Navigating the Lathe Market: What to Consider Before Buying a Used Lathe

Capable of lasting over a decade and having the potential to save you thousands if bought used, it’s no surprise lathes are one of the top CNC machines purchased second-hand. Lathes, especially CNC, are quite expensive, with some going for over $100,000. With almost everything online these days, it’s easier than ever to find the lathe machine that’ll fit your machining and business needs. Whether you’re a seasoned machinist or new to the world of lathes, understanding what to look for when purchasing a second-hand lathe is crucial. Join us as we provide insights into the different types of lathes and explore what you should consider before purchasing a second-hand lathe for sale.

HAVEN Product Page

Machine Condition

The condition of the used lathe is paramount. Inspect the machine thoroughly, paying attention to wear and tear, rust, and overall cleanliness. Check critical components that are prone to wear and tear like the bed, headstock, tailstock, and carriage for signs of damage. There are specific components related to the type of lathe you are purchasing that should be inspected prior to purchase. An example is the spindle, which is critical to a Lathe machine. You would want to run the spindle at high speed to see if you can catch any odd noises. Another example are the bed ways as they are responsible for the accuracy of the cuts. This part of the machine should be parallel so that the carriage is able to also move with the axis of the spindle. Keep in mind, it is normal to have wear and tear on these components with a used machine. You just want to make sure the wear is not so severe that it would impact the machine’s performance.

Request video and pictures of the machine. This helps give you an idea of the lathe machine’s overall condition before you even set up an in-person visit. A video of the machine running will be essential if you cannot make a trip to see the machine. Ask for maintenance records to get a sense of how well the lathe has been cared for over the years.

Type of Lathe Machine

Understanding the specific type of lathe you need is essential. Most lathe machines that are sold today are CNC, which can be a great asset to your manufacturing facility, as it increases productivity. There are several types of industrial lathes, each designed for different applications:

• Manual Lathes: These are the traditional lathes operated by machinists. They are versatile and often used for simple to moderately complex machining tasks.
• CNC Lathes: Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lathes offer precision and automation. Different types include vertical turret lathes, Swiss lathes, engine lathes, and multi-axis lathes. Your choice will depend on your production needs.

Precision & Tolerance

Does it have a CNC (Computer Numerical Control system? CNC Lathe machines are preferred in the manufacturing industry as they automate jobs and are great for mass production. For CNC lathes, accuracy and precision are vital. Check if the lathe maintains the specified tolerances. Inspect the spindle and cutting tools to ensure they are in good condition.

Machine History

Request information about the machine’s history, including its previous applications and usage patterns. Knowing the kind of work it has done in the past can provide insights into its wear and tear. How old is the lathe and how many hours has it logged? Lathe machines will last decades if they are well taken care of. If the machine has a CNC system, you should be able to keep it up-to-date with the latest software.

Documentation

Ensure that you receive all relevant documentation, including manuals, maintenance records, and any warranties that may still be valid. Maintenance records will allow you to see the service history of the used lathe machine and how well it’s been maintained. This can show you what, if any minor or major repairs have been done on the lathe machinery over its history. This can also put your mind at ease, giving you confidence that the used lathe equipment you’re interested in will perform well for years to come.

Manufacturer & Model

Consider well-known lathe manufacturers and models, as they often come with a reputation for quality. Research the model to understand its specifications and capabilities.

Tooling & Accessories

Evaluate the included tooling and accessories. A lathe with a comprehensive set of tooling can save you time and money on additional purchases.

Price & Negotiation

Compare prices of similar used lathes for sale in the market to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. Don’t hesitate to negotiate with the seller, especially if you uncover any issues during inspection.

Rigging & Transportation

Consider the logistics of moving the used machine lathe to your facility. Ensure you have the necessary equipment and resources for rigging and transportation. What are the costs to transport this machine to you if need be? You will want to make sure you understand the full cost of purchasing the machine, including the cost of transporting it to your facility.

Compliance with Safety & Regulatory Standards

Before purchasing a second-hand lathe, ensuring the lathe machine is compliant with safety and regulatory standards is of the utmost importance to not only maintain a safe working environment, but to adhere to legal requirements as well. Does the used lathe meet OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards? While CNC lathe machines should not have issues meeting safety regulations, this is something that could come up if it is an older lathe machine.

You’ll also want to verify safety features available on the used lathe and evaluate the lathe’s overall operational safety. Ensure the lathe’s electrical system meets local electrical codes and standards, noise levels comply with local regulations, and that dust and fume control systems are in place, including ventilation and filtration systems, to meet environmental and safety standards. After purchasing a used lathe, establish a regular inspection and maintenance schedule to ensure ongoing compliance with safety regulations. Periodic inspections and maintenance are essential for keeping the lathe safe and operational.

Lathe Machine Inspection

Before purchasing a second-hand lathe, inquire about scheduling an in-person inspection of the used lathe machine. If you’re not well-versed in lathe machinery, consider hiring a professional inspector to accompany you during the inspection. Their expertise can help identify potential issues that may not be apparent to a novice. If an in-person inspection is not possible due to timing or location of the lathe equipment, reach out to the used equipment dealer and request photos and videos of the lathe machine running. Reputable used equipment companies would be happy to send over what you need to ensure you’re confident with the lathe equipment and will be happy long after your purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, purchasing a second-hand lathe can be a cost-effective and practical choice for many machining operations. However, thorough research, diligent inspection, and careful consideration of your specific needs are essential to ensure you make a sound investment. No matter what you’re in the market for, a well-maintained and properly chosen lathe can become a valuable asset in your machining arsenal, contributing to your productivity and success.

With all of the above in mind, make sure to find a reputable used machinery dealer to assist in your search for a used lathe machine. At Revelation Machinery, we offer a large selection of used machinery and top-tier industrial equipment for sale. With a regularly-updated inventory of used lathe machines for sale including manual lathes, and CNC lathes such as multi-axis lathes, swiss-type lathes, vertical turret lathes, and used engine lathes for sale, our team is experienced and ready to help you find the right machine for your facility. Contact our equipment experts today and let us know how we can assist with your machinery needs or view our lathes for sale now!

Let’s Talk Money

If you’re financially squeamish, this might not be the right story for you. We’ll finish out this series by significantly increasing our investment of space, time and money, but we’ll also significantly increase our capabilities. We’ll cover our purchase of a lathe in this installment, then talk about our Bridgeport vertical knee mill next time. 

These are real tools that cost real money, and you’ll need to budget a few thousand dollars to follow along at home. On the bright side, you can accumulate these machines and tools gradually, and if you buy right, they’ll actually appreciate in value as you build parts. 

Why a Lathe?

Lathes and mills may look different, but they’re remarkably similar. The lathe spins the work while holding the tool steady, while the mill spins the tool while holding the work steady. 

Seriously, that’s all there is to defining the genres. We’d call them complementary tools, and every well-equipped machine shop has both. If you can only have one, though, we recommend starting with a lathe. 

The basic layout of a lathe is simple: There’s a bed with ways, on which the carriage slides back and forth. One end has the head stock assembly and spindle, which holds the spinning part, while the other end has a moveable tailstock, which holds the drill chucks, centers and more. To build parts, metal is put into the chuck mounted on the spindle, then tools are attached to the carriage and used to cut the metal. 

What can you build with a lathe? “Round things” is the standard answer, but part of being a machinist is figuring out how to use the tools at hand to solve the problem–even if that means using the tools to make new tools. 

Rule number one: There are no rules. As long as you don’t do something unsafe, just about any combination of tool, setup, machine and technique is fair game if the result is the part you were hoping to create. 

For more lathe machine manufacturerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

A skilled operator can use a lathe to make bushings, spacers, shafts, hubs and more. Basically, if a part can be drawn with cones, spheres and cylinders, you can probably make it on a lathe. 

And that’s before you get creative. With the proper attachments, you can also use a lathe for light millwork, like cutting a keyway or milling a slot, or for some more specialized techniques, like winding your own springs. 

We’ll explain it this way: Some tools are obviously designed to do one thing out of the box incredibly well, like a balljoint press or an inner tie-rod removal kit. Other tools, like a vise, don’t have any obvious purpose or project out of the box, but over time you wonder how you could ever live without one on your bench. 

Lathes fall firmly into the latter category. Drag one home and you’ll soon realize why every great shop has a lathe in the corner. 

How to Buy a Lathe

“I think I’m going to bid on a mill at this furniture auction.” 

That was how we opened our call to Steve Eckerich, lifelong friend, machinist and advisor when it comes to our every tool purchase. His response was a sigh, an explanation of how to evaluate a used mill, and then a simple statement: “If I could only keep one tool in my entire shop, it would be my lathe. Are you sure you want to start with a mill?”

Damn right we were. After all, buying that crappy mill from the back corner of an off-brand couch auction would open up a whole new world of building parts, and we couldn’t wait to bid it up to the top of our budget–just $300.

We watched the bidding unfold: $50, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300 and…. 

Nowhere near sold. That tiny off-brand bench mill sold for more than twice the cash in our pocket, and a smirking old man opposite us in the crowd became its new owner. 

The group walked over to the next lot, a lathe that looked like something you’d buy out of a Sears catalog at the train depot, and the bidding began: $50, $100, $150, $200…SOLD. 

Shockingly, we were holding the winning paddle. Maybe it was fate, maybe it was divine intervention, or maybe Steve Eckerich really is that powerful. We’d just bought our first lathe. 

Meet Our First Lathe

What does $200 buy in the used lathe market? If you’re as lucky as we were, you’ll get a Craftsman 6-inch lathe, also sold under the Atlas brand name. We also received a few buckets of random tooling, some extra chucks, milling and taper attachments, and a stand to put it all on. 

If that read like Greek to you: same. 

Our Craftsman lathe was serviceable, but ultimately too small for our needs. 

We had no idea what we’d purchased, but over the next few years we slowly learned the ropes of maintaining and running a lathe. We learned that 6-inch refers to the maximum diameter of work that can be turned. We learned that our lathe’s antique “lantern” tool post was frustrating and slow when changing tools. 

But we used it. There are parts made on that Craftsman on our LS-swapped 350Z and our Isuzu Trooper. Thanks to YouTube videos, we were able to learn how to run a lathe effectively, even when cutting tough metals like stainless steel.

But we also learned that, above all else, our lathe was just too small for what we wanted to do.

After giving the little Craftsman a bath, a tune-up and a modern quick-change tool post, we sold it to a friend for $500. We credit the pandemic for most of our lathe’s appreciation, but this is also a great example of how well these sorts of tools hold their value.

Building a Lathe Shopping List

Our first lathe wasn’t great, but it was a great learning exercise. We kept a wish list every time we used it for a project, culminating in the following:

1. Rigidity: This is the primary differentiator between a good machine tool and a bad one–same as how, when it comes to engines, there’s no replacement for displacement. Two strong people could pick up our Craftsman lathe, which was great for relocating but bad for staying rigid while cutting metal. We wanted our next lathe to be a giant hunk of metal that would allow deeper cuts. 
2. Power: A rigid machine that can take deep cuts is pointless if those cuts stall the motor, so we needed more horsepower from our next lathe. 
3. Gears: We wanted a quick-change gearbox, which allows the gear ratio between the spindle and the leadscrew to be changed quickly for threading operations. Changing the thread pitch on our Craftsman required replacing gears on the back of the lathe, called change gears, to vary the ratio. We wanted to simply pull a lever when cutting threads. 
4. Work Envelope: Six inches just wasn’t enough to get the job done. We wanted to be able to cut larger-diameter parts. More importantly, we wanted a larger-diameter through hole in our spindle; that way we’d be able to insert axle shafts in the chuck without having 3 feet of stickout. 

Buying a Better Lathe

Wishlist in hand, we cruised Facebook Marketplace for a few months until we stumbled across our next lathe: a rusty JET PS on a homebuilt stand. The asking price was just north of $, and its location was less than 45 minutes from home. After talking the seller down to $700, we loaded up our newest acquisition with the help of the seller’s old tow truck and headed home.

Start buying real tools, and you’ll need a real plan to drag them home. Ours involved a tow truck, flatbed trailer, engine hoist and car skates. 

What exactly is a JET PS? This imported machine is about 40 years old and definitely one solid step up from the Craftsman. It’s about the best machine we could reasonably fit into our garage and budget. It weighs about 800 pounds and has a 12-inch capacity with a 36-inch-long bed–hence the in its name. It also has the other niceties on our wish list: a quick-change gearbox, a much bigger motor and a quick-change tool post.

We spent a week or so getting our the JET ready for action, which meant a thorough wipe-down with ATF, replacing the seals around the spindle, and rewiring the motor to plug into a 220V outlet. Along the way, we got to take an intimate look at our new lathe’s condition and realized it was in great shape–we’d rolled the dice and gotten lucky. Finally, we had a real lathe in the garage. 

Meet our newest tool, this JET PS. For just $700, it wasn’t perfect but didn’t have any major flaws. We cleaned it up, fixed the wiring, replaced a few seals and started making parts. 

But we soon realized that, just like pet guinea pigs, pet lathes are happier with a buddy. In our quest to build the best parts possible, we’ll find a milling machine companion for our lathe in the next installment and take our home machine shop to the next level.

For more information, please visit metal tube laser cutting machine.