Which lathe is costlier than the regular engine lathe?

I have a Sieg KX1 milling machine and have been considering a new little CNC lathe to compliment the Sieg. But what I can't understand is why the CNC lathes are more expensive than the CNC milling machines!

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After all, the lathe has one less axis to equip with a motor and ball screw and controllers etc. And a lathe is relatively simple to make with a bed and head stock, it may not even need a tail stock, and a manual tool change would be okay with me.

In the UK I have a limited choice of new machines, Wabeco CNC are over priced, so Axminster Tools and machinery are probably the place to go to, but their small machines start at £9,799 rising to £16,659 also a bit too much for what they are! Their Mills start at £6,675 (KX1 in a metal box) to £14,998.

I've been following Roger Webb on Youtube with his excellent Mini Lathe CNC conversion so maybe this is the way to go.

So as the thread title asks ' does any one know? why do CNC lathes cost more than CNC milling machines? Can we compare like for like?

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Ian

Originally Posted by

IT is a VERY rare 3 jaw chuch mounted to anything that will hold the same tolerance when clamped to a 1" part as it will when clamped to a 3" part.

My G Grizly lathe had specs provide when it was certed at the factor and they were better than 0.001 BUt as soon as you move it, all bets are off.

Unless the lathe is reset, leveled and recerted/aligned properly on a solid stand and level floor, you'll never see the same specs it saw on the floor when certed as opposed to just being dropped off the truck at your shop.

I'd be inclined to rank the ascending quality as Harbor Freight then Grizzly then Jet. WIth care, most of anything they sell will match or outperform a tired Atlas, West Bend or other domestic long out of production lathe.

For a cheap starter, go Harbor. For an affordable hobby and light/moderate duty shop use item, go Grizzly. For a true commercial shop, go Jet or better.

A "grand daddy" that is operational is worth the cost to refurbish as they are true, kick A$$ commercial, tool room quality lathes designed and built for 100% plus duty cycles.

The "tool room" lathes from Hardinge are true jewelry - with a cost to match.

Tiger's explanation is about as clear and consise ans one could ask for.

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