Gunsmithing Lathe

B

Brian

Guest
I am looking for a lathe for home use that is as small as possible but big enough to do chambering work. This will be my first lathe. It will be a learning process for me. I have found one for sale nearby and was wondering if I could get some opinions on it.

It is a Rockwell 11x36. They are asking $1200 for it. It is 220-3 phase electric but has a static phase converter. It only has one chuck, a 3 jaw Buck Chuck. It does not come with a steady rest so I would have to buy one.
It seems to be in very good condition and runs very smooth. At least in my inexperienced opinion. I did find out after researching it that replacement\repair parts are not easy to find.

Should I stay away from it for any reasons? Is there a drawback to the phase converter setup? Is the 3 jaw Buck Chuck useable for barrel work? Would I end up putting a ton more money in this to make it right?

Thanks..........Brian
 
A Rockwell is an excellent chambering lathe. Short through the headstock and at least 1.375 in the spindle. A good rotary phase converter is great. A 3 jaw Buck is a very good chuck, but not suitable for chambering. Your price is very good if it is in good shape.
Butch
 
I use a 11" x 37" Rockwell and echo what Butch said. A very nice after market steady rest is now available for less then the price of used ones on eBay.
 
Advice on Lathes

In South Africa/Namibia we unfortunately do not have the luxary of an unlimited choice of lathes. It is either an older (50+ years) English lathe or a new Chinese/Taiwanese clone (or another import for a fortune).

My partner in an unrelated business (although he does a lot of prescission work) is of the opinion that the hardened beds and other improvements (also the fact that it is new or almost new) of good Chinese/Taiwanese lathes makes it a better choice than an older English lathe. My gunsmith on the other hand is again in favour of the older English machines. He has a Dean, Grace & Smith (1942) with a 1.2m bed for sale for the equilevant of $ 2000 and I'm tempted. My partner however prefer a new Chinese/Taiwanes lathe for $ 3000.

I know it is a loaded question, but shoud I look at a new Chinese/Taiwanese lathe or an older English lathe, such as the Dean, Grace & Smith?
 
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