Mini Lathe "The First Tool" Unboxing and Review
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- čas přidán 26. 09. 2018
- We got one of those 'The First Tool' mini lathes from eBay and Fox did a review on it.
A follow-up review can be found at • Mini Lathe "The First ...
Things made with this lathe:
Making an Ebony Wood Ring
• Making an Ebony Wood R...
Making a Conductor's Baton
• Making a Conductor's B...
Making Violin Soundposts
• Making Violin Soundpos...
Making Violin End Pins
• Making Violin End Pins
We have a Patreon page if you feel generous and want to support the channel!
/ sculptyworks
#unboxing #review #lathe - Zábava
The small black plastic thing, is a centre finder for tubular objects or square objects, put it on the end, draw a line, move it round and draw another line. Where the lines cross, that's your centre.
That odd bit of black plastic that you showed at the end is a simple device to find the centre of a circular piece of wood, which is where you insert the right hand part of the lathe to stabilise your work.
👍
The right hand mount, is called the tail stock, and it has a pin with a sharp point, called a "dead centre" in it. The diamond knurled, metal tubing, is holding that pin in place, is actually threaded, so you can loosen it, remove that dead centre and add a small bit or larger drill bit with a smaller shank. Overall it looks like a nice hobby lathe. Thank you for the review as I might consider purchasing one now.
Have been fascinated by there for years.
Thanks for making.
The piece that you not recognised is a great tool, its a centerfinder!
The unknown tool is a center finder for cylindrical turning stock. It helps identify where to place the tail stock when turning longer pieces that need the support.
Thank you for the Good honest review.
The plastic arrow thing is a senter finder. To find the senter of a circular object.
The item you are asking about is a centre finder for round and square stock. Good review thanks.
I am thinking to buy the same machine so this video is very helpful, thank you!
the plastic bit is a centre finder for rods!
The "misterious" tool is a center finder, what you usually improvise using a square and a ruler, you place it on top of a rod, and start to cross a line, and turn it, another line, etc, and all will converge on the exact center of the piece........it is probably used so you can attach better the piece, to reduce the stress on the machine while turning.
The little black tool that looks like an arrow, the one you don't know what it is , well it's for finding the center of round stock material. You place it across the end of the round section and scribe a line, rotate it 90deg ish and scribe a second line where the 2 cross is the center.
oOhh! Thank you for letting me know! :)
The man doesn't know what a centre finder is but is ' reviewing ' a ' lathe '. Mind boggling I guess.
That plastic piece you didn’t know about is a center finder for round stock. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I'm thinking about getting one for making parts in combination with a 3D printer. From what I have gathered I think I would upgrade the machine with a 4 jaw chuck and some other parts upgrades and such to make it stronger and more precise. Thanks for the overview.
I have a bunch of NEMA17 steppers spare from my 3D Printer builds and a second speed controllable 500W spindle from my 3016 CNC upgrade.
And a variety of x0x0 style aluminium profiles and20/40/80/120mm wide 2-10mm thick steel plates to build a larger and sturdier bed with (which I also used to sturdy up my main 3D Printer and 3016 CNC)
This looks like a great platform to buy to get the chuck and other pieces of hardware standard on a lathe (axis, nobs, a nice little tool sled and endpost) for cheap to build out a more "Mini Lathe" sized lathe out of it.
120-180$ vs 400-1000$ for a starter lathe before deciding if you want to buy a qualified metal lathe of any size, not a bad deal if all the parts are metal.
thanks you saved me
Glad you did a review bud!! Thanks so much!!
think I'm gonna get one and upgrade the electric motor and extend it for light steel work (Mainly bushings)
I've considered some upgrades too, but so far mine is working fine for the woodturning I've been doing. Just gotta keep in mind that the cost of the upgrades doesn't add up to the point where you could have bought a bigger/better lathe in first place. :)
@@SculptyWorks that's exactly right bud, haha. I think if you extended it and upgraded the electric motor to something with more torque and a speed controller and more tooling, it'd be perfect and 1/8th of the price and size of a "mini"/full size. Tons of aftermarkets for these :)
It's a centre finder for marking the end of a round bar
Ended up with two as they refused to alter order when I found out there was a mistake (10 minutes) not bad for small wood jobs that is about all, better to spend bit more and get better lather even secondhand
Its what they use to make bigger Lathes with.
The odd shaped piece of plastic crap is for finding center on end of round stock. Surprisingly, it actually is the best piece of equipment that comes with the package. LOL
Good video
its a centre finder
Thanks for posting, I was looking at one of those mini lathes. Think it would be powerful enough to cut a channel into a copper rod?
Possibly! I would recommend going very gentle on it, though!
Thanks for the video. I'm new to lathes and just picked up one of these.
The Chuck and chucked pieces seem very out of round though, I'm not expecting superb precision obviously for the cost but you can see the oscillation of the chuck.
Did you notice this on yours?
Mine was slightly off-centered, but not too terribly much. But later I bought a different chuck because I didn't like the one that came with it, felt like I was going to wear through it before too long. I think the one that comes with it is either cast zinc or aluminum, so I got a steel one. ...which was only a slight improvement as far as precision goes because it was a HarborFreight one. 😉
@@SculptyWorks That's great and thanks for the swift reply.
You mention in your update video that you can get aftermarket parts, can you recommend online links. I'm in the UK so no harbor freight unfortunately.
I know what you mean about the Chuck. It is a bit cheap cast looking and doesn't seem to grip particularly well, I've had stock slip off the live centre as it slides back into the chuck.
@@spidiq8 Check out aliexpress.com
I don't know if this link will work but give it a try gktools.aliexpress.com/store/group/Mini-Multifunction-Machine/222483_250593215.html?spm=a2g0o.store_home.pcShopHead_8215855.1_1 I'm in no way affiliated with them but I bought from that vendor before without any problems. 😊
the little plastic tool like an arrow is a center finder ;)
metal gears? I am impressed.
Finds centre of a circle
I notice there are several sets of holes, in the support plates, for the headstock and tailstock.
I'm wondering if you can use the different sets of holes, to raise the headstock and tailstock, to allow the turning of larger diameter workpieces?
Yes-ish. You would also want support from beneath, otherwise they would be just dangling up there and would be rather flimsy.
*Question, what is the biggest diameter aluminum round stock it could handle? I want to make some 3cm diameter 1cm high cylinders.*
The chuck can grip safely approximately 20mm diameter. The maximum length would be around 120mm. The maximum diameter you could have in it and still be able to rotate freely would be around the size of the chuck, which is about 60mm.
Foxymans is going to be the next tim the tool man :3
Not my intention, but let's see where life takes us! ;)
Did you have any issues with centering the too bit to the chuck? My tool bit seems to be ever so slightly above so it tends to rub rather than cut as well as cause flex in the cross slide when trying to cut. I guess the machine is solid but not that solid....
Mine seemed to be Ok, but after I started modifying things on it and using different tools, I had to use shims to get the correct height.
Also, make sure the gibs are nice and snug (but not overtight), they help diminish the 'flexing' you mentioned.
Man, you need to drill a hole for the tailstock. Also, you can grind your cutter to give it a positive rake angle so it will cut more freely.
The little triangular tools name is center finder. Thanks
I started laughing like a deranged maniac when I realized that was a square with a center marker
Is this powerful enough to file down 1/4" aluminum rod to make toggle switch caps ?
If you're very gentle with it, it should be!
brilliant review I wish I watched this before buying mine. I've used it twice for about a total of 20 minutes on wood and the drive belt has lost all its teeth I can't find a 69 MXL Drive belt for anywhere. so now I cannot use it anymore. I've now bought a PROXXON FD 150/E which is a fantastic little lathe.
The PROXXON FD 150/E looks nice!
Search zhouyu in Ali Express for belts
@Bartosz Kucharski good recommendation
You need a 4 jaw chuck for blank cast parts. You will be struggling to get a good grip in a 3 jaw chuck.
Hi i have question for you....how max. Size of wood cube for working i will used for make a pipes . Thx for answer
The chuck can grip safely approximately 20mm diameter. The maximum length would be around 120mm. The maximum diameter you could have in it and still be able to rotate freely would be around the size of the chuck, which is about 60mm.
Hi, what is the height from the lathe chuck to the base? I will be turning blocks of wood that are 2-3" thick. Wondering about the clearance before making a purchase. Thank you!!
The clearance between the lathe bed and the chuck is maaaybe 5mm, it's really little. So you wouldn't be able to swing 2-3" stock (provided you figure a way for the chuck to hold on to it) unless you elevated the chuck and tailstock like I did on my follow-up review czcams.com/video/FPSQ0Om3FmI/video.html
You can get riser blocks to make the chuck and tail stock.
Me again, I got my lathe altogether and working but there were some extra parts? 2 x points which appear to be similar to the point in the tailstock and 4 screw, 3 x longer ones and 1 x shorter one?? Are these spares do you know as I don't like bits left over with seemingly no purpose....Thanks.
I don't remember having any spare parts on mine.
One of the problems with these things is that they're notorious for lack of consistency. You got extra parts. Someone else out there is missing parts. Mine came with just the right amount. It's a mess! 😉
@@SculptyWorks I understand that, I can put up with a couple of screws extra, but the 2 pointed rods??? LOL
@@nigelcaddick7113 I bought the same lathe and had the same extra parts.
Hello. Can i use the hole in the back if i have long wood? And how big is the diameter?
Yes, you can stick things through in there, as thick as 7.1mm (9/32").
You could buy a longer piece of aluminum extrusion.
Thanks and good information, this machine suitable for mild steel?
I wouldn't recommend it for steel, though it might work if you go very very slowly and have a lot of patience. 🙂
I have one of these and you can turn mild steel, but very slow and steady.
@@dailacey89, if you need the other new one, try to test our miniature machine tools,thanks
Is it holding up still
How's your micro lathe holding up after all these years? It would have been good had you used some oil on the gears before you turned it on, for the first time.
I actually haven't used this little lathe in a while, though it is still fully functional; most of what I have been turning is way too big for it. 😉
I'm thinking you could use a cordless drill, fitted with a suitably sized socket, as a power feed, for the carriage.
Some modifications would be needed. You could use it one-way, but going the other way would unscrew the nut that holds the handle and all to the lead screw. 😉
Hi there Ive just got one of these and would like to know how I can put a drill chuck on the tailstock? what parts do I need to buy in waht sizes? many thanks....
I got this one www.aliexpress.com/item/32514016107.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.23454c4dSSSWLs
The threads on the tailstock and headstock are M12x1 so anything with that thread pitch should also fit.
@@SculptyWorks Thank you for your quick reply... I have an old black and decker keyless drill chuck I was using on an old lathe... But it wont fit? looks like it is a n M12... but wont screw on..... anyway thanks for the help much appreciated...
@@stewartlegg2269 I find that M12x1 is actually kind of unusual, you normally see M12x1.25 and M12x1.75 more often. I also had an old B&D drill chuck (don't remember what the threads are) that unfortunately didn't fit, threads were too coarse.
@mez90b I haven't used the tiny lathe in a while, these days I use primarily the Harbor Freight one ( czcams.com/video/wM7Blf_HlOc/video.html ). My workshop is too small to have two machines that do the same thing taking up space so I have to prioritize. 😉
@@SculptyWorks Where can we get this product?? :)
That plastic thing is for finding the centre of a circle
My brother just bought his first metal lathe. It's an antique mini lathe and he is planning to restore it. It's a 1949 6" x 12" Craftsman Model 80 - usually catalogued as the 109-21270.
It's his 30th birthday coming up and I want to get him some tools or accessories for his lathe. Can you help recommend something? I know nothing about lathes
That really depends a lot on what he already has, and the condition of the lathe he's going to restore. Anything from a gallon of Evaporust to some sandpaper or paint could be useful. 😉
If you're going for tools, again it depends on what he already has, but personally I find digital calipers a must to have so they would be my first recommendation. Then maybe a set of cobalt drill bits...
@@SculptyWorks Hey thanks for the advice! I'm going to get him a digital caliper and screw gauges :)
can you replace the piece in the tail stock? maybe with a 1/4" hex shank the same as screw driver bits use?
I'm not sure what piece you mean. The live center it comes with could be replaced, the tailstock has a M12x1 thread (same as the headstock chuck).
@@SculptyWorks yes sorry the live center, can that be replaced with a 1/4" hex shank like what screwdriver bits are? Like if I want to put a normal #2 phillips bit in there instead of the live center?
@@deadhorse3389 You would have to fabricate something that allows you to fasten the bit to the tailstock. The live center that comes with it is a pointy thing pressed in a bearing (which is pressed in on a threaded cap that screws on the tailstock ram), it can't be simply swapped for a different bit.
if you buy another 3 or 4 jaw chuck. for these machines then you can just replace the live centre
for one of these chuck, Thus you can put other items in it, like hex head screw driver bits & Drill bits, and other cutting tools and small Threading taps.
Does it have thread cutting gearing?
Nope, it doesn't have any gearing.
Do you think it would be able to do urethane?
Probably, yes! (I haven't tried it myself)
But like all things with this machine, I advise a gentle touch, and as with all lathes, nice sharp tools. 😊
Can you put a drill chuck into the tail stock?
Yes, but that's a part you have to buy separately.
just buy another 3 or 4 jaw chuck and it will go on the tail stock end, Also you will gain more use.
Hi, how about the machine tool compared with unimat ?
If you mean an old Unimat like the SL models, they are superior in quality but also higher in price. If you mean a machine that looks like this one but has a Unimat label on it, it's basically this same machine, with a label that says Unimat, nothing more. It might come with some different setup/options but it's basically the same thing.
Another dovetail articulation system instead of universal profiles. There is practically no choice of shaft rotation speed (only 2000 instead of 2000 and 700 in Unimat)
What's the size of the beams? Length, width and height. Thanks.
The main 'beam' part is 280 x 50 x 50 millimeters, but you only get a working area for a piece about 25 x 135 millimeters (unless you do some modifications, which I'm working on for mine ;) ).
@@SculptyWorks thank you! 🤗
m.alibaba.com/product/60756895221/PG50-4-slots-5050-aluminum-profile.html?s=p
Found this, seems like the same profile
The mystery tool is a center finder.
👍
Exactly which seller did you purchase this from?
I'm sorry, it's been far too long for me to remember, and my purchase history doesn't seem to go that far back. 😕
If you are looking for one of these, you can find them and all sorts of accessories on aliexpress.com (not a sponsor).
That's made from Hard Plastic or Aluminum...?
The base is hard plastic. Everything else is aluminum.
center finder
👍
Anything similar like this but that its actually automated?
Not that I know of! ...at least not on this price range.
Not like this one particularly, but in the range of 60-80 kg there are minilathes, most of them prodused in china too, either by Weiss or Sieg and rebranded for whatever country they are sold in. Weiss has better everything really from what I heard but is more expensive so idk(400-500$ for either of them? Idk). There are also Proxxon(Europe) and Taig(USA) lathes Taig has supreme quality as far as I know but comes in most basic form, many upgrades can be bought for it so 200&+ whatever accessories, about 21 kg afaik. Proxxon is good but there are often counterfeits or whatever so bad leadscrew nuts and carriage finishing. No idea how much it costs, weight about 36 kg afaik. Can probably also buy old lathes from whatever country you live in either small or big ones. There is also like 30$ wood lathe on amazon or whatever, full aluminum, has like 30 parts is really good for it's price only mods you'll need are better support for the cutter(basic cant go close to the small stock so longer support maybe steel one if you plan to freeturn softer metals) and rotating tailstock 180° for less bending and more space. Last video of that lathe also came with one exeptional cutting tool and not 6 bad ones so its maybe a thing, idk.
Weiss and Sieg are automared as is, Taig can be if you buy the leadscrew thing, Dont know about Proxxon but probably not, look it up
Serve solo per lavorare matite?
Sarebbe utile, sì. 😉
Instructions are in English because we are the only tools who would buy them.
Anyway to slow the rpm down
None with the default setup, but this is a DC motor, you can slow it down if you can adjust the voltage with a different power brick or set it up with a potentiometer.
is it fit with pool cue?
A whole stick? Oh no, not at all!
@@SculptyWorks not a whole stick, just a shaft. is it fit with the cue shaft?
@@phonesouphanh No, you need a big lathe for that. This thing is tiny!
Will it blend?
I don't have a Blendtec blender to test it unfortunately. 😉
@@SculptyWorks What a pity, I would have gladly watched the video :D
@@lore78 Maybe I should get one of their blenders, and make a channel where all I do is try to blend things... oh wait, it's been done! 😉
can it turn rings
We made a wood ring! 😉
czcams.com/video/7i5kIS_wTiU/video.html
You could probably make rings with soft metals, but you have to be very delicate in the process.
Puede hacer tornillos?
Sería muy difícil. Requeriría muchas modificaciones.
Face Palm! Watch this video to learn how to turn that aluminum rod and get it stabilized with the end stock. You will probably have to center drill by hand since your lathe is limited but it will get you in the ballpark. czcams.com/video/w46cnvjIJzA/video.html
he he microwave
now im hungry
well it's a lathe czcams.com/users/postUgkxN9zrzkkhnjUF5PQbuA_B1gYdsfCu9k6z but it wasn't what i would have anticipated. Headstock, tailstock, carriage apron are manufactured from aluminum now not cast iron. The spindle diameter for the bearings is too small allowing for a few play in the spindle so I am using some blue Loctite to take out the play.
Thanks for the video I was expecting somewhat bigger. I may not buy this
They are very small. If you watch the follow-up video you'll see I lengthened mine some. 😉
I found out when were holding on your palm . Thank you so much for the information.
Kompared to a sherline it's junk! You need to get a drillbit into the tailstock.
Indeed there is a significant difference in quality, but also there is a significant difference in price.
you could build a better 'lathe' by putting an electric drill into a bench vise. That thing shouldn't even exist
Wait wait wait wait did you say aluminum or aluminium?
I use them interchangeably to keep people on their toes! 😉
Huuuhh😳
@@James-en1ob 😁
TCenter finder.
It's tó find the centre
👍
Thanks for the review, review as this looks just too crappy to get any real work done with. It seems like a nice toy to learn how a bench tool works but that is kind of expensive to be so junkie.
Hey, do you know of a mini lathe I could get that would allow me to make some nice wooden bowls?? I don't have a big budget, so I'm just looking for something reliable that is as cheap as possible. Any advice helps, thank you!
@@EmpressRetard Well honestly I don't know a lot about wood turning. Most of my needs are little aluminum brackets, mounts, and so forth though I have been migrating to stainless steel of late... ha, ha, ha... Basically, you need something that will allow you to face-turn something. This means the tool rest needs to come around to the face of your bowl. It also needs to be sized to the diameter you want to produce. Best of luck with your projects...
@@superbmediacontentcreator oh okay, thanks anyways, I appreciate it! Online shopping is so difficult nowadays, everything's expensive, and so many websites are just scams. So difficult to find what I need from a reliable seller, and at a decent price! 😩
Doesn't help that I'm going into it blind haha. Hopefully whatever I get will do the trick! ☺️
@@EmpressRetard I know what you mean but if I may offer a suggestion hunt around on CZcams and find someone making things like you want to make then just figure out what tools they are using and well write the content creator to find out if they don't already probably list the gear already.
Dear, could you also help us take a similar video? Thanks
What sort of help would you like? 😊
@@SculptyWorks czcams.com/video/EoyaUZUTyRk/video.html
@@Andy2023STEAMEDUCATION Neat! But I'm still not sure what sort of help you need.
Это центроискатель
This is a copy of a Austrian made Unimat Classic from the company Cool Tool, which have been produced in more than 15 years. The company offer this for educational purposes. I'm kind of sad, when people buys these chinese knock-offs.
chinese Knock offs wow that's an understatement, The motor Was made IN CHINA
A rip off of the Unimat 1: Even the tools are a rip of.
unimat 1 is a rip off, this clone version is the clone of the unimat metal line version which costs only £100 on aliexpress while at the cooltool.com, its over £600- but offers same functionality, the same motor used and the same spindle concentricity tolerance which I've tested using a dial indicator because i have both of them, unimat is a rip off.
you spent 400$ on that shit?
No, I don't know where you came up with that figure. 🤨
how to waste money and time
No micro tool is a waste of time, if your into making small items like 1/16 scale .then these are great
as you would struggle to make on a large lathe. IE try machining 2 or 1 mm bar on a large lathe,
Small machines for small work, Large machines for Large work. Simples
Don't say that. I've had one of theses for a month and have started Making rings for people.
Had one of these for 4 years. As long as you stick to what it's capable of it'll do fine for small/light jobs.
Certainly hasn't been a waste of money.
Have you used this to make a wooden bowl? I'm looking for a mini lathe that I could use to make wooden bowls with. It would be cool if I could make regular sized bowls, but if I can only make smaller ones, that would be okay too. I don't have a big budget, so if you could give me any advice on cheap tools I could get that would allow me to successfully make some bowls, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!! ☺️
I don't think this lathe would have the torque, or the holding capacity needed to make bowls, unless they're going to be dollhouse bowls. 😉
If you're going to be doing woodturning only, then I would recommend something more purpose-fit, like a Harbor Freight Benchtop Wood Lathe, or the equivalent from other brands like WEN. At this time I think they're around $300, which can be pricey, and you would need some chisels/gouges too. You probably can find a used lathe and gouges cheaper, but this is a case where you'd rather not cut corners. Don't need to go crazy if this is just something you'll do for fun, but try to get a tool you wouldn't be fighting with to get your work done.
The chuck that came with mine is not concentric. absolutely garbage. I would have to grind each jaw so they would match..
In the end the machine is useless. I see too many problems that can come up from it, specially the chuck getting loose. I really hate chinese crap.........if you want a real machine, you should go for something like the PROXXON mini lathe DB-250 (cost the same this toy cost, around $200) if you want to work on wood, and a PD250 if you want to work on steel ($1200 average prize)
Tu non capire un caxxo
How about a link to the product in the description, hmm? Kinda pointless, otherwise, to review a product with no direction to find the same ourselves, yeah?
There is no specific link to the product because you can get this from many, many different sources. Mine I got from eBay, from a seller that doesn't have these lathes available anymore.
The place I often link to when people ask me about parts for the lathe is aliexpress.com. On that site there are several vendors offering lathes like these, and this would be an equivalent of the one I got: www.aliexpress.com/item/1935982384.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.11.107a1278M8EaZz
Iys called Google...
It is a Chinese copy of the original "thecooltool" tool made in Austria. Please do not buy the Chinese copies that invade the intellectual property of those who really developed the product and have their true merit. Thecooltool is an Austrian brand. Buy original, not copies.(www.thecooltool.com/en/)
yea, 90 dollar from aliexpress
I think the patent expired on it so is no longer owned buy just one company, just like how any one can make light bulbs.
That part you asked to be identified is a center finding tool for the end of a dowel or rod. Make a line with a pencil once and then rotate it and make a second line. Where they intersect is the center.