It's just about time to order a lathe for my shop. My feeling is that I will want to do some metal work as far as reel seats go, maybe some more later. So my question to the group is this: Any one using a metal lathe for rod building ?? I'm looking at a " Lathe Master 8x14 " really hard now. I have a ATC Rod Building Lathe that I use for the rods and cork and it works very well ( I added the new lathe head, WOW is it nice ) but for the type of metal work I want to do it won't hold up and I shouldn't expect it to. Any hints or information passed my way would be great. Thanks guys and Happy Holidays to All.

Regards & Tight Lines,

Rick

Rick,
I own both...including two Jets and a Lathemaster 8x14. I use the Lathemaster a lot. I do ALL of the mandrels on the Lathemaster, and I'm sure it would work great for any type of rodbuilding related metal work such as aluminum/nickel reelseats, ferrules etc... I have done a TON of inserts on the Lathemaster as well. Here is the drawback; You'll never be able to do any type of work with hand tools on a metal Lathe unless you adapt some sort of tool rest. Compound curves are more tenous on a metal lathe because you can't use hand tools. Making smooth curves, coves, beads etc with the compound slide on a metal lathe requires a lot of practice, patience and persistence.
Having said that the Lathemaster is great Lathe, and Bob bertrand (the owner) is a real gentleman and a good friend of mine.

Let me know if I can help!

Andy Dear
Lamar Reel Seats

Where can I get info. on the Lathemaster 8x14 ? I am interested as well.
Thanks,
Art
mrparramoure@yahoo.com

The web address for that lathe is: www.lathemaster.com

Man, its been a long time since i have posted here. I have a lathemaster 8x14 and it is very nice. It is a very heavily built machine compared to the other small metal lathes. I turn everything on it, nickel silver, cork, wood, plastics... The only inaccuracy that i have noted on it is the with the tailstock. Runout is less than .0005 with some slight tinkering with the chuck. It is a few thousanths off center height wise. From what i have seen with other machines, it is a very nicely made machine and needed no work to make it run nicely. The motor is a belt drive so you get plenty of power, and moving the belt in between speed changes becomes only a few second job.

A good site to go to about small lathes is www.mini-lathe.com

Many thanks to all the answered my post. I guess that pretty much settles it, the Lathemaster is the one I'll get. Tahks again and happy Holidays.

Rick