteristics:

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

Machine tool Caliber - screw, can perform all basic turning work. The caliber shows good results in the processing of parts from solid metals. Easy to find spare parts in case of breakdown.

Profi-350 - metal cutting machine: made in China

Profi-350 (China). Main characteristics:

power - 300 W;
electrical network - 220 V;
maximum length of the part - 35 cm;
weight - 54 kg;
speed - up to 3000 rpm;
cost - 23,000 rubles.

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

Models of lathes for the garage

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 provides training in schools and vocational schools. Characteristics:

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

power - 1 kW;
electrical network - 220 V;
maximum diameter of the workpiece - 20 cm;
weight - 280 kg;
speed - up to 710 rpm;
cost - 25,000 rubles.

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

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

For a garage, a Weiss metal lathe (China) is suitable:

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

Description and dimensions of mini-machines

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

Mini-machine JED BD-3. Characteristics:

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

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

Characteristics:

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

Mini plant Quantum D140x250 Vario

power - 450 W;
maximum length of the part - 25 cm;
maximum diameter of the workpiece - 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;
maximum length of the part - 25 cm;
maximum diameter of the workpiece - 18 cm;
dimensions - 350 * 325 * 760 mm;
weight - 40 kg;
speed - up to 3500 rpm;
the cost of a lathe Caliber is 41,900 rubles.

Lathe for home - how to choose?

In order to purchase a high-quality device that will serve for a long time, it is necessary to pay attention not only to specifications but also for specialization. Select in accordance with what work it is planned to perform on it.

More powerful models save time on processing the product, 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.

Asynchronous motor type is characterized by a longer service life.

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

It is better to give preference to models that can be upgraded and expand 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 free sale, and if there is a service center in the city.

Video: How to choose a desktop metal lathe

Often at home it is required to perform metal cutting for the manufacture of any product.Metal lathe for homeis a reduced analogue of the production sample.

Despite the lower productivity than industrial equipment, home machines 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 some metal part, but there is no necessary tools, or for this they are not enough. In this case, you have to apply for 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:

Application of internal and external threads with different frequency.
Boring the workpiece to the required dimensions.
Possibility to machine a cone or a cylindrical part.
Turning details.
End processing.
Drilling holes.
Reaming.
Hole reaming.
Grooving and notches.
Trimming details.

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

Home turning machine

Turning equipment for home use in terms of its functionality is an analogue of a machine that is installed in enterprises, but with its help only small parts and spare parts can be processed. However, this is enough for personal use.

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

Lathes for the home workshopequipped with a part that holds the cutter in the desired position. Depending on what type of work is being done, cutters and drills are replaced with suitable ones.

Advantages of home equipment:

Low level of energy consumption. To power a small desktop machine, it is enough to connect to a 220 V household electrical outlet.
The equipment can be adapted for connection to a three-phase network.
Reliability of the unit due to its uncomplicated design, which, in addition, provides long term operation.
Affordable cost compared to professional equipment.
Thanks to its compactness and low weight, the equipment is easily placed in the home workshop. There are not just small, but mini-machines that are very convenient for personal use.
The ability to expand the functionality after installing additional devices.
You can learn how to operate 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, grooving, trimming, threading.
Screw-cutting lathe for metal.It is used for turning and boring workpieces, cutting the outer and internal thread, the production of various recesses. They are characterized by minimal spindle runout, high cost, it can be used to process products from various kinds 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. Such versatility is due to the vertical position of the milling part.

home equipment design

The home unit for turning works differs from industrial designs in lower productivity. The spare parts of this small-sized equipment are miniature in size. Structurally, small metal latheincludes the following main components:

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

Important!In order for the work to be carried out smoothly, it is recommended to ensure that all parts of the equipment are treated with grease or oil.

Bench type turning machines

Today, mainly units are produced imported production. However, one can still find reliablebench metal lathes times of the USSR.

Among them, the equipment model 1M63 stands out for threading, manufacturing cylindrical and cone-shaped blanks.

Among the advantages are high speed thread cutting, easy operation and maintenance.

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

Popular among imported carshousehold desktop metal latheCzech production PROMA SM-250E. It has a low cost (up to 30 thousand rubles), it is used for processing and manufacturing both metal and non-metal products. The maximum length of the part should be 250 mm, the diameter above the bed - 14 cm, and above the support - 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 fairly powerful 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 features, including the tasks of processing, grinding and sharpening tools.

Among the more expensive samples, Metalmaster MML can be distinguished. This is a universal lathe with a mechanical and electronic type management. The spindle speed is taken into account by the digital display. One of the advantages is that the equipment can process long workpieces up to 55 cm.

Garage units

Car enthusiasts often wonderwhich lathe to choose for the garage.

Of the small-sized options, the PROMA SM-250E model can be distinguished. The weight of the equipment is 35 kg, the possibility of processing 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 garage metal lathe- this is the Corvette 401 or 403. The smallest model is equipped with an electric drive of 0.5 kW with an indicator of 2500 rpm. Thanks to the presence electronic system Corvette keeps the same speed at any speed. The maximum length of the part to be processed must be 20 cm.

Mini machines

Micro lathecharacterized by a small size that allows you to place it on a miniature stand or table. They are installed in home or school workshops that are not intended for mass production.

most famousschool metal lathe- This is a TV-6 model.It is designed to teach turning and is used to perform simple tasks: preparing holes, cutting off parts of elements, trimming ends, threading.

Its advantage is ease of use, as well as the absence of the production 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 processed workpiece is 35 cm, the diameter is up to 20 mm.

Another model is SM-300E. It features a small amount of power consumption, only 300 watts. It can cut both metric and inch threads.

The maximum value 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 operation device.

Rules for choosing home equipment

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

Item of choice	Recommendation
Lathe power	The recommended engine power, which is sufficient for home use, is in the range of 0.5-0.7 kW. Equipment with a power of 1 kW or more refers to semi-professional.
Engine	It is recommended to choose models with an asynchronous motor, which ensures a longer use of the unit.
Maximum workpiece diameter	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 processing accuracy is achieved.
Turnover speed	For the first gear: 0-1500, for the second - 0-2500.
Number of speeds	one or two
Headstock type, located in front	It is preferable to choose a model with a through hole for turning long parts.
Weight and dimensions	The dimensions should be convenient for use in a small room, and the weight should be sufficient for the workbench to firmly hold it. The maximum recommended weight is 90 kg.
Mains parameters	Normal mini latheconnects to the mains 220 V. Do not give preference to a unit operating from a three-phase network, so as not to lay additional wires.
Step divisions of the limbus	The smaller the division value, the more accurate the equipment works.
The presence of a reverse	Useful, but not required.
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 the kit of which they are already included.
Manual control of the movement of the cutter	A 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 the device is planned to be used rarely, you should not choose a powerful model.
Accuracy of speed control: the more accurate it is, the greater the 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, because service centres and spare parts from consumables are in Russia.

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

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 not the lowest price category.

In order for the equipment to serve for a long time and uninterruptedly, it is necessary to properly maintain it before and after work:

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

Bench lathe for metal- useful equipment for every home master. Among the variety of models, you can choose the one that suits certain parameters. At the same time, it is important to remember that for long-term operation it is necessary to perform simple rules machine service.

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