Links and resources
This page lists sources of information that I have found useful and inspiring.
Books
1. My bible when I first bought the lathe was "The Amateurs Lathe" by L. H. Sparey. This is an old book but it covers almost every aspect of lathe work including such things as metal spinning and spring winding. I thoroughly recommend this book to any newcomer to machining.
2. Another old book that was very useful when I started out was the "Amateurs Workshop" by Ian Bradley. This covers most aspects of workshop practice.
3. A more modern book "The Compact Lathe" by Stan Bray is quite useful but more superficial than the previous two.
4. The book " Milling" by Stan Bray taught me the basics of milling.
5. There are many useful books included in the "Workshop Practice Series " published by MyHobbyStore. Of particular note are "Screwcutting" by Martin Cleeve and "Gears and Gear Cutting" by Ivan Law. These are both authoritive and well written. More recently David Fenner has written two books in the Workshop Practice Series devoted to the minilathe.
6. The book "The Mini-Lathe" by Neil Wyatt published by Crowood Press in 2016 is probably the best introduction to the mini-lathe. As well as covering all aspects of the lathe and its operation Neil also covers milling, modifications and some simple projects
2. Another old book that was very useful when I started out was the "Amateurs Workshop" by Ian Bradley. This covers most aspects of workshop practice.
3. A more modern book "The Compact Lathe" by Stan Bray is quite useful but more superficial than the previous two.
4. The book " Milling" by Stan Bray taught me the basics of milling.
5. There are many useful books included in the "Workshop Practice Series " published by MyHobbyStore. Of particular note are "Screwcutting" by Martin Cleeve and "Gears and Gear Cutting" by Ivan Law. These are both authoritive and well written. More recently David Fenner has written two books in the Workshop Practice Series devoted to the minilathe.
6. The book "The Mini-Lathe" by Neil Wyatt published by Crowood Press in 2016 is probably the best introduction to the mini-lathe. As well as covering all aspects of the lathe and its operation Neil also covers milling, modifications and some simple projects
Internet sources
There are many websites on the internet dealing with lathe work and milling and I will only mention those that I have used frequently.
1. Frank Hoose's site contains a great deal of information and links to other sites relating to the Asian minilathe. He also covers the mini mill. Highly recommended for all new owners of minilathes.
2. John Moran's Gadgetbuilder website is a great resource. John has modified his lathe extensively and built many useful tools. The style is very easy to read. Many of the modifications I have carried out were inspired by this website.
3. The Littlemachineshop site is a site for a company that sell minilathes and mini mill spares and accessories. However, There is much useful information and data on the site.
4. Jose's ToolsandMods site features a number of very well made and beatifuly finished modifications and tools as well as a host of data and links about lathes in general and minilathes in particular.
5. Ishimuras site also has a selection of very well made tools.
6. "Steves Toolworks" is an interesting site. Many simple and clever mods and tools constructed from scrap materials. Unfortunately there has not been much activity on the site for the last year or so.
7. Marcus's site, currently being reconstructed, has many interesting tools, often made using the lost foam casting process. This site inspired me to try the lost foam process.
8. Steve Bedairs site relates to the 9 x 20 lathe but has many modifciations that can be adapted to the minilathe.
9. Andysmachines relates to the Warco WM 180 lathe. This is similar to the minilathe in many respects. Andy shows some very nice modifications and tooling for his lathe.
10. John Waterhouses site mainly relates to a WM250 lathe but has some very good machine projects.
11. Jim Vargiu's metal scraping site is a good introduction to metal scraping and much of the work he presents relates directly to the mini-lathe.
12. Al Budden's site has many interesting modifications to the minilathe and also to the SX3 milling machine. The site contains some wonderful 3D models of some projects.
13. Alan Wood has an impressive workshop and his website is full of interesting ideas.
1. Frank Hoose's site contains a great deal of information and links to other sites relating to the Asian minilathe. He also covers the mini mill. Highly recommended for all new owners of minilathes.
2. John Moran's Gadgetbuilder website is a great resource. John has modified his lathe extensively and built many useful tools. The style is very easy to read. Many of the modifications I have carried out were inspired by this website.
3. The Littlemachineshop site is a site for a company that sell minilathes and mini mill spares and accessories. However, There is much useful information and data on the site.
4. Jose's ToolsandMods site features a number of very well made and beatifuly finished modifications and tools as well as a host of data and links about lathes in general and minilathes in particular.
5. Ishimuras site also has a selection of very well made tools.
6. "Steves Toolworks" is an interesting site. Many simple and clever mods and tools constructed from scrap materials. Unfortunately there has not been much activity on the site for the last year or so.
7. Marcus's site, currently being reconstructed, has many interesting tools, often made using the lost foam casting process. This site inspired me to try the lost foam process.
8. Steve Bedairs site relates to the 9 x 20 lathe but has many modifciations that can be adapted to the minilathe.
9. Andysmachines relates to the Warco WM 180 lathe. This is similar to the minilathe in many respects. Andy shows some very nice modifications and tooling for his lathe.
10. John Waterhouses site mainly relates to a WM250 lathe but has some very good machine projects.
11. Jim Vargiu's metal scraping site is a good introduction to metal scraping and much of the work he presents relates directly to the mini-lathe.
12. Al Budden's site has many interesting modifications to the minilathe and also to the SX3 milling machine. The site contains some wonderful 3D models of some projects.
13. Alan Wood has an impressive workshop and his website is full of interesting ideas.
Groups.
1. https://groups.io/g/7x12MiniLathe. This minilathe group is very active and is well moderated to keep the subject matter on topic. Highly recommended.
2. https://groups.io/g/4x6bandsaw/ This group is specific to the 4x6 bandsaw. Not so active but often very interesting.
3. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/castinghobby/. An active group that is specific to metal casting.
4. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/X_Series_Mills/. Not very active but some useful discussion on the X series mills and milling in general.
5. http://madmodder.net/. A very interesting group with a strong hands on approach to machining.
6. http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/index.php
2. https://groups.io/g/4x6bandsaw/ This group is specific to the 4x6 bandsaw. Not so active but often very interesting.
3. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/castinghobby/. An active group that is specific to metal casting.
4. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/X_Series_Mills/. Not very active but some useful discussion on the X series mills and milling in general.
5. http://madmodder.net/. A very interesting group with a strong hands on approach to machining.
6. http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/index.php
Magazines.
Model Engineers Workshop is a monthly publication that features many interesting articles. It also has a related website http://www.model-engineer.co.uk.
YouTube.
Matt Waite's channel is especially interesting. This is relatively new (2018) and Matt is still adding material. His videos are very professional.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvpLFahgX5jh1S1zsAmkspw
