Mini Lathe Versions

Other Versions

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Enco 7x10 Version

Enco offers a yellow 7x10 that appears to be similar or identical to the HF 33684 version.

MicroMark 7x12 Version

Update 09/08/02
Micro-Mark has discontinued their 7x12 version and is now the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Sieg-made 7x14 version
End of Update

MicroMark sells a red 7x12 that looks similar to the the Grizzly 7x12.  One important difference, though, is that this version has true inch calibrated leadscrews which can provide more accurate dimensions when using the calibrated dials to advance the cutting tool.

At the time of this writing (7/09/01) is on sale for $499.95, regular price is 569.95. Here are the specs from the Micromark web site:

Swing over bed: 7.087 inch diameter
Swing over carriage: 2.250 inches diameter
Distance between centers: 11.800 inches
Main spindle speeds: variable between 100 and 2500 rpm
Hole through main spindle: .787 inch diameter
Main spindle taper: MT-3
Carriage cross-feed travel: 2.560 inches (.050 inch per turn)
Compound slide travel: 2.160 inches (.050 inch per turn)
Tail spindle travel: 2.125 inches
Tail spindle taper: MT-2
Motor: 250 watt (1/3 hp) output, 110vAC, 50/60 Hz
Thread cutting: 12 to 52 TPI in 18 steps
Overall size: 12 inches high x 12 inches deep x 28 inches long
Weight: 78 pounds (basic machine without accessories).

Northern Tool 7x12 Version

Note: photo from NT web site shows a 7x10 model, but specs indicate a 7x12 [F.H.]

Clarke 7x12 Version (U.K.)

The 7x12 is sold in the UK under the Clarke brand name and is available from Machine Mart.

Clarke 7x12

Here's some more leads:

mini lathes are available under 3 different names in England. Chester Conquest, Warco, and Clarke distributed by Machine Mart. all are identical and come in metric or imperial versions, a conversion from one to the other is about £25. if you want accessories then look at all 3 catalogues as all charge different prices. i bought a faceplate for £18 from clarke but it was £40 from chester u.k

DAVID WILLIAMS BOLTON ENGLAND

Chester Conquest 7x12 (09/30/03)

Robert Moores sent me the following information and photo:

I bought a Chester Conquest lathe in June this year. (www.chesteruk.net). The lathe cost £395 including delivery and 17.5% tax. These lathes are fitted with a QCTP as standard. A picture of the lathe is attached. As David Williams says in his Clarke description, those of us in the UK have to shop around for accessories - he mentions a faceplate from Machinemart costing £20, and one from Chester costing £40. Chester sell a 4 jaw independent chuck for £45, what seems to be exactly the same chuck costs £80 from Machinemart.(www.machinemart.co.uk). We need something like the Little Machine Shop in the UK.

Careful examination of the following photo suggests that this model is the same as the early model 7x12 sold by Homier and currently sold by Cummins.

Cummins 7x12 (9/30/03)

I recently learned that Cummins Industrial Tools sells a 7x12 version that appears from the picture on their web site to be the same as the original model 7x12 sold by Homier. Some owners of that model machine liked it better than the more common Sieg brand. I had one myself for awhile and was quite happy with it. So if you have always wanted one of that type, or need replacement parts, this may be the place to get them. As far as I know at this time, no one has identified the original manufacturer of this model.

Cummins 7x12 (Item #5278)

Here are the specifications posted on their web site:

    Price: $399.99 (as of 09/03)

• This precision mini lathe is designed to perform various types of processing jobs
• Counterface turning, drilling, threading and cutting jobs on materials made up of round bar and bar materials can be performed on this machine
• This machine can be used in such areas as mini precision parts processing, sample processing and modeling works
• The lathe bed is made of high grade iron
• The rigidity of lathe, the hardness and accuracy of the v - slideways are obtained by raw materials, heat hardening and grinding
• The feed speed can be adjusted according to the requirements of the work
• The spindle speed is infinitely variable from zero to 2500 RPM
• Distance between centers: 12"
• Swing over bed: 7"
• Spindle taper: #3 Morse taper
• Tailstock taper: #2 Morse taper
• Chuck diameter: 3.15"
• Spindle bore: 0.79"
• Cross slide travel: 2.56"
• Top slide travel: 1.38"
• Threading: 18 threads from 12 to 52 TPI
• Horsepower: 0.53 (400W motor)
• Cross slide and compound rest dials: 1 mm / turn (0.0394")
• Leadscrew: 16 TPI
• Tailstock extension: 2.5"
• Compound rest travel: 1.38"
• Chuck mounting holes in spindle flange: 6 (3- and 4- hole pattern)
• Live center: #2 MT
• Dead center: #3 MT
• Includes:
  • Faceplate
  • Steady rest
  • Follower rest
  • Tailstock drill chuck
  • 5 piece cutting tool set

Busy Bee White Version (Canada)

Here is the elusive white 'Moby Dick' version of the 7x10 (B1979CI) at Busy Bee Tools for CAN $699.00.    They offer both an inch and a metric version.  Check out John Bentley's web site for more info on this version.

Busy Bee 7x8 Version

Gordon Oliver from Nova Scotia sent me some nice photos of his lathe, it was $725 CND on sale (09/02).

Note: although Busy Bee refers to this as a 7x8, I believe it is the same size as the typical 7x10.  Since the 7x12 is 4" longer than the 7x10, one could argue that the 7x10, using the same standards, is really a 7x8.

Grizzly Outlet 7x10 Version

Grizzly once sold a version of the 7x10, but discontinued it as a regular item prior to 1999. They still sell them through their outlet store for around $299.  Reports from users have identified a lot of shortcomings for this version, and that they non-returnable since they are clearance items.  Several owners have reported that components were missing as well as evidence that the machines had been used and abused by prior owners and returned to stock.

  Photo credit: Frank Black

Here's some more info posted by W.J Ward on the Grizzly Outlet 7x10:

I can add a little bit more in regard to the Grizzly 7x10 from their outlet store. It is an older model. Plastic change gears. One open end wrench for tailstock lock nut (i.e. does not include the one for the chuck nuts). Dead center. Tailstock can not be set over (fixed). Three holes in spindle plate (use of the J&L 3" 4-jaw would require more holes). MT3 headstock spindle taper. MT2 tailstock. No graduations on tailstock spindle. No graduations on handle. Plastic handles. No manual. No cover on the change gears. 3-jaw scroll chuck included. Chip tray on mine was smashed at the headstock end. Obviously someone dropped it. Came in cardboard box with moulded styrofoam. Lots of grease, chips, and surface grinding dust in nooks and crannies. I would have been very disappointed if I had bought this for the full price of $495.

And some comments by Frank Black about his experience:

Hi all, I've been lurking and saving for a while and finally purchased
a Griz outlet 7X10 for $299 (got impatient on the saving end). It
arrived about two weeks ago and upon opening the box I found a loose
collection of parts. After "some assembly required" I came up with
this (pic1). Yes, the leadscrew was in the box but it was missing the
right hand pillow block.

Apparently I was not the first owner of the beast as someone had
decided the underside of the front ways needed ground and what better
tool for the job than the trusty Sears angle grinder. (pics 2 and 3)

The moral here is to be fully informed if you choose to go this route.

Other Versions

Bruce Simpson lives 'down under' and has a version of the 7x10 that is similar to that sold by Harbor Freight but has different knobs and power supply.  The power supply, handles and front of the tailstock casting look similar to the new SKU#39916 HF version.

Photo credit: Bruce Simpson

Note the CJ9516 designation on the name plate.  This suggests that this model comes from the Sieg Machine Tool factory in Shanghai which uses this style of numbering.

Some other red versions from the Sieg web site:

Lathemaster.com 8x14 Lathe (06/17/02)

Photo from lathemaster.com web site

An interesting alternative to the 7x lathes is the  8x14 lathe version offered by lathemaster.com for $679 (as of 09/03). It seems to be a good fit between the 7x lathes and 9x20 class lathes. This may be a good alternative for those who want a somewhat bigger and more robust lathe than the 7x12 and/or a lathe that requires less tuning to be ready for operation.  Although the community of users of this lathe is still relatively small, those who have them have been very happy with the capabilities and performance. Allan Trest has posted some photos and favorable comments on his website. Another excellent source of information on the Lathemaster 8x14 is Dan Kautz's web site.

Here are the specs from the Lathemaster web site:

Aus Deutschland: Rotwerk Version

ROTWERK Elektrowerkzeuge

Here's a version of the 7x10 available in Germany. Their web site did not provide much detail, so you will have to contact them for details.