Testing A Cheap Chinese Mini Metal Lathe: Is It Worth It?!

День тому

I unbox, setup and troubleshoot an inexpensive Chinese mini metal lathe from Vevor. I cover the process of how to set gib screws, what is involved in assembling a hobby metal lathe, discuss if it's is worth buying as well as cover testing the accuracy of these Vevor hobby lathes. I also turn a nut and bolt from brass hex stock as a first project that you can do, with no experience at all! It can be daunting learning a new skill, however this shows just how easy it is to get into and give you the confidence to do so and open your home workshop up to a world of endless possibilities!
US Website: s.vevor.com/bfQIZr
AU Website: s.vevor.com/bfQF25
CA Website: s.vevor.com/bfQIZG
5% Off Discount Code: VV5A
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Any links to products are likely to affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases with no additional costs to you. Thank you!
00:00 Vevor Mini Metal Lathe
00:53 Unboxing a Chinese mini lathe
01:34 Overview of the mini lathe
02:01 Thread cutting on a metal lathe
03:20 How to set gib screws on a metal lathe
04:25 How to make a carriage lock
05:05 How accurate is a Chinese mini lathe?
06:05 How to make a nut and bolt on a metal lathe
09:15 Is it worth buying a Chinese mini lathe?
#chineselathe #hobbylathe #vevor #fabrication #machining #smallenginerepair #minimetallathe

КОМЕНТАРІ: 253

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

If this video helped you, please consider clicking on the THANKS button above to support my channel 🙌

@308dad8 3 місяці тому

If they don’t have pins that go in the holes on certain nuts they are NOT spanners.

@308dad8 3 місяці тому

My problem with that lathe is it’s smaller and less accurate than my Craftsman from the 60’s. It does have better controls though but I think for the money better chucks and some change gears would be a better investment for me if I will keep a tiny lathe that’s so limited in use

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

@@308dad8 👍

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

@@308dad8 👍👍

@alcidesferreira8119 2 місяці тому

Valor

@My_Gaming_Mind 5 місяців тому

You should watch artisan makes videos on his mini lathe, he has a well documented series on which upgrades one should make to these mini lathes.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Awesome thanks! I’ll check him out

@HaddaClu Місяць тому

@@VintageEngineRepairsanother great channel to check out would be ThisOldTony. He did a few mini lathe videos about five or so years ago, and even made some upgrades like replacing the nylon gears with homemade replacement metal ones.

@beingthere597 5 місяців тому

Quite refreshing to see such a helpful and honest review. And thanks for your honesty regarding how you received this item. I have wanted to acquire a small lathe for years. Still not sure the need would justify the expense for me, but good to know that such items are available. Good job demonstrating something I have experienced with Chinese tools: usually they will do the job, but often require tweaking and modification to take them from junk to functionality.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks for the kind words! You’ve nailed it. It’s a good lathe but does require a bit of work to tweak and get it right! It’s a cost vs time thing :)

@taxicamel 4 місяці тому

Well, I'm definitely not going to waste any time watching the entire video. Watching you lift the entire lathe at 0:54 and put it onto the table top, you appear to be relatively fit and strong. That machine is UNDER 100lbs. AT 1:21 ...gears are plastic. And the drive train gears at 2:04 ...plastic. Showing the half-nut engaging at 3:18 ...I see no thread-dial indicator. The slop in the cross-slide and top slide at 3:23 is ridiculous. Correcting this should NOT be required from the factory. You do NOT need a lathe to use a threading die. Just when I thought the video was really bad....use a threading die??? But, from what I understand ....this is a $500 lathe .....you got for free to do a review on it? Well, if it was FREE ....your review is very clearly bias. THIS MACHINE IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. IT IS PIECE OF JUNK. Your "threading" actually did NOT test the threading capability ....which is 100% impossible to do on this machine .....because there is no thread-dial indicator!! .

@seanb250 4 місяці тому

@@taxicamelhow would you turn down that piece of stock to make that bolt? So what that he used a die, he has just showed the basic function and flaws of a $500 lathe.

@PatrickKQ4HBD Місяць тому

@@taxicamel Whenever I finish my shop, a cheap mini lathe is my first purchase. I have very little interest *at my current level* for cutting custom single point threads. I'll purchase a tap and die set for that function. Its main job will be turning pins and bushings for other projects. Some day I might want to upgrade, but for now, initial startup cost is my overriding factor.

@rtkracht 5 місяців тому

Good video… I bought the same and after having to replace the low/high gear box gears finally purchased a set of metal gears. It’s a little noisy but has not failed me yet and the machine reliability is meeting my expectations.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Great to hear. I’ll swap them out with metal when they fail :) I’ll get a spare belt just in case too.

@Alec9821 4 місяці тому

I’ve had a bit of stuff from vevor and have been impressed with the value. Especially the plasma cutters

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Thanks for sharing!

@HobbyMotorDK 5 місяців тому

Good one Tom - Nice positive and honest review 👍👍

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks Claus! Much appreciated mate!

@LTVoyager 4 місяці тому

Nice review. A little more detail on how you shimmed the unit would have been interesting.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Thanks for watching and the feedback :)

@rockharvey5787 4 місяці тому

Good on Vevor to ask you for an honest review, not just a promotion.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

As soon as they said I could I agreed to it. I have been approached by other companies where I was expected to give positive ones and I refused right away. I used the lathe just a few hours ago and once again it’s holding within a micron or two over 5cm. It’s been brilliant. You will need to spend a bit of time just going over and setting it up; but it’s well worth it!

@HUNTSMARTFASTHARD 5 місяців тому

Awesome review mate, straight up and honest. Cheers.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks mate! Much appreciated :)

@Abmotsad 4 місяці тому

I made mounts for exhibit displays. I had the Harbor Freight version. Lasted for years and was perfectly adequate for my needs. If you accept what these tiny, inexpensive machines are for, you won't be disappointed. If you're trying to machine a Saturn V rocket engine, you'll come up short.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

That’s cool :) thanks for sharing your experience!

@Big_Johns 5 місяців тому

I've never used a lathe before Tom but your video was very interesting. The nut and bolt turned out really good. 👍

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks John! Much appreciated mate :)

@taxicamel 4 місяці тому

You do know that the actual "threading" was NOT done by the lathe don't you. He used a tap and die for the threading. It was only turning material to the proper O.D. AND I.D. was done with a drill bit. .

@Big_Johns 4 місяці тому

Yes I do, thanks.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Upload a video and show us how it’s done

@ronbunker5778 3 місяці тому

Great tutorial and review! Thanks, I've ordered one!

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Awesome, enjoy, I can’t stop making things on mine. I machined a broken part for a chainsaw oil pump the other day, a high carbon steel punch to a size I didn’t have and a custom bolt to fix a saw. All in all couple days haha

@ronbunker5778 3 місяці тому

I can hardly wait!

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

@@ronbunker5778 grab a cheap set of feeler gauges just in case you need to shim anything :)

@ronbunker5778 3 місяці тому

Will do, thanks for tip.@@VintageEngineRepairs

@Grumpy-by1ui Місяць тому

I've had one for a few years, with a few mods it's a handy part of my toolkit. Improving the gibs and upgrading the motor to a 600w brushless sewing machine motor, with the usual bearing mods have made it good even for little mild steel projects.

@VintageEngineRepairs Місяць тому

Thanks for sharing :)

@almclean4835 5 місяців тому

Nice review Tom. As you say plenty good enough for a hobbyist. I can see a purpose built workshop next for a full size lathe and milling machine😁

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks Al! I’d love a milling attachment :)

@barryewalt3250 5 місяців тому

Very interesting video as always Tom

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thank you Barry!

@wordreet 4 місяці тому

Nice video mate. A handful of years ago I purchased a Toyo M1 micro (desktop sized) lathe. It's basic, requiring the drive belt to run in different pulleys to alter the spindle speed. But at the time I was playing with model planes, so I wanted to make plastic or ally bits and pieces, so it;s been ideal so far! I'm actually a precision mill setter, but did start off with lathes as a job. So the mini one is good fun! Could do with new bearings is all.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Awesome to hear :) thanks for sharing!

@markpinther9296 4 місяці тому

What a fantastic video. I have wanted a cheap metal lathe for so long, afraid of the unknown I guess.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Couldn’t agree more, I was pleasantly surprised!

@jamesjudd6577 2 місяці тому

Nice review. Enjoyed it :)

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

Awesome! It’s been so handy. I can’t stop using it lol

@steveskouson9620 4 місяці тому

I still remember my first lathe project. It was a 7/16 14 bolt and nut. Single point. 1973, I was 15. steve

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Nice!

@jcondon1 5 місяців тому

Looks like a great tool. The possibilities are endless. Well made review.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks James! Much appreciated mate 👍

@tinkeringtaylor3053 5 місяців тому

Well done Tom, great video and a really good review , well done on the nut and bolt turned out well, only small lathe i ever seen working was my uncles homemade one, he had it to turn out parts for his small steam engines parts, and him and his friend had a bigger one for the vintage tractor parts 💪👍

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks Nev and that’s awesome! Yes perfect for model engine parts!! :)

@spyseefan975 3 місяці тому

the guys in the old yoyoforums had a really good guide for buying/building a metal lathe. was around 350 iirc, but this was like 15 years ago.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Ha cool :)

@treecycle4631 5 місяців тому

Great rundown of the goods and bads and improvements. Have you tried turning some metal held between the chuck and tailstock centre and checking for taper? Shimming your headstock like you did may have overcome one problem but may have introduced another one if the tailstock is not adjustable sideways (maybe it is, can't see).

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Hey! Thanks for the kind words! Yes I have done, it’s still very good (relatively) it’s a hobbyist lathe of course! About 0.005mm per cm with tail stock!

@kaptein1247 3 місяці тому

Had a machine like this at school. Only ever used it for drilling holes. After about a year you could see it was already starting to wear a little. But for the money you cant really complain. And they still keep their value

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Cool! Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy mine. I can imagine at school it wasn’t well cared for and heavily used?

@kaptein1247 3 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs wasnt cared for at all. We had another classroom with very high grade machinery, also cnc stuff. But that was for the machinists. They just bought something to let us get a bit familiar with the basics of a lathe. Since we were metalworkers it wasnt very relevant to us

@Mouts65 2 місяці тому

I would love to find out more about how you shimmed the headstock. I have the exact lathe and have been trying to solve the tapper issue for a year now.

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

Hey, you take off the headstock and place a shim in on the v-groove depending on which side you want the head to twist, bolt it down, make a cut in some metal and measure taper :) keep shimming until there is no taper

@YoutubePremium-oc6bh 3 місяці тому

Thank you for this review! How loud is it though? Is it countryside workshop loud or quiet enough for an apartment for daytime use?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

It’s quiet enough for apartment nighttime use! I use it at 3am and have attached houses either side. It’s incredibly quiet. A slight hum. When you engage the lead screw it’s a bit louder. Grease the gears to quiet them down

@usevisine3198 3 місяці тому

Spring airgun shooters and tuners love this lathe.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

That’s awesome!

@edgarsreinholds5931 3 місяці тому

How did you shim the head stock? I have the same problem. Mounting to a solid base and shimming that helped but still have some taper

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Just use feeler gauges :)

@timmontano8792 4 місяці тому

I started out with a mini lathe many years ago, then I slowly graduated from that to a 9x19 and then a full-sized gunsmithing lathe. (same with the mini mill. I went to a CNCmill) Anyway, I sold my full sized machines thinking I'd never need them again after retiring from the work force. Boy was I wrong. Now I'm thinking of buying another Mini Lathe and I was wondering. On my larger lathes they had a dial indicator that would spin around on a circular gauge which indicated the exact time in which to engage the half-nut when cutting threads. I don't see any kind of dial on these Vevor mini lathes that would indicate when to engage the half-nut when cutting threads. How does one time the engagement of the half-nut without these indicator dials in place?

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Hey! No there isn’t that dial, the way to cut threads in this case is to never disengage the half nut. There is likely a better way, but I will take a pass, when I get to the end of the threads, stop the machine, turn out the cross slide, set the machine in reverse, start the machine, set it in forward, turn the cross slide in to where it was and then slightly deeper and then repeat. It’s annoying, but with some practise it’s easy.

@dnomyarnostaw 4 місяці тому

I wonder if you could make metal replacement gears on this lathe to replace the plastic ones that come with the kit. ?

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

I’m sure someone could, but I’d just buy them, they’re not expensive :)

@dnomyarnostaw 4 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs I noticed the more expensive Vevor lathes had metal gears.

@pontiacg445 3 місяці тому

@@dnomyarnostaw Get the 8x machine instead of the smaller 7x for not much more money. Then, it has no drive gears, all belt driven. Metal change gears for the lead screw are unnecessary, I use 3d printed ones and have no problem.

@EngineVids 5 місяців тому

Im surprised how good you with it considering you've never used one before, i bought a 1958 myford ml7 to start but i hated it could not work it (it was mostly worn out for a beginner) i sold it and i bough a cheap drummond round bed but has no power feed as someone has sawn it off but i dont think i need it, ive not attempted to use it to make things yet as its so hard for me to operate lathes.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks for the kind words and for sharing :) much appreciated!

@Mac-mu9cs 3 місяці тому

Should have tried thread cutting with the lathe. Interesting use of cut off tool for facing.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

I have done since, it works beautifully!

@d.l.horton2093 3 місяці тому

I just want to thread some barrels. But I don't know what I would do with it after that? But I think I would find something that seems loose and needs faced.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

I haven’t stopped making things on mine 🤣

@user-pt9yk9gg3i 2 місяці тому

Well, that would be interresting to actually make the bolt thread with the lathe. Wonder if you can do it (and what thread range are allowed - both metric and imperial) on this machine ?

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

You can and I have, yes :)

@PaulAnthony2009 3 місяці тому

Can you detail how you adjusted the headstock ? Thanks

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Yep, just take the 4 bolts off, place the feeler gauge on the V in the side you want to move the head stock away from. Tighten down, machine a length, measure and re-adjust.

@ulbed 3 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs OK, but after I tightened the screws, how the heck do I get the feeler gauge out?

@pontiacg445 3 місяці тому

@@ulbed You don't. Buy some shim stock and just leave it in there.

@neilb6029 4 місяці тому

Would this be got enough to do mild steel? I got a feeling it wouldn't be.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Yes it is, lots of videos on cutting steel

@2000jago 3 місяці тому

Would love to buy one... But they won't ship to me :( (I'm in Thailand). I even offered to order from their Australian warehouse which is much closer AND pay all shipping and taxes, still... no can do. Great customer service right there :(

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

If that’s true, that’s not good!

@2000jago 3 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs It IS true, and I have the emails to prove it. What annoys me is that at no point during the account creation process is it mentioned that "We don't ship to southeast Asia", no,... you have to go through the whole process, create an account, put the item in your cart, go to check out, fill in all your address and payment information and right at the very end are you told that the item is not available in my region. I additionally tried to buy a TIG welder from Vevor to no avail. I opened a support ticket in the hope that someone would assist me, but this is the reply I got: Dear customer, Thank you for your interest in our product. We do not sell our products to Thailand and therefore we are unable to offer you this product. For both our US and Australian sites, we can only deliver to the address of the corresponding country, i.e. orders placed from US addresses can only be delivered to the US and Puerto Rico. Orders placed in Australia can only be delivered to Australian addresses. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. If you have any further issues, please feel free to contact us. Best Wishes Ada

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

Ah I’m sorry to hear that!!

@frenchcreekvalley 4 місяці тому

Doesn't shimming the headstock make it sit higher above the V way?

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Marginally, I adjusted the tail stock to match.

@superloopy24v 3 місяці тому

I've looked at lathe's in the past several times too, but yet to buy. I'm pretty sure this is the same lathe sold by multiple different suppliers with multiple different brand names/colour schemes. Toolstation, Machine Mart(Clarke), Draper, Sealey, and probably plenty of names I've never heard of too. That probably means it's made in China so if you want one, might be worth just buying it from China at a fraction of the cost. Could probably add the drill/mill that is available for it and still pay less than one of the known UK vendors(re-sellers).

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Yep lots of versions re-branded.

@ndk2k4 3 місяці тому

it doesnt have a feed feature to cut the threads using the lathe instead of using a dye?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Yes it does, the lead screw and gears

@williamemerson1799 5 місяців тому

I have zero experience with these things but from what I've seen and read, many folks replace the nylon gears with metal ones. Should find them online. 👍🍻

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Yeah I heard that some people do, I’ll probably do the same when they wear out. Thanks for sharing :)

@pontiacg445 3 місяці тому

@@Grauenwolf I had a 7x lathe with the headstock gears and now have the 8x with the belt drive and 1100W BLDC (and 1.5" spindle bore!) I would never get another 7x lathe since the cheap 8x lathes started becoming more common.

@mr1pearl 5 місяців тому

COOL !

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Glad you enjoyed it!

@TheMailmanOfSteel 3 місяці тому

Looks good enough to make a Sten or homebrew... "solvent traps"... and whatnot.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

I’m not sure what they are, sorry!

@kimmer6 3 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs Haha, that might be a good thing depending on where you live! My Chinese lathe of that design was bought in 1997 for $260 and holds plus or minus 1/16''. It's still very useful as I make sleeves and spacers for my projects with no regard for precision. It turns plastic parts quite nicely. The cog drive belt is so worn that it sometimes skips teeth. Cheers!

@serhiyranush4420 2 місяці тому

How in the world do you adjust the cross slide by ajdusting the top slide travel???!!!!

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

You’ve lost me mate?

@serhiyranush4420 2 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs The most noticeable is the cross slide play, but you adjust the top slide. On the second take I saw the play in the top slide too, but not nearly as big as in the cross slide.

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

Oh! Yea I did do it, just not on camera, tricky to get the camera in there :)

@billyrobertson7835 4 місяці тому

why did you use the die to cut the external threads instead of the lead screw?

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Because it was much quicker. I’d use the lead screw if I wanted a unique diameter piece threaded

@billyrobertson7835 4 місяці тому

gotcha @@VintageEngineRepairs

@barry7608 3 місяці тому

Thanks much appreciated, I've been thinking of a lathe but like you its all about $$$ however that little fella won't break the bank. Re music, I hate videos that play music for several reasons, its often very narrow in its 'appeal', often too loud, and even tho' you can mute its sometimes interspersed with talking HOWEVER a few people get it right and yours did....not loud or headbang just right, thumbs up.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

That’s awesome thanks for all that feedback, I really appreciate!!

@nickking8317 4 місяці тому

Would this be ok for building bikes and repairing+ restoring them?

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

It all depends on the size of parts you need :)

@nickking8317 4 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs they’re pretty small

@miky-275 4 місяці тому

To lock the carriage for facing cuts. Just make sure the lead screw is disengaged and lock the half nut. Then the carriage won’t move 👍👍

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

I haven’t heard about that, but haven’t tried it! I just preferred to make one. Thanks for sharing!

@MartysRandomStuff 4 місяці тому

I tried this when I first got my mini-lathe and it does work but I ended up adding a true carriage lock just like in this video, surface finish improved after adding the lock. Also added locks to the cross and compound slides.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Good to know it’s worth the time to make one :)

@MrTimmmers 3 місяці тому

Thread a bar, bend it, make it a simple locking lever for your slide lock? If you cut a lot of threads this guy has a nice idea of a simple home made aid for that. Remember that tool post can hold some workpieces while the chuck holds a slot drill or end mill, then you have a simple milling machine, maybe cutting keyways or simple milling cuts. :)

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Spot on mate :) yes I have done some shaping with the lathe! I made some awesome cheese head and fillister head bolts that way :) cuts a perfect slot!

@VK2FVAX 3 місяці тому

Anyone know where I can get spare parts for mine? The controller pcb stopped working. I politely emailed Vevor to ask where to buy spares and never replied. :(

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Just google PCB board Chinese mini lathe and you’ll see they’re everywhere. It’s very generic. Just match it up. :)

@rorymax8233 3 місяці тому

good video.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Thank you.

@MarioRod57 3 місяці тому

Can you do standard threads

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

You’ll have to check with Vevor, I presume the lathes they sell in USA will me standard, metric countries will be metric

@peterpitre9736 4 місяці тому

Put your tap and die sets in the drill chuck so they are for sure straight

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

I don’t have a tool / adapter for it, but good advise if you can!

@user-gt3xz6wo3o 5 місяців тому

Hi bro. Isn’t 650w not enough power?

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

It’s got a great little motor 👍

@LilMissMurder3409 3 місяці тому

Looks identical to the one This Old Tony hacked about some years ago. Down to the POM gears.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Yep! I love his content. It’s fantastic!

@kevinkant6817 5 місяців тому

Can that make watch screws?

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Absolutely!

@qwertyui90qwertyui90 4 місяці тому

can one of these cut 316 stainless steel ?

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Yep! Lots of videos online of it cutting many different stainless steels!

@hobonickel840 3 місяці тому

how large Is that main bearing thru hole on the opposite side where gearbox is... will the butt of a cue stick pass through it?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Hey, I believe it’s 20mm / just under an inch in diameter mate 👍

@hobonickel840 3 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs Thank you!! I think that might be a bit too small just going by fact that Taig 5c headstock is 1.77 in

@Zebra66 Місяць тому

I'd have to replace those plastic gears and that weak DC motor. Once I had an AC motor with a VFD and metal gears I'd want to make a longer bed so I could turn something useful like a 29" rifle barrel. I can't see any reason to spend hours making screws that cost $0.50... I'd probably replace the whole base with epoxy granite to stop the chatter for those heavier cuts. In fact... it would probably be easier, quicker and cheaper to start from scratch as a diy project.

@VintageEngineRepairs Місяць тому

Cool, yeah, there seems to be lots of mods you can do and tutorials online. I have done a few and have found it to be a great little machine!

@cecilhohimer3651 5 місяців тому

I wish could get one I'm trying to restore old farm equipment some parts are hard to find or cost to much to get someone to make or repair on SS income

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Yeah it is a handy tool!!

@EleanorPeterson 4 місяці тому

It occurs to me that anyone who's put off by the thought of having to fettle and adjust a new bit of workshop equipment might not have what it takes to be a proper home machinist [I'm kidding]. Rather than spending a fortune and expecting everything to be perfect, I think that fiddling about and improving stuff is half the fun of it! My own preference was never to buy new (I couldn't afford anything decent, anyway) but to get hold of something old and worn that was in need of restoration. I remember getting an ancient Myford - it took me over 6 months to revive it, but it was time well spent. I liked the old-school approach to construction - brass, steel, bronze and cast iron instead of the aluminium, nylon and plastic that goes into most modern low-cost machines. I can undertand the desire to have something brand new, though. The only piece of vital equipment in my workshop that was new was the kettle... ☕👀 Cheers!

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Thanks for sharing 👍

@andrewcurrie101 4 місяці тому

Ahh I was hopeful you were going to single point thread the bolt.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Sorry I didnt! Hope you enjoyed it anyway :)

@PopaAlexandru. 5 місяців тому

Please let me know how long it lasted until the first repair. He kept me going until the fifth or sixth processed piece. I wanted to buy a TOS MN80 (made in Czechoslovakia) or even SP80 (made in Romania); SP 80 is the clone of MN80. Even the clone is superior to the Chinese lathes. It has a cast iron chassis, steel gears. Cast iron is suitable for lathe chassis because it does not vibrate. The chassis of Chinese lathes is made of steel and the steel vibrates. In addition, the variable speed in cheap models is obtained by adjusting the phase angle. It requires a simple control electronics, but torque is lost at low revs. Through the converter (VFD) the torque is kept constant. You can find out if it has a frequency converter or phase control according to the type of electric motor - if the motor is three-phase it is with VFD and if it is with brushes it is phase control.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

It’s a brushed motor on here, I’ll keep everyone updated with how it goes :) thanks for sharing all that info!

@PopaAlexandru. 5 місяців тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs If it's brushed, then bad luck... maybe later you'll try to replace it with a three-phase asynchronous motor and a VFD with +50% motor power. (quasi-original - expensive) Another option would be to outsource the engine + multiple pulleys - like in column drilling machines (cheap and fast option but takes up space).

@PopaAlexandru. 5 місяців тому

@@stevedavey1343I used a Chinese lathe. And an SP80 ... I know exactly what I'm saying. In Chinese you can process only at high speed, at low speed yes with a comma. SP80 has a 300W three-phase motor and multiple pulley.

@charlieward7606 2 місяці тому

why didnt you use the lathe to cut the threads?

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

You can! Though it’s much more time consuming changing gears and the process. For standard threads I recommend using taps and dies if you have them on hand. My opinion is that cutting threads is best kept for non standard sizes.

@charlieward7606 2 місяці тому

i see, thank you for your answer@@VintageEngineRepairs

@jeffwhite9392 3 місяці тому

Purchased this exact lathe 4 years ago and gave it the basket case treatment I'd normally use for a clapped out 50 year old motorcycle ... Required a total strip and rebuild to be usable as I think every scrap casting & component was inserted as some psychological testing during Covid to see if myself and many other victims would crack . U-tube has many victims of this cruel joke and I did everything and more to make mine work . The jokes on Vevor cause I'm still sane and me lathes an absolute corker ( now ) I also know too much about cheap mini lathes so there's that . I noticed they sent you one ; and still didn't get it right . You didn't even find the entrance to the rabbit hole one gets sucked into cuzzy ...

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

LOL this is so funny I was laughing as I read it. Thanks for sharing!

@jlippencott1 3 місяці тому

I have the Harbor Freight version of this lathe. The parallelism of the ways to the spindle axis is almost perfect - within a few thousands in six inches. Anything worse should be totally unacceptable and a clue that the manufacturer took little interest in their quality control and respect for their customers. This “feature” is the most important parameter in a metal lathe and should be considered an indicator of the overall quality of their products.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Thanks for sharing

@dadgarage7966 4 місяці тому

This is a very ubiquitous lathe. Thousands exist and there's plenty of support. I use mine to make pins, washers, sleeves and bushings for repair and general use (nothing complex). It's limitation is its, surprise, size and spindle torque. But for a small workspace, it's ideal.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Thanks for sharing your experience!

@serhiyranush4420 2 місяці тому

Yep. It will cut brass no problem. But how about steel?

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

Yes very well! You can’t cut really deep cuts, but I have happily made tooling from hardened steels like punches as well as from 1045

@serhiyranush4420 2 місяці тому

@eEngineRepairs I know it will. I cut lots of it on mine. It's just that you did not show it, and it's the most interesting part.

@VintageEngineRepairs 2 місяці тому

Ah I see, gotcha, thanks for the feedback, you’re quite right, it would have been good to cut steels on camera for people to see 👍

@BedsitBob 4 місяці тому

The thing really missing from these mini lathes, is a threading dial. Yes, you can thread without a threading dial, but it's a real PITA.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

It is! I agree 👍

@HarryJarrell 4 місяці тому

Mine had a threading dial.

@MartysRandomStuff 4 місяці тому

@@HarryJarrell Mine also came with one but I don't bother using it, I find it's faster to just reverse the motor and drive it back to the start. But most of the time I'm not cutting more than about an inch or 2 of thread.

@farmerjackson709 5 місяців тому

I would add a bit of grease on them gears

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

I just used oil, but I bet grease would work a treat.

@BSSMALLENGINES 5 місяців тому

@@VintageEngineRepairsTom Chainsaw bar oil works great it sticks to the gears better

@markissboi3583 3 місяці тому

venor $923.00 E/bay $599.00 make your own using a drill bench press $140 3 jaw chuck $60 + this be handy > compound table $50 temu steel & aluminum weeks mucking about @@

@markissboi3583 3 місяці тому

6W 20000RPM Upgraded Mini Metal Lathe Machine Motorized Metalworking DIY Tool - $250.00 this is small only for hobby parts brass aliminium etc

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Thanks for watching

@mitchstaff8281 Місяць тому

You are running a taper partially because you have that part out too far. Also did you indicate the initial piece in before you even started cutting?

@VintageEngineRepairs Місяць тому

Hey :) thanks for the feedback, I tried different stick out multiple times and it was the same. After the correction it’s now spot on :)

@gdutfulkbhh7537 3 місяці тому

The amount of slop is alarming, but like a lot of things that come out of China, if you have the skills to rectify the mistakes, you can make it useful. Even so, I’d prefer something like a Denford, bought used from a college that doesn't want it any more.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Even an expensive lathe require regular gib adjustment

@Markkg1 3 місяці тому

Good video for general information. but unfortunately Some very bad practices. Get many metal splinters and burrs in your fingers ?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Na not one.

@lup7271 3 місяці тому

I'm guessing it can't into steel?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Absolutely, I have turned grade 8.8 bolts, 1045 steel as well as high carbon tool steel!

@raystarky3896 3 місяці тому

Great video! But if you decide to order one of these LATHES do not order it with NYLON GEARS, I dont care how strong the nylon gears will be they will wear faster than the metal gears ORDER the lathe with METAL GEARS. ALSO i believe the company still offers the option of 220volt or 110volt IS that you show decide what will be the immediate advantage and disadvantages of the voltage you will require

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

The gears are quiet and hold up well for many years. I don’t see them as an issue.

@keesstam909 4 місяці тому

You should srcew the lathe to the table.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

That’s good advise, I’m not set on its final place yet though.

@britishtechguru 4 місяці тому

How about those mini lathes - those going for about $100 - $250. The so-called jeweler's lathes.Those look pretty interesting.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

They could be good fun! I haven’t tried one

@britishtechguru 4 місяці тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs I'm almost tempted

@drxym 3 місяці тому

Someone should intentionally sell a bootstrap lathe - a lathe which is deliberately crap but just about adequate to manufacture pieces that improve it into a better version. And from that version, a better version and so on. And include instructions.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Interesting, thanks for watching

@user-xq6de6yt2s 3 місяці тому

Un vrai jouets dommage les pignons en Téflon sa cassera rapidement 😢😢a changer avant utilisation 🎉🎉pas pression a voir 😢😢

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

I don’t understand I’m afraid

@larrybud 5 місяців тому

Glad this worked out for you, but just note, Vevor is well known to have TERRIBLE product support.

@VintageEngineRepairs 5 місяців тому

Thanks for sharing your feedback 👍

@miky-275 4 місяці тому

I have many Vevor products and never had any issue with them or there customer support

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Thanks for sharing!

@silversrayleigh8980 8 днів тому

Plastic gears ! LMAO HAHAHAHAHA

@VintageEngineRepairs 8 днів тому

Yep :) they’re great - quiet, don’t require lubrication, cheap and easy to replace and if you get a violent catch, they are the first to give, saving your chuck jaws, mower shaft and the spindle.

@silversrayleigh8980 7 днів тому

@@VintageEngineRepairs Oh stop it, its a toy.

@VintageEngineRepairs 20 годин тому

I really like it, I seem to be making things constantly. I don’t know how I did with out it.

@dougadams9419 4 місяці тому

Grizzly machines. Better quality even if made in China.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Thanks for sharing

@eroj2003 3 місяці тому

Can you work with Wood? For a chess?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Yes 👍

@taxicamel 4 місяці тому

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

This is a perfect example of “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt”...

@paulpipitone8357 4 місяці тому

I guess your selling or giving this lathe away since you had paper towels and a vacuum running

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

No, I’m keeping it, I just don’t want metal shavings going on the carpet where I’m filming this.

@Daniel10439 3 місяці тому

Tüv sagt nein.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Thanks for watching

@stephenallen4374 3 місяці тому

It's ok for a week or two but then all the parts start getting loose and wearing out just looked at the plastic gears are rubbish my advice spend more money

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

You clearly haven’t used it because you’d see that what you’re saying isn’t true. Plastic gears are quiet, don’t require lubricants and are the first thing to break in a bind, rather than shafts, splines and jaws. That’s makes easy and cheap to replace. That’s a good thing when learning.

@currentbatches6205 4 місяці тому

You get what you pay for. If you are lucky.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

I’m pleased with it!

@jaimz33 3 місяці тому

Plastic gears in a lathe, ill give it a miss.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Why? They’re quiet, don’t require lubricant, last a long time and should you get a bad catch, the cheap and easy to replace gears will shear before metal shafts, splines, jaws and threads that can’t be easily or cheaply replaced.

@pstanyer1 3 місяці тому

Never like plastic cogs....

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Why? They’re quiet, affordable, function perfectly well for a mini lathe, can be replaced with metal is necessary, cheap to replace with plastic again if necessary.

@Traderhood 3 місяці тому

Plastic gears. There is your first clue.

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Plastic gears are great. Cheap to replace, quiet, don’t require lubrication, still last over 10 years and if you get a bad catch, if anything were to break, it’s the gears which are easy and affordable to replace. That saves the more expensive parts like metal shafts, splines and jaws.

@josedelao9124 4 місяці тому

Cheap is the right word how long can the plastic gears last 😮 no replacement parts😮 wasted money.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Parts are available online and the plastic gears hold up well in a homeowner situation. Metal replacement gears can be brought from them and if you wanted to get them with the lathe you can pay more and get them.

@archers101pd7 3 місяці тому

Why do you describe it cheap Chinese lathe? And not cheap lathe. There is a market for people like you and China can make it at the cost point that you can afford. The last time I checked GMC Machinery lathes are also made in China. When you can afford one of these and what will be your title?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

Because it’s a cheap Chinese lathe. Vevor were happy with the title, it’s accurate.

@archers101pd7 3 місяці тому

So is it also an accurate title Cheap Aussie testing cheap Chinese lathe?

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

No, I’m not Australian.

@Thesomersetgimp 3 місяці тому

Then the title would said “mid range Chinese lathe”. Country of origin is relevant when discussing build quality.

@matthew3136 4 місяці тому

Designed to be used and thrown away. It's disgusting that companies are allowed to sell these without a real warranty or repair process. Buy a used older lathe.

@VintageEngineRepairs 4 місяці тому

Many people online have had theirs 10+ years

@corstafine 3 місяці тому

Awesome, another tool I need buy cannot find anywhere because Vevor.only caters to the US market. ( and there is no way I'm paying a grand to have it shipped )

@VintageEngineRepairs 3 місяці тому

I’m in Australia, I have friends in Denmark, Canada and the UK who all use Vevor