JohnG 41 Posted November 9, 2009 So I fantasize all the time about having CNC machines (lathe and mill) some day but they are horribly expensive. Then I started thinking maybe I am being silly - why not just get manual machines - can't they do what the automatic equipment does, just not as quickly. I am not setting up a factory, so what is wrong with manual? It will be a while before I buy because I need to get my house further advanced so that I have a work shop in which to put the equipment - I will have a painting studio, a corner of which I have decided to dedicate to watch making. Here is a lathe I came across that is reasonable in price and would probably work nicely for what I need. I wanted to do dials at first with a mill, but now I am thinking I would get more use out of a lathe - for making cases and bezels and plexi crystals. Any ideas, comments, experience and expertise - share it ALL! http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...&zmap=93799 :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted November 9, 2009 My Dad, a toolmaker/ fitter/ turner, now retired, reckons an engineers pantograph could easily replicate a Pam dial 1:1 no problem... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andei3000 0 Posted November 9, 2009 JohnG, you're my hero - I would love to have this setup too in my future workshop!!! maybe I'm going to build a poor mans CNC machine - plenty of tutorials out there! keep us informed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted November 9, 2009 There are some excellent small lathes and similar miniature power tools made for the model market - where a high level of precision is required but there's not always the finance available to spend on the full-size stuff. I haven't got room for a workshop here, but I keep eyeing up some of the specialist dealers in the railway modelling press - there's some really good tools around for not much dough. Might be worth your while picking up a magazine or two. In the meantime, one of the best dealers in the UK for that kinda thing is Expo Tools (check out the Unimat range): http://www.expotools.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted November 9, 2009 That's a great link Greg... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted November 9, 2009 A manual lathe would be fine to start but if ya wanna do dials on a mill CNC is realy the only way to go. Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 9, 2009 That's a great link Greg... +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted November 9, 2009 Here's another interesting site for the Yanks among us. Widget Supply Co. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RolexAddict 1 Posted November 9, 2009 I bought a Proxon lathe 2 years ago, I design gun parts and started with watch cases, believe me, its not so easy, you need skills and a minimum knowledge, this is a full job, not a kitchen table watch plumber rep gek hobby Pics of your projects and tech. datas in the future would be welcome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 9, 2009 I bought a Proxon lathe 2 years ago, I design gun parts and started with watch cases, believe me, its not so easy, you need skills and a minimum knowledge, this is a full job, not a kitchen table watch plumber rep gek hobby Pics of your projects and tech. datas in the future would be welcome B) What the hell is a "kitchen table watch plumber rep gek hobby"??? Anyway, I have used a lathe when I was an auto tech - for turning brake discs and drums, have used a lot of specialized equipment over the years. There are good books on metal working and machining, plus I have a good friend who is retired, bored, AND a machinist. He is in some of the recent pics of my house - has already said he will help (he actually sounded excited and I had to say, "not until the house is further along"). Truth be told though, I can hardly wait myself... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 9, 2009 Just reading in some forums - here is a used Unimat a guy picked up for $150. I didn't even think of buying used but there have to be some GREAT deals out there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 9, 2009 Excellent site here: http://www.mini-lathe.org.uk/index.shtml Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted November 10, 2009 Uni-mat are still the best of the micro lathes AFIK. They have had that title for a loooong time and guard it well. The above is a very old uni-mat but for 150 bucks, he couldn't go far wrong as long as it's been taken care of. Evn if you don't end up getting a CNC jobby you should get one that will accept CNC addons in the future. Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 10, 2009 Evn if you don't end up getting a CNC jobby you should get one that will accept CNC addons in the future. Col. Yeah, I decided that already - so I can upgrade in the future, when JohnG Enterprises International, S.A. starts shipping thousands of watches a week, I will need to have CNC I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10:10 Watch Repair 1 Posted November 10, 2009 So I fantasize all the time about having CNC machines (lathe and mill) some day but they are horribly expensive. Then I started thinking maybe I am being silly - why not just get manual machines - can't they do what the automatic equipment does, just not as quickly. I am not setting up a factory, so what is wrong with manual? The prices are coming down all the time. I was in entertainment, and before that the computer industry. I witnessed a technology tipping point where there are old stalwarts who justify their ridiculously expensive products ($40k+ CNC mills) and young startups that show how it can be done on a shoestring (there are now quality $1500 CNC mills) I am researching this now, and know that soon this whole hobby will change. Yes, there is a lot of knowledge required now, but as more users purchase inexpensive CNC machines, the software will catch up and it will be plug and play. It's not out of reach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 11, 2009 So I fantasize all the time about having CNC machines (lathe and mill) some day but they are horribly expensive. Then I started thinking maybe I am being silly - why not just get manual machines - can't they do what the automatic equipment does, just not as quickly. I am not setting up a factory, so what is wrong with manual? The prices are coming down all the time. I was in entertainment, and before that the computer industry. I witnessed a technology tipping point where there are old stalwarts who justify their ridiculously expensive products ($40k+ CNC mills) and young startups that show how it can be done on a shoestring (there are now quality $1500 CNC mills) I am researching this now, and know that soon this whole hobby will change. Yes, there is a lot of knowledge required now, but as more users purchase inexpensive CNC machines, the software will catch up and it will be plug and play. It's not out of reach. Good to hear - it will be a year before I am serious about buying expensive machines - if I happened across a reasonable priced used lathe, maybe next spring/summer, but not before. Perhaps by the time I get to a mill, the price will be even lower.... This hobby will get SERIOUSLY addictive then.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10:10 Watch Repair 1 Posted November 11, 2009 A lot of machines can be retrofit for CNC later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PatronSaintofChainsaws 1 Posted November 11, 2009 If you have a Dremel, you can start to toy around with it as a psuedo-CNC: http://www.instructables.com/id/Dremel_Car...n_Power_CNC_Ro/ http://www.lirtex.com/robotics/diy-cnc-machine http://www.google.com/search?q=dremel+cnc With the right bits, it could be an interesting way to mill/engrave your own dials. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtt.tr 0 Posted November 11, 2009 i use a myford super 7 really good lathe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted November 11, 2009 PSoC: Yep, those conversions work surprisingly well. Thing is, to build a decent one you realy need access to a mill to make the parts but if that can be arranged you can build a realy decent small mill big enough to do dials for peanuts. mtt.tr: The Myford is the Uni-mat of small (as opposed to micro) lathes. One of Englands finest contributians to the world of engineering. Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted November 12, 2009 i use a myford super 7 really good lathe You have a lathe, you DOG!!!! I HATE YOU! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
