Who has a mini lathe

Looking at getting a mini lathe, I know nothing about lathes.
I just want the ability to cut threads and mill solid stock into parts.

A guy I went to college with took shop classes in high school but decided to weld instead of metalworking, so I do have someone to teach me once I get it.

Can I get a decent machine for ~$700?

 

I don't own one but I've taken a couple milling/machining classes, these things aren't cheap. The whole hobby is expensive but many people have had good luck with the mini lathes on ebay, just don't expect perfection. The cheaper the machine is the looser the tolerance and likely greater the runout. Look for one with a decent swing and preferably belt driven since you're a beginner (don't wanna lose a finger to a careless mistake)

 

You can sometimes pick up used Atlas Lathes for that kind of money. I paid $800.00 for mine This model has a 6" swing and 36" between Centers now this one setting up to cut threads is not fast change like some where you just move the levers to change to different threads

When you say Mini Lathe your sort of misleading yourself unless that is what your really looking for A mini lathe has a swing of maybe a 1" or 2" 12" centers.

Then remember a Lathe is for turning a Mill is for Milling

They do make those combo mill lathe machines which might be more what your looking for then most people end up selling these and getting two separate tools

These Machinists have there own language just like welders you need the decoder ring to understand.

Then remember lots of these are 3 phase so keep that in mind when shopping

 

Been looking at a machine like this.
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5200&category=1271799306

And they also have a mill that's a manual mill but can be converted to CNC.

 

Only you know just what you might be getting into so you can figure out just what your needs are

 

I have no idea what I'll use it for other than I would like to do some form 1 suppressors, I've always got little ideas that I like to build small models of.
Basically something like this design.
http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=136120

 

If you have specific threads in mind make sure the lathe you buy will chase them, all lathes do not cut all threads. Also make sure the length and diameter will do all you want.

 

The only threads I need are 28 TPI or 24 TPI, any others can be whatever I want (as long as they're strong enough) and I have taps/dies for the common ones I would need.
I shouldn't need any diameter over 1.25", but .75" pass through shouldn't be a problem, and I want to get the 7x16" model so I have more length to work with but ideally any suppressor wouldn't be any longer than 8.5"

 

I actually own both a Mini Lathe and Mini Mill, I am currently in the process of turning the Mill into a CNC

Heres me making the bracket for the X-axis with tolerances of .001 believe it or not
https://www.instagram.com/p/sOYv1oFmGL/

Heres the X-axis installed
https://www.instagram.com/p/s5_CRyFmMz/

I purchased both machines for roughly 600$ each, the lathe is identical to the one you have linked only mines blue, and I paid 600ish$. You can still hit tolerances of .0005" fairly easily but it takes some time, your maximum depth of cut is maybe .020-.040", so it definitely takes some time to get to your finished size. I've got to make a Z-axis for my mill still, then I will get onto turning the lathe into a CNC