SpudFiles

Could anyone suggest a good lathe. I would like to get a lathe because a lot of the different projects that I would like to do require me to use a lathe. I would like one that is capable of working with aluminum, I don't need a huge one just one big enough to make say 3 inch diameter rocket nozzles and stuff around that size.

Any suggestions would be really help full.

Thanks.

I hesitate to say it, but all metal lathes are capable of working any metal. The lower hosepower ones can't remove material as fast, that's all.
(however, using tool-steel cutting tools on things harder than aluminum will be a discurraging activity.)

Google for "mini lathe" or something like that. Get the biggest one you can reasonably afford, you'll thank yourself the first time you want to make a big project.

You can find 'em on E-bay too.

look around on ebay for some older South Bend lathes, you can sometimes get them for only slightly more than those mini lathes cost.

and check the classifides in the news paper

I never thought about the classifieds, Ill have to try them first.

My Harbor Freight mini-lathe, is really good, but innacurate because I've been too much of a lazy (and broke) bastard to set it up properly. If you can get it and set everything up , you're good for precision work.

My dream is to get one but im too poor.