Your Opinions..... Is this Sherline lathe worth it?

[Crow Horse]

I'm now searching for a Sherline lathe and came across this one on Ebay. Frankly, it appears that it was run hard and put away wet. It's missing the the tool post but does have a 3 jaw chuck and a drill chuck.

Is it worth considering or should I just trust my initial reaction and pass on it?

 

[IndyGarage]

I don't know anything about Sherlines, but I wouldn't shy away from it. Looks to me like it hasn't been run at all - I can't see any wear on the cross slide from chips.

Are those ways anodized aluminum? I'm not sure how they would be hard enough. Maybe it's coated steel. If so they are pristine.

I would buy it.

 

[pepi]

That is complete according to the site .

https://www.sherline.com/product/40004100-lathe


That lacks common features, those and tooling will be the biggest cost.


The site does not list the price of it. I sure would contact them and find out what NEW would be.





How are you planing to use a lathe, purpose ?

 

[Davefr]

I would opt for the 17" model. (that's the one I have). The extra capacity is nice to have and the cast iron bed seems more rigid. I'd also recommend the head and tailstock riser blocks for more capacity.

The previous owner mounted a steel plate on the headstock for an optional magnetic base stand.

I added the red power switch safety cover because it's easy to accidently bump the switch and turn on the lathe.

IMHO you can't go wrong with Sherline. USA made, tons of user support, and no problem getting accessories and/or spare parts. They are also easy to store and hold their value.

Good luck.

 

[Benw455]

Depends on Price? But from your pic it does not look bad.

 

[rlitman]

...Are those ways anodized aluminum? I'm not sure how they would be hard enough...

Anodized aluminum is both too hard and too soft. The anodizing is abrasive, and would quickly wear out a carriage.

All of the Sherlines I've seen like that had some sort of brass bed.

 

[Crow Horse]

I'm looking to turn brass pendulums. I have a couple of other small projects on the board for my small arbor press. Nothing large.

What's missing is a dead (or live) center for the tailstock, tommy bars, tool post, faceplate & dog and cutting tool set. I've scoured Sherline's website and some items are quite pricey. There are a lot of products that are aftermarket at a third of the price but I do not know if they are quality items. Sherline's products appear to be high quality.

I'm a complete novice in this arena but it looks like to get me up and running I'd need the cutting tools and post, and Tommy bars.

As it sits now it has the 3 jaw chuck and a drill chuck. Those 2 items new would be close to $200. Currently, the lathe is $300. Guessing at about another $150 using aftermarket items I could be up and running. Being that I'm learning as I go, I'm trigger shy to take the initial plunge.

 

[Crow Horse]

I would opt for the 17" model. (that's the one I have). The extra capacity is nice to have and the cast iron bed seems more rigid. I'd also recommend the head and tailstock riser blocks for more capacity.

The previous owner mounted a steel plate on the headstock for an optional magnetic base stand.

I added the red power switch safety cover because it's easy to accidently bump the switch and turn on the lathe.

IMHO you can't go wrong with Sherline. USA made, tons of user support, and no problem getting accessories and/or spare parts. They are also easy to store and hold their value.

Good luck.

Yes, Ideally I would love to have a 17" bed but my budget is small and finding used is like finding hen's teeth. I contacted Sherline and it is possible to retrofit an 8" with a 17" bed. Costly (just under $284) but if I can only find an 8" lathe now, somewhere down the road I do have the option to go larger.

 

[rlitman]

...What's missing is a dead (or live) center for the tailstock, tommy bars, tool post, faceplate & dog and cutting tool set. I've scoured Sherline's website and some items are quite pricey. There are a lot of products that are aftermarket at a third of the price but I do not know if they are quality items. Sherline's products appear to be high quality...

Sherline doesn't make chucks, but that's a place where you want the best. Faceplates and centers can be bought cheap. They're all the same.

As for tool posts, there are some aftermarket options that copy the Aloris design that look fantastic (but are pricey).

 

[Crow Horse]

Sherline doesn't make chucks, but that's a place where you want the best. Faceplates and centers can be bought cheap. They're all the same.

I think they do make chucks (not Jacobs)....

 

[Davefr]

Yes, Ideally I would love to have a 17" bed but my budget is small and finding used is like finding hen's teeth. I contacted Sherline and it is possible to retrofit an 8" with a 17" bed. Costly (just under $284) but if I can only find an 8" lathe now, somewhere down the road I do have the option to go larger.

I'm not a fan buying precision machinery sight unseen but if that 8" machine is a good deal then I'd say the risk is low since parts are readily available and these machines are usually hobbyist vs production.

 

[macgee]

Doesn't look too bad, I don't see wear on the anodizing, no apparent damage and looks lightly used and just has been sitting in a garage for may years. Lack of tooling will start to get pricey. You'll need a center, cutting tooling and a tool post to become operational for basic starter use.

These have been really popular lately, be careful on the bidding and keep in mind total monies needed to make this lathe usable before bidding. It adds up very fast!

 

[Houe]

They are light duty hobby lathes. You would not want to do a lot of machining on hard metals. They would work for plastics and light metals. They will be considerably less rigid than the 7x12 or 7x10 lathes (numerous brands sell them including harbor freight). That being said if the capabilities of the machine are sufficient for you projects I have heard good things about sherline's quality and precision.

 

[marinusdees]

I own a Sherline exactly (or almost) like this. My son used it to bore very precise holes for burner orifices for a start-up doing research on burner technology. And more for them. I also own a South Bend 9A. If I had to say which lathe I would buy again, it is, hands down, the South Bend. But, it depends on what you want to turn.
Until you start turning, you won't know.

 

[Crow Horse]

I pulled the trigger and with some luck it'll be here by the end of the week. One added surprise, it does come with a rocker tool holder. I'm looking forward to bringing this up to speed.

 

[kelpaso1]

I had a taig lathe and made some cool stuff with it. I moved and sold it but now I would like to get another one. Kinda calming and rewarding using a small lathe to make something.

 

[PugetDude]

I had a taig lathe and made some cool stuff with it. I moved and sold it but now I would like to get another one. Kinda calming and rewarding using a small lathe to make something.

I have one with a bunch of accessories I could probably be talked out of.
Wish you were closer.