Metal Lathes

[Enzerumo]

I need info about these you know prices, recomendations that sort of thing.

[Madcow]

Welcome to the forum,
There's a few threads like this already you should check.

As a lathe owner I can tell you.
1. It's not cheap.
2. Good deals on ebay
3. Look for a mini lathe, but big enough to do a 1 peice hilt (12-14")

Good luck,
MC

[Kilted Jedi]

Any recommendation on the new (plastic) Unimat? I've tried using an old-school Unimat I borrowed from a friend, but gave up due to the difficulty in just getting the thing setup. I wasn't able to get a rod of 1.5" alumninum stock to hold in the lathe.

[vadeblade]

Which Unimat model?

In any case it looks like any Unimat model would be too small for lightsaber building unless you're just making the custom ones for Legos


or for your keychain


from the brochures i find online, Unimat looks similar to Sherline in capabilities.

At a minimum lathe should be a 7x10 (178mm x 254mm). Even then you will be machining the hilt in sections. Go as big as you can afford keeping in mind to double your cost to buy accessories.

Try here for info http://www.mini-lathe.com/

[Firebird21]

In any case it looks like any Unimat model would be too small for lightsaber building unless you're just making the custom ones for Legos

That's cool!

[tetmatek]

If you can swing it try for one with a mill attachment. It will enhance your hilt making greatly!


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...264&pricetype=
This is the one I use. remember the tools are the $$ part

[elrond.406]

Which Unimat model?

In any case it looks like any Unimat model would be too small for lightsaber building unless you're just making the custom ones for Legos


or for your keychain


from the brochures i find online, Unimat looks similar to Sherline in capabilities.

At a minimum lathe should be a 7x10 (178mm x 254mm). Even then you will be machining the hilt in sections. Go as big as you can afford keeping in mind to double your cost to buy accessories.

Try here for info http://www.mini-lathe.com/

Would those keychains be robert's?