My Mini Lathe Adventure - Research Phase - Ep1 

Like others have commented, I too arrived at the same place as you, but I hen further decided to spend more money and go larger. I am now at the PM1022v.

I just got started with 3D printing. The 3D printing community was shockingly huge. Many in the community are metal workers, engineers, mechanics etc. I pretty much got bombarded by the RU-vid algorithm with power tools, CNC, Lathes and even more powertools. They all happen to intersect with each other. 3D print upgrades to the base 3D printer. 3D print CNC temporary parts. Purchase power tools i don't have but need in order to make enclosures and a ton of other practical parts. CNC and a lathe to replace all the 3D printed parts for all the above. It should say "warning" prepare to eat noodles indefinitely

That was VERY helpful! Thanks!

I purchased the LMS 7350 deluxe machine because of the brushless motor as well it has the quick change tool post. The only drawback is the shipping cost. I’ve had it for 3 months zero issues.

Bottom line is that this is truly a situation of if you want junk, then buy Harbor Freight which is the capital land of china made junk. If you want something that is at least moderately quality-made , fairly accurate, and actually going to last a good amount of time then pay at least around double for what you would pay at harbor freight. Precision Matthews lathes and milling machines are certainly worth the extra money! You get machines that were upgraded with quality parts, machined and calibrated to good accuracy, no plastic gears like harbor freight junk, and Precision Mathews is located right here in Pennsylvania United States which actually gives you quality customer service that actually speaks clear English, gives you knowledgeable answers to any problems you have, comes with a 3 year warranty, and they have spare parts and accessories on hand versus commi china companies that you will most certainly have the misfortunes of dealing with shortly after you get their lathe or milling machine

So funny, I just spent the last couple of weeks doing exactly the same analysis. I'm a bit of a research kind of guy so I even went so far as to check out the manufactures of all those you went over and found they are pretty much all made by a few companies. However, LMS and Micromark upgrade and do a little extra before they sell them. I ended up purchasing the same deluxe model as you did but got the 7350 with Digital readout. Now I can't wait for it to arrive. Last thing I need to find is metal gears.

3 years later (Dec 2022), we are up 30% price on this lathe! Whee!!

Im going threw the same thing now, 4 years later !! Thats how the alger sent me to you . Did you get something ? Did LMS , combine shiping on Lathe and Mill ? THANK YOU

funny, I've gone through the same procedure as you and have come to the same conclusion. looking at the shipping, it says the rate charged covers up to 700 pounds or so, planning on calling them to see if the lathe can ship along with a mini mill for the same shipping charge, if so I'm pulling the trigger on both. the money I save on shipping will just go to more tooling anyway.

A VERY important feature of the LMS lathe is that it can do ALL the american standard inch threads from 4 TPI to 80 TPI. I have not found any others in this class that can do that. How are you doing on your decision?

In a similar position. Decided to get the 5200 for the direct read out and the included quick change tool post. Arrives on Monday.

Did you pull the trigger and get one? I'm considering the 7x16 deluxe from LMS

Ive been looking mini lathes and have come to a similar conclusion as you. I'm looking at the LMS offerings hoping they are ready to go and have had the quality control in place that the other low budget options dont

Hey Jeff, what did you decide to get? I believe the microlux lathe is a true inch lathe on the cross slide and the LMS is metric with inch readout. Frank goes into that in his video. Looking forward to your update. I’m looking at the PM 1022V lathe.

Jeff did you get the lathe? How is it? Have you made videos for it. I’m in the research part now and could use your insight. Happy new year from Canada 🇨🇦

I am currently on a similar path. I found that the proxxon does offer a set of gears for imperial threads. After having the LMS 5100 for a while and knowing that the proxxon can indeed do imperial. What would you say how you feel about the LMS5100 now having used it a while. What holds me short on the LMS5100 is that I find videos that say out of box it has problems and cleaning up to do. I really like the idea of the german made machine that I don't have to fix before I use it. I am a newbie with no experience I don't want to fix the machine first. I want to learn to machine first.

I love my lms5100

so did you blow off the lathe purchase?

You should or should have looked at the LMS 3750.

I met frank he is great

Jeffrey how is this lathe ??

You can make your own dro

Arm, arm, arm. Enough!

Bring your video up to date. It's full of misinformation.