8x12/8x14 Harbor Freight/Lathemaster Mini-Lathe! Harbor Freight 8x12 and Sieg X2 Mini Mill, DRO, CNC Conversion Plans, Machining/Metalworking How-tos and Resources

:: About Us ::

:: Kahale & Martin AP Machine::

This site was created to document and display various machine projects. I consider it an organic document and content
will change from time to time to limit the size of the site.

As a member of the "7 X 12 Mini Lathe Site" you can find me via the group.
Or post questions and/or comments to Martyn@TBCNET.COM
Please use "Project Lathe" in the subject line so my Spam filter doesn't toss you r post

ALL content of this site is the property of Kahale & Martin AP Machine.
01/28/2007

Regards
Martin C. Nissen

The above photo is an example of the types of projects undertaken since the original Seig C2 was purchased from
Harbor Freight perhaps a year ago or so. This is a double ball thrust bearing conversion for the tool slide that in the
end cost nearly half the cost of the machine. One bearing mounted in the dial and the other in the adaptor plate.
Eventually, this will be moved to the new machine.

As is the case with most new buyers I assumed that 7 X 10 meant 10" between centers. Some call it an 8, not even
close, a bit less than 7" with commercial centers. I thought about just buying a Micro Mark C3, however after so much
time and money was already spent the decision was made to just do a 14" bed extension in kit form as is available from
Little Machine Shop. Well that's the way it started anyway. My lessons on the C2 taught me that these machines need
more than just a little TLC.

John Moran, (www.GadgetBuilder.com) and a moderator of 7 X 12 site implored me to create my own site to document
the work on this project. With over 4,400 members, space is limited and gaps in threads prevent fluent unfolding of the
project in a manor anyone could follow. John also put me in contact with John Bently, (http://www.jrbentley.com) whose
work is the peak of perfection and that was my undoing :) After contact with Bently and viewing his Busy Bee and Taig
works of art, my fate was sealed.

By default this site will be under continuous construction, as the project unfolds and as my skills with web page
construction progress.

Thanks to my wife whose computer and digital photo skills far exceed mine.

Thanks to John Kresser, owner and operator of Kresser Precision Industries. John provides much of the insights,
special equipment and measurement needs and is a third generation Tool and Die Maker.

7x10, 7x12, 7x14 MINI-LATHE