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

8x12/8x14 LATHE

First Look at the 8x12 Lathe

Here's the first impression of the 8x12/8x14 after just receiving it from the shipping dock. It's massive. You'd think (without knowing the actual weight) that the difference between a 7x12 and 8x12 is the swing. Wrong. Very wrong.

the obligatory crate shot. i ordered the splash guard as well. crate dims: 22"W x 37"L x 23"H guard box dims: 18"W x 33"L x 11"H
uncrated at the shipping facility.
here's what you get.
here's what's inside the tackle box.
splash guard in box.
it was dented.
what's the difference between a 7x10 and an 8x12? the 8x12 can eat the 7x10 for lunch. There are certainly advantages to having the 7x10, 7x12 or 7x14 mini-lathe. Its portability, reverse feed (by lever action), variable DC motor are a few of the niceties. You can turn 5/8" diameter ballscrews, ACME leadscrews, and even chunks of aluminum using a faceplate. But beware! Due to its size, concentricity and weight distribution is a limitation. We've tried turning things using a 4-jaw chuck and it can get quite interesting.. and dangerous as the lathe can easily start wobbling! Read up on the 7x mini-lathe at 7xlathes.com. We'll be launching 8xlathes.com and 9xlathes.com to talk more about the 8x12/8x14 and 9x18/9x20/9x30 lathes respectively.
a little rust on the way under the carriage?
finally, a 1.5" dia. rod fits this chuck. and i can use jobber drill bits!