which do you prefer a Lathe or bench top drill/mill

[gabbyduffy]

             I've been looking for a lathe or a bench top drill/mill for my garage and was wondering which would be better for a beginner to start with for working on Harley heads?  Is there a particular size or brand lathe that mechanics prefer to use for working on heads? 
           

[Coff 06]

For head work I would think a mill over a lathe.But then again I don't do headwork.I was a machinist years ago,things change.            Coff 06

[q1svt]

Think about the types of things you will be making...  what do they require (milling, drilling, lathing) and how big are pieces your making?  Do friends/family already have one that is available where you can get the other? There are some small three in-one machines too... 

[PoorUB]

             I've been looking for a lathe or a bench top drill/mill for my garage and was wondering which would be better for a beginner to start with for working on Harley heads?  Is there a particular size or brand lathe that mechanics prefer to use for working on heads? 
           

Head work? I am not sure I would want either!

What type of head work are you thinking of doing? Most guys doing head work have a dedicated machine that is built just for head and valve work.

If you are serious about getting a mill/drill get one with collets. The mills with a morse taper don't hold milling cutters very well. fine for drilling, not so good for milling. Nothing better than to ruin a day when the milling cutter comes lose and gouges a gasket sealing surface.

[gabbyduffy]

                I would like to have the ability to deck a set of heads if need be, I have a few other projects in mind as well. need something that can run off a 240 line. I want to stay away from phase converters if all possible. What kind of mount would you need to attach a head to a lathe?

[FSG]

What kind of mount would you need to attach a head to a lathe?

A Trock Cylinder Head Face Plate.   I have one but my lathe isn't big enough   

[Olivepearl]

I do more general work on my Bridgeport than the lathe...but I prefer a mill anyway. I bought my Bridgeport Mill and SouthBend Lathe from Siemens when they upgraded their machines the only thing is it's 3 phase power and gave $1500 each and I will never wear them out and have more than paid for themselves 10 fold. If I did head work I think I would prefer a mill and would check out your local Industrial Manufactures to see if they have any older machines they would sell.

Robert

[PoorUB]

A friend of mine has an old Bridgeport mill and a lathe from www.grizzly.com. Both are three phase. He picked up a variable frequency drive and has the drive wired to run either of them through a couple contactors. With a VFD you get infinitely variable speeds.

You can pick up some nice used industrial equipment for a good price but be aware most of it is three phase. I have a nice Powermatic drill press with a three phase motor that I bought for $600. It replaced a ~ drill press that weighed 50 pounds. The Powermatic weighs around 600 pounds. I run it with a used VFD scavenged from my job when we were demo'ing a building.

[Just Nick]

FSG is trock stuff still available? I thought he passed away and no one took over.

[FSG]

There is still some of it kicking around.

[gabbyduffy]

     What size lathe would you need to run the trock plate? I'm guessing one can use the trock plate to mount cylinders down as well.

[Cracked Head]

13 inch ,preferable with lots of mass, aka heavy machine as the Trock plate with head mounted is out of balance.Some folks adapt counterbalance weights to Trock plate.The Trock plate is not for cylinders,but you can make up jigs to hold cylinders and will most likely need special chuck jaws made up.Remember the machine is the cheaper investment,it is the tooling and fixtures that really add up.

[q1svt]

I would like to have the ability to deck a set of heads if need be, I have a few other projects in mind as well. need something that can run off a 240 line.

Would look at Smihty 1-3 machines... big enough for HD heads, not so much car/truck.  Depending on investment $$ available either the Granite's or the Midas's models. 

http://www.smithy.com/granite/pricing/i-max

Remember the machine is the cheaper investment,it is the tooling and fixtures that really add up.

  and quickly

[HD95]

             I've been looking for a lathe or a bench top drill/mill for my garage and was wondering which would be better for a beginner to start with for working on Harley heads?  Is there a particular size or brand lathe that mechanics prefer to use for working on heads? 
           

If you plan plan on machining harley heads, a milling machine is the answer.

[Hillside Motorcycle]

We have 4 lathes, 3 mills, a drill press, 4 different grinders, 2 hones, 2 different cylinder head machining set-ups, and all tooled to the hilt, some of which will sit un-used..............right until you need it.
The tooling is what'll cost, as none of anything good, is inexpensive.

[prodrag1320]

if your going to start putting together a machine shop,get real machines.stay away from "bench top" anything

[gabbyduffy]

       Would a bench top mill/drill unit like this be sufficient?

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[Olivepearl]

if your going to start putting together a machine shop,get real machines.stay away from "bench top" anything

Never a statement more true. I took Votech in Highschool with Machining and Welding and I wouldn't buy Mickey Mouse tabletop anything just for home hobby starting out...but that is me! And I agree with Hillside the tooling will cost you 3-4 times what you pay for the Machines there again if you buy the good stuff.

Robert

[Homeward Bound]

There is still some of it kicking around.

There's one on Ebay right now for $300, I think. Link, here?

[truck]

       Would a bench top mill/drill unit like this be sufficient?

It's impressive looking but it's too flimsy. You need bulk for good results.

[Olivepearl]

       Would a bench top mill/drill unit like this be sufficient?

NO JET JUNK!!

[Coff 06]

I agree with looking flimsy, I think the machine should be a little overkill for the job at hand.
When your working with close tolerance the machine can't be flexing.       Coff 06

[HD95]

Try and find an older Bridgeport milling machine...shouldn't break the bank.

[PoorUB]

       Would a bench top mill/drill unit like this be sufficient?

Barely, looks like a hobby machine. Also does it have a collet in the spindle, or morse taper?

Check out the online equipment auctions, often you can find used industrial equipment at a good price.

http://www.maxanet.com/cgi-bin/mndetails.cgi?hoffhilk95

http://www.k-bid.com/

[FSG]

It'd be all right for some of the rough crap I do, putting holes in plate and such, but I'd not buy it for working on heads.  I've friends with Bridgeports that do that for me, while the small (POS)  lathe I have is for making axle spacers and such.