Re: Do I really need an arbor press ?

"Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:vteup7$1jgvb$1@dont-email.me...
On 4/12/2025 4:49 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

...

I have debated something like a watch maker's lathe for smaller parts,
but I can usually muddle by with the 14x40.   I also consider the Taig
5C CNC lathe.  Its basically a Taig mill with a lathe spindle instead of
a column.  I kept the Harbor Freight 8.5x18 for small parts, but I
haven't turned it on in over a year.  Might be time to use it as a boat
anchor, and hope the rope breaks.  Nah, it still works kinda sorta.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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I examined and could have bought this watch maker's lathe from the store last year, and considered it for a while.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166992134715
It has an old fashioned graver tool rest like a wood lathe which requires considerable skill to use accurately. The description for using it that I found suggested they were best for repairers recutting shafts worn small, the watch factory used slide rest lathes for new production.
My Heavy 10 with a collet made #0-80 x 1.25" fillister head screws for an optics prototype easily. At the time I didn't have a metric conversion gear set. It isn't fast enough to drill small deep holes but it makes small brass instrument parts well and will start deep axle lube holes for the Sears AA to take over.
The AA is NOT a small lathe I would recommend, the spindle bends too easily and the 5/16-24 compound feed wasn't graduated until I indexed a 41-2/3 line dial for it. I put some work into restoring it for practice on more valuable machines.
I was unimpressed with the operation of a Prazi clone and the Sherline and Taig have too little capacity for me, I need a 1/2" or larger spindle bore. No one seems to be unloading a Rivett or P&W small precision lathe plus finding tooling for them is impossible.