Equipment for processing various materials is represented by various variations of industrial and domestic purposes. The desktop lathe is ideally suited for a small workshop, garage or technical corner in a private house. The unit allows you to perform various operations on the processing of metal or wood. In fact, the device is a direct analogue of the factory machine, which differs in some technological limitations. Consider the features of the apparatus and its variations.
Features
The lathe is designed to handle small workpieces. On this device, you can perform various technological operations for the conical configuration of the metal, as well as the execution of a cylindrical and other finishes, including trimming of the ends, grinding, drilling and hole development.
Small variations are characterized by ease of management and versatility, allowing to bring the quality of the processed products to the required degree. These devices are equipped at home workshops and small workshops for the repair of vehicles and other equipment. During the Soviet Union, schools and colleges were equipped with such lathes, which made it possible to acquire the first skills and master the basics of future turners.
Benefits
Among the advantages of the unit under consideration, the following points can be distinguished:
- the lathe operates from a network of 220 or 380 volts;
- the unit is characterized by low power consumption;
- reliability of operation and durability (subject to proper maintenance);
- acceptable price;
- compact dimensions and low weight, which allows you to install the device in a cramped workshop or garage.
In addition, a metal lathe is a good tool for educating novice users. Problems with the operation and maintenance of the unit usually do not arise, due to the reliability and simplicity of the design.
Short description
The advantages of the equipment in question include the possibility of equipping it with additional "chips" that ensure the effective use of tools for milling and complex drilling of parts. The result is a universal fixture, featuring wide functionality.
Any desktop lathe, regardless of model, can be characterized by several basic parameters. Among them:
- unit weight of several kilograms;
- power indicator in kilowatts;
- optimal center placement height in millimeters;
- determination of the maximum length and diameter of the workpiece;
- the possibility of a suitable processing speed of the part;
- multifunctional spindle block with various hole diameters.
Lathe Features
Small appliances include units weighing from 40 to 300 kilograms. Analogues weighing about 50 kg are easy to assemble, transport and use semi-professionally. Heavier equipment refers to modifications of a professional application.
The power indicator for the considered devices usually does not exceed 2.2 kW. Many appliances have a drive power of only 0.15 kW. Before you purchase a device, you must clearly determine its future functionality and frequency of use. This is important not only for choosing the required capacity, but also for the sake of financial savings.
Application
Even with small dimensions, a screw-cutting lathe remains a complex and technically equipped device that is responsible for the accuracy and reliability of processing, which affects the durability and practicality of the product.
For the operation of the device in question, the following structural elements play an important role:
- a support responsible for the reliability and accuracy of fixing the cutting tools, and its movement at the time of processing the workpiece;
- supporting frame, on which all the main parts of the machine are located.
The metal for the manufacture of units is durable and has a polished surface. Subject to the above conditions, one can count on long-term operation and high quality equipment.
JET brand
For more than half a century, a Swiss company has been producing lathes for metal, which have found popularity not only among industrialists, but also among home craftsmen. Most of the production facilities are located in China, but this does not affect the impeccable quality of the devices. Modifications are also easy to operate and maintain.
Bd-3
The characteristics of the lathe make it possible to use it, both by professionals and novice amateurs. The base of the unit is made of cast iron, which significantly reduces vibration moments during operation. Guide elements can be adjusted on a cross support. Detailed grinding provides the maximum accuracy of movement of clamps. An engine with a power of about 0.15 kW acts as a power plant.
The spindle of this apparatus makes about 100-3800 thousand revolutions per minute, the manufacturer has provided for the possibility of self-service equipment. For this, a three-jaw chuck and an additional cutter lock are included in the delivery set.
Bd-7
This metal lathe is suitable for small enterprises and private households. The design of the unit includes the following elements:
- massive cast-iron bed;
- spindle with roller bearings;
- digital display;
- Adjustable tailstock for tapering;
- reversible product feeding mechanism with the possibility of cutting versatile threads;
- power unit with a capacity of 0.37 kW.
BD-8A
The desktop machine is equipped with automated lateral and longitudinal feed of the part. The spindle head is quickly rearranged to the desired position, a reverse is provided, which can be used for threading.
The thrust center of the unit is made according to the return principle. A cam with three elements with a diameter of 10 centimeters is protected by a special screen that ensures operator safety. Starts the device into operation a power unit with a capacity of 0.55 kW.
CNC Lathe
Any analogue of a mechanical option with software control is able to provide all the operations performed by the above devices. It is worth noting that such an apparatus makes all procedures faster and more accurate. Here the participation of the human factor is minimized.
The computer program allows you to quickly carry out a change of nozzles, and also determines the maximum accuracy of the work. A wood or metal lathe with a similar configuration is characterized by high quality workpiece processing, the possibility of engraving and marking.
Among the most popular modifications, the following brands are distinguished: OPTIMUM: D210x400, D240x500G, TU2506, as well as JET products: BD-8CNC.
Popular brands
Among the popular brands, several modifications should be noted, namely:
- SPA-500P;
- SK-550;
- SPB-400/400;
- SPA-700P;
- TV-6, TV-9, TV-16.
Types of lathes for wood and metal of domestic production do not differ in complex construction, they can often be found in educational and home workshops. Such units are unpretentious in operation and maintenance, do not require special qualifications of the employee.
The most popular models with brief specifications:
- OPTIMUM is a German brand under which lathes are manufactured, including miniature, well-known and appreciated by specialists throughout Europe. Popular models in the domestic market can be found under the indices D140x250, D210x400, D250x550.
- The Chinese company Weiss Machinery produces inexpensive, but high-quality, reliable and functional turning mechanisms. The most popular models are: WM-180V, WM-250V, WM-250G, WMP-300A, ML-200.
Criterias of choice
Types of lathes for wood and metal are divided according to several parameters:
- weight in kilograms;
- power in kilowatts;
- speed of the working part in torsion for a certain unit of time;
- center height in millimeters;
- minimum and maximum size of the product with which the unit is able to cope;
- number of speeds (usually no more than six positions);
- spindle socket size in millimeters.
It is worth paying attention to these characteristics first. The mass of the unit can vary from 40 to 280 kilograms. For home, an analogue weighing no more than 50 kg is better. Heavier equipment is appropriate for arranging private and semi-professional workshops.
Recommendations
For example, OPTIMUM brand products are distinguished by such features:
- there is a possibility of emergency shutdown of the device by means of a special button;
- high precision machining due to CNC;
- the guiding elements of the machine are made of cast iron, hardened and carefully ground;
- additional stability of the bed is provided by natural aging, the effect of which lasts at least six months;
- there is the possibility of cutting any type of thread;
- The electrical unit is a maintenance-free type motor.
Types of wood and metal lathes from this manufacturer work using the special NC Drive program. This "chip" is a universal tool that controls the change of the cutting tip, the adjustment of the machining cycles, the displacement of the axes of the device, the installation of the unit in a circular, spiral or linear configuration.
What else to look for?
It is quite possible to make a lathe with your own hands, however, certain knowledge and skills will be required. Experts recommend paying attention to the following parameters:
- The maximum limit of the diameter of the workpiece (it is no more than 660 millimeters), the size is determined by calculating the distance from the center of the axis to the middle of the bed;
- The mass of the machine also affects the accuracy of its operation. The heavier the device, the higher the indicator will be, since there is no aggregate displacement (household analogues weigh about 40-50 kg).
- The length of the workpiece is up to two meters, which corresponds to the characteristics of professional devices.
- The processing speed depends mainly on the power of the equipment. Strong indicators are within the power of specialists, newcomers are better off choosing more “weak” modifications.
To summarize
It is important to understand that the desktop turning unit for metal, despite its compactness and even miniature size, is a complex technical device. It is clear that it should be chosen carefully, paying attention to the quality of each element of the unit and the peculiarity of the assembly of the entire structure. Especially "reverent" you need to relate to the quality characteristics of the material from which the main working elements are made.
The cost of a metal lathe for a home depends on several factors: productivity, type, brand. Manufacturers offer a wide range of household analogues, which can be purchased at a price of 18 thousand rubles. More powerful units (over 500 W) will cost at least 25,000, the most expensive and productive counterparts - at least 50 thousand.