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Author Topic: Are these lathes any good?  (Read 574 times)

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Offline TexasMac

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Are these lathes any good?
« on: June 19, 2003, 05:02:52 PM »
I have the opportunity to bid on three well used industrial lathes, but don't know a lot about them. I was wondering if some of you experienced gunsmiths/machinest could comment. They are:
San Juan SNG 1850A Lathe
MSC 14-40G Gap Bed Lathe with Scales
Monarch 21241 with 20.5 turning radius, 48" between centers.

Thats all the details I know at this time. I'm not a machinest but haved used some very high quality industrial lathes many years ago. I have the room for a large one and have always wanted a good lathe for metal work, some shadetree gunsmithing, etc.. I have the time to clean one up and refurbish it if necessary.

Wayne
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Offline bfoster

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Are these lathes any good?
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2003, 07:55:28 PM »
Monarch has made some of the best lathes in the world for a long time. The parts situation there is quite good.

But with anyused lathe, condition is more important than brand. If the ways are worn and the lathe is generally "tired" you'll find it worthwhile to look farther. Most small parts are priced within reason, but look very carefully lest you get into a situation where you have to get the ways rescraped: this isn't a task that can be done for a few hundred bucks anymore.

Bob
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