El Cheapo modelling machinery

[Davoski]

Hi guys,

I am interested to know if any of you have experience (or opinion) with this style of budget machine:

6-in-1 lathe/mill etc:

Or 3D printer:

They are both around US$140-$160 so I would not expect miracles but are they worth a try for home modelling or just rubbish?

I have not included links as I am not promoting these machines, they are each sold by dozens/hundreds of online stores.

 

Cheers

 

Davoski

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

With a free-shipping US price of $118, it's definitely worth looking into. My first impression is that it's more toy than tool. I COULD BE WRONG.

I read through the specs. It IS, naturally, Chinese, so replacement parts and support will probably be non-existent.

It's very small, with the footprint of the lathe setup being only about 11.5" X 5.5", with the mill / drill collets listed as being 1mm-6mm.

The 3-jaw lathe chuck will only go to 20mm, so that's a little on the small side if you really want to get into custom wheels for 1/24-1/25 or things in a larger scale.

The ways and slides are plastic, so that will limit rigidity which in turn limits accuracy.

The specs don't say anything about it coming with cutters or fixtures, so you might be on your own, and that could be a problem for some folks.

Still, for the low low price, even if it's only occasionally useful for turning very small parts, if used within its limits, it's probably at least worth experimenting with. Frankly, I have a 16mm lathe project right now that this thing could probably handle, so I might just have to try it out.

I hesitate though, because no specs are given for things like spindle-runout or flexibility of the ways. Something this small needs to be able to maintain accuracy of not more than .001" to be of any real use, and there's no way of knowing if this will do that.

[Crazy Ed]

   David this is worth just what you paid for it, but it's been my experience thay any time I bought a "Cheap" Tool because I couldn't afford the one I really wanted over time (and generally not a long time either) the price of the Cheap Tool was just added to the cost of the one I wanted because either the Cheap one died/broke or didn't do the job to the quality I wanted it to. My suggestion then is save up and get Quality First, 'cause you'll end up saving Money in the end.

[John Clutch]

The biggest issue with any "toy" machinery is the quality of the spindle bearings. Give the spindle a tug to see if there is any slop anywhere, before starting it up. There should be none. Run the machine at half speed for 5 minutes or so with no load on it. While its running, put your hand over the head stock (where the spindle bearings are supported) and see if any heat is building up. A good bearing will run cool a long time. If it gets warm, the bearing tolerance is usually too tight. If its nice and cool, thats a good sign IF..........you turn the machine off and check the spindle bearing slop. If you have no slop cold, slop when hot, then the bearings tolerances are too loose (bearing outer race is too thin), and youre almost guaranteed a poor finish on whatever your cutting. If its loose when cold, tight warm, then the ball bearings are either too small or not enough lube)

DONT run the machine hot. I have a Microlux 7x16 lathe that starts to get warm after 20 minutes or so, and Im very critical about running it. Thats me though. I know people who run this lathe and the grizzly units for hours on end and dont have issues.

If you plan on running the unit for long periods of time, I suggest you save your money and get a decent unit instead. Just by looking at the pics I wouldnt run it longer than 15 minutes or so. Its a domino effect, if you have vibration at the spindle, it will transfer to the rest of the unit and it will slowly start eating itself.

If the rest of the unit is right, you shouldnt have issues. Just stay on top of the gibbs.

[John Clutch]

Oh. And if there is no gibbs/gib plate to adjust, you can forget about all together.

[The Creative Explorer]

Ask CrazyCrank,

 

I think he is using one, I believe I saw it in his project topic in the Big Boys section, about a Bugatti.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Ask CrazyCrank,

I think he is using one, I believe I saw it in his project topic in the Big Boys section, about a Bugatti.

Excellent reference. Thread HERE:   http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/116103-pocher-bugatti-type-50-coupé-de-ville-a-resurrection/

He says specifically " This is almost a toy for me now, and inadequate for a precise job"

So there you go.

[The Creative Explorer]

jup, that;s the one and I think he concludes it well....

[10thumbs]

David, I say as well, better to stay away from it.  That machine offers a lot of functions, it just can't be that the whole deal is worth it.

Real quality machines cost that much at least, in each of the single functions.

Consider exactly what you need for now, then please buy quality, even if used, good machines can be had for not much money.

[my66s55]

As to the 3d printer, forget it. It is the wrong technology and won't give you anything you can use without extensive fixing up and positively nothing small or detailed. That's not taking into consideration that you need a printable file.

[Chariots of Fire]

I would not waste my money.  Save up and buy something better.  I've used a Sherline lathe for years now and it has served me well.  When I bought it I think it was around $400 but that was quite a while ago.  As far as the 3D printer is concerned forget it.  You won't get anything that is worth printing for model building.  Your best bet is to go on line to a place like Shapeways and see what is offered there.  There are many 3D designers out there who have the software to make just about anything.  They then send it to Shapeways for printing.  I had some 1/32 scale front end loader tires and some 1/25 scale 11:00 x 20 truck tires made that way and they turned out great. BTW the printer is not all you would need.  You need a 3D graphics program as well to create the proper images.