Gunsmithing Lathe question

C

CJS10mm

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Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 17, 2007
45
0
Mason County, WA
#1
I am wondering if the following lathe would be a good one for gunsmithing, and getting started on learning more advanced meatal working. I've been told it is a Jet 1440d gap bed engine lathe. I'm not familiar with lathes but I am trying to learn as I go. Any additional info would be great! Here is some more info:

Older Jet lathe in Decent shape. Comes with 3 and 4 jaw chucks, 4 way tool post, steady rest, following rest, dead center, live center. and minimal tooling. Offsetable tailstock. 3ph 220V 5hp. 1.75 inch spindle bore.
cuts ACME, Metric, and Standard threads. Has been sitting in my shop for way too long. Come see it run. Can deliver if not too far away.
 
#3
Re: Lathe question

Sounds like a good one to me How are the ways on the machine? How long is the headstock? I cant remember what that model looked like.Many smiths like to set up a barrel thru the headstock as opposed to out over the bed with a steadyrest. It is more complicated to chamber in the headstock if the barrel wont extend thru the backside of the spindle.The 3 phase motor will require a convertor, vfd or motor swap if you dont have 3 phase power at your location. Good luck
 
#4
Re: Lathe question

In a lathe you get what you pay for. Don't get in a hurry. If you plan to do rifle barrel work, you need a 40 inch between centers lathe. Or one whos head stock is short enough that a barrel can stick out of both ends. In the four jaw chuck you would have the chamber end, and for the other end you would have to make a spider with four jacking bolts. This set up is neccesary for properly dialing in the bore of the barrel true. While you look around for a lathe do your self a big favor and go to smart flix on the web. Rent the lathe course taught by Darrell Holland which is a 4 or 5 disc set. I would say buy it, but it cost about $500.00, so renting is worth it. If you are just learning, it is worth every pennie and the time you will spend watching it. He does not show how to work on rifles in the set, but when you get ready to do so you will be glad you saw it. Good used colchester or south bend heavy 10 will do a great job. Make sure you know what to look for. Get educated, and then buy. I wish you good luck.
 
#5
Re: Lathe question

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I will be doing more research first. I don't wanna make a 1-3k investment and have 1-3K worth of crap. I want to eventually do chambering and barrel profiling as I would really like to get into smithing.
I will definitely do the dvd rental, I just found that site the other day.
 
#6
Re: Lathe question

I have to say that over the years I've been disappointed with most 14" lathes I've run. They work but are too big and tooling costs more than a smaller lathe. They also limit the number of setups you can use for doing chamber work. Bearings usually aren't that good and just not much fun to run. With that being said I have a Clausing-Metosa 1440, paid over $10K for it, that I've reached a truce with. I can do just as good of work as my little Nardini but I have to pay attention to what I'm doing. I would rather have a smaller 1236 that cost less and was more nimble than a larger machine. I got the Clausing to do large, up to two inch barrels on. Now I do those on my Haas TL-1. If the price is right go for it but understand it's not the perfect lathe for riflesmithing.
 
#7
Re: Lathe question

If I was to write an eloquent response that is to the point, I would like mine to look like STR's.

I am NOT diluting the others! All combined will provide great angles to observe this from.

It has been touched on, but purchasing a lathe simply because of bottom line purchase price is rather dicey. Collecting accessories can/will get expensive. If you start with an old worn out repainted machine and after several years you find you can't compensate for, say excessive backlash or worn ways, you will be back in the market again. This time you will be exponentially smarter and prepared. If you make a move, preferably up, you would like your tooling to fit as well.

Look, touch, feel, watch. There are numerous avenues of seeing some good to great units. I believe my lucky search was eight months long and I spent some time every day researching. When I picked up the lathe, I really had never seen one except for those in photos or the internet.

If you are intending to do some precise work, you will need precision tools, e.g., a better than good 4-jaw or 6-jaw adjustable chuck. Go on Buck Chuck's website and price one. Go on eBay and see what you can get one for used. Just one example.

Keep asking questions to these guys/gals. All of it is very worthwhile whether you like it or not (the presentation, that is).

Also, do a search on this forum. Several in the past have asked a like question and you can gain tons from past responses.

Happy Shopping!
 
#8
Re: Lathe question

Good question, asked numerous times (once by me). Do some research. If I may suggest: 1-Look thru the search engine on this site, 2- Look at Practical Machinist, 3-6mmBR has a gunsmith section, 4- Google used and or new lathes. LOTS of reading. I won't say what I bought to avoid the yapping but I got one helluva an education. Good used ones are available, look out for crating/ shipping costs. I apologize if I was not allowed to post other site names, my ignorance.
 
#10
Re: Lathe question

I dont know what shape that lateh is in. Cant see it from here. But I will tell you that in '82-3 or there abouts I bought a Jet 12 X 36 lathe. 1.5 in spdl hole. I've made some pretty accurate rifles with it. The latest was the week before Christmas. I do wish it had the gap bed yours does, dont really need it for guns but would be great for some auto machining. As far as three phase, I'm not an electrian but I thought someone told me that could be converted to 230V. I'm not real sure about that part.

Machine work is mostly set up and care using messuring tools, taking your time. Tooling may get expensive, or it did for me, I'm a tool junky.

JMHO
 
#12
Re: Lathe question

Kraig

That's funny I bought the same lathe and started smithing in '82. There was a lot of windage built into those things but if anything you learn good setups and you pay attention to the details. That experience has served me well. I sold my Jet in '90 and got a 1030 Nardini. After that life was good.
 
#13
Re: Lathe question

I think the nicest professional lathe is the Clausing Colchester. The have 13" and 15" variable speed and gear head lathes.

http://www.clausing-industrial.com/Products/Lathes/ColchesterVS/13-15.htm

They are not cheap but they will last a life time. I did a lot of research a few years ago and purchased 5 of them for a local college. I am currently looking for a lathe now myself and am looking for a used one (not many get cut loose).

Much like any tool (or firearm for that matter) it really depends on how you are using it which is best for you.

My two cents worth, good luck.
 
#14
Re: Lathe question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CJS10mm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am wondering if the following lathe would be a good one for gunsmithing, and getting started on learning more advanced meatal working. I've been told it is a Jet 1440d gap bed engine lathe. </div></div>

Great lathe for gunsmithing if it is in good shape.

How to buy a used lathe links:
http://www.lathes.co.uk/page2.html
http://www.mermac.com/advicenew.html
http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=180
 
#17
Re: Lathe question

STR, thanks for looking out I appreciate it.

Clark, thanks for the links they will help a lot.

That particular lather was on Craigslist and sold before I was able to contact the owner to take a look at it. Oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be and he was asking 2000
 
#18
Re: Lathe question

Speaking as a tool and die maker you should find some1 close who knows a bit about machining to look at the lathes you are thinking about buying.(make sure they are not worn out &/or broken) You wont need a lot of swing but a bed that allows 48" of travel should be high on your list. You are going to want a good 6 jaw chuck to start out. More jaws = more even clamping pressuer. + you can take jaws out and run 3,4, or 6..... If you could find a nice used lathe with digital readout and a nice compound you would be Rockin! Clausing & leblond, are top on my list. You also going to need to level the lathe and learn how to do PM's on it. It you would like to talk tooling drop me a line and I'll give you and idea what to buy.

Aaron
 
#22
Re: Lathe question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FK300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has anyone tried a Clark 14x40 lathe? I'm shopping for a new lathe and was just curious if anyone has one...opinions good or bad would be greatly appreciated. </div></div>

if you are looking at the one on ebay, beware that it doesn't come with a 4 jaw chuck, face plate or quick change tool post.

if i were to start over today and wanted a new machine and an import was the only thing in my price range, i would be looking hard at the precision matthews pm1340 with the dro link.
 
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