Metric or Imperial Lathe?

[Matt@Nearfield]

So would you guys suggest a metric or an imperial Lathe?

This will mainly be used to tinkering on guns etc. In fact, I just fancy learning something new.

Which one would you choose and why?

 

[Fatbob 59]

So would you guys suggest a metric or an imperial Lathe?

This will mainly be used to tinkering on guns etc. In fact, I just fancy learning something new.

Which one would you choose and why?

I would want one that would cut both imperial and metric threads but it wouldn't bother me whether the dials were metric or imperial

 

[Matt@Nearfield]

I would want one that would cut both imperial and metric threads but it wouldn't bother me whether the dials were metric or imperial

Yes. Badley written question. I would like one that does both, but if its anything like other machines, some are built with metric or imperial in mind? Or is that not the case?

 

[Sprickerdog]

If it has a Digital Readout it doesn't really matter as you can usually swap between imperial/metric. If it only has dial and slide gauges I would go metric as its just easier.
This is just my opinion, coming from someone that did his engineering apprenticeship on manual lathes/milling/grinders etc.

 

[Matt@Nearfield]

If it has a Digital Readout it doesn't really matter as you can usually swap between imperial/metric. If it only has dial and slide gauges I would go metric as its just easier.
This is just my opinion, coming from someone that did his engineering apprenticeship on manual lathes/milling/grinders etc.

That will do for me.

Apart from an 1/2 UNF I cant remember seeing much imperial on modern guns anyway.

 

[Fatbob 59]

I'm not certain but I think with enough change gears any thread can be cut

 

[Jim-in-Darwen]

As above. I have two Metric mini lathes and both will cut both imperial and metric threads. With one I needed to buy one extra change gear but the other larger Creworks one came with that extra change gear. No change gears on the Creworks one now as I have installed an ELS (electronic lead screw) and the thread pitch is selected from the ELS control box. No gears at all in the lathe and whisper quiet.

Jim

 

[KWK1]

If you have an Imperial lead screw and you want to cut metric threads (or vise versa) you can not release the half nuts. If you do you will have to pick up the thread again. You have to reverse the lathe for the next pass.

 

[Mr Fettler]

I wouldn't have a lathe without a DRO these days, my old eyes need machining to be as easy as possible.

 

[Anchutz]

If you have an Imperial lead screw and you want to cut metric threads (or vise versa) you can not release the half nuts. If you do you will have to pick up the thread again. You have to reverse the lathe for the next pass.

I'd go for metric, with my amadeal the lead screw is metric but if you buy a 62 tooth change wheel (iirc) you can cut most imperial threads including ½x20 unf

 

[gorgon]

Personally I would go metric as I find it easier with everything being multiples of 10.. plus new lathes outside US are more likely to be metric anyway. The Amadeal AMABL210E you were looking at has an electronic change gear system (so no manually changing gearwheels to cut different threads - bonus) and it supports both metric and imperial thread cutting anyway, so you're covered there.

 

[KWK1]

I'd go for metric, with my amadeal the lead screw is metric but if you buy a 62 tooth change wheel (iirc) you can cut most imperial threads including ½x20 unf

When you use a transposing gear you can not release the half nuts. You must reverse the lathe and back up for the next pass.

 

[Anchutz]

When you use a transposing gear you can not release the half nuts. You must reverse the lathe and back up for the next pass.

You have to do that anyway on a mini lathe no matter what thread your cutting. And since it's a simple case of flicking the direction switch it's no hassle.