2 Year Vevor MX 400 Mini Lathe Review - Should you buy a Vevor or any other Benchtop Lathe

2 Year Vevor MX 400 Mini Lathe Review - Should you buy a Vevor or any other Benchtop Lathe
Amateur video work and amateur hobby machinist. Videos of me working on various projects in the workshop and around the home. Work using my Vevor MX400 Mini Lathe and Precision Matthews PM-25MV Benchtop Milling Machine.
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/ @deezworkshop

[@ahenseda]

It is funny that as I am watching this video we are wearing the same exact shirt! Mine is a XX large size. Thanks for the video!

[@deezworkshop]

I love these Carhartt shirts. Same with me. Another funny thing is the intro and actual video were recorded at different times. Same shirt. :-)

[@jamestammy]

Thanks! I appreciate the truth about the pros and cons. It was great to make us consider are we willing to understand that the lathe isn’t perfect and we may/will need to do some work on it so that it functions properly. Keep up the good work.

[@deezworkshop]

Thank you for this feedback. My goal was to provide an honest and truly unbiased viewpoint from my experiences with this machine...from a Newbies perspective. I hope it helps many others.

[@glockasauruswrex6362]

Got my Vevor 7x12 for under $300 last year on Amazon. As a former assembly supervisor for Haas n a lifetime machinist I knew it would be cheaply built. But hey, the thing repeats! Tailstock was .02 above center, but other than that it's worked out fine. I use mine to repair pool cues. It's paid for itself many times over so far...

[@deezworkshop]

Thank for sharing your experience with your Vevor Lathe. I have had fun with this machine.

[@rodgraff1782]

You are spot on with the quality issues. Built with junk barrel parts. I got the MX617 version. Have you found any dead center to match the spindle? Mine says it is a Morse Taper # 4, but it is not. It’s not anything made in the US. Too large for a 4 and too small for a 5. I even tried a 4.5, still too small. I’ve also checked Jarno and Jacob’s tapers. Nothing fits.

[@deezworkshop]

I actually have not yet tried to use the MT5 taper in the spindle. I dont ahve anything that is MT5 to try but it wouldnt surprise me if that taper is off. I use the 3-jaw, 4-jaw and a Collet chuck adapter. So far I havent needed anthing else but now I am curious how the MT5 taper is in this spindle.

[@rodgraff1782]

@@deezworkshop I doubt it is a 5, as I have a larger lathe, and a 5 is larger than the spindle bore. I wanted to remove the chuck, and install a dead center in the spindle, and run an alignment bar from center to center. This is the best way to align the tail stock, because a chuck has run out. I also turn work between centers for repeatability. I was able to do that with my Micro Mark 7x 16. It has a much smaller spindle bore and accepts a #3 Morse taper.

[@onemischiefmaker7032]

I have a VEVOR MX210V about a year old. I'm on my 2nd potentiometer and a lot of time beefing it up. My next lathe will probably be a precision matthews 11x30.

[@deezworkshop]

The components of these lathes are terrible. Doesnt surprise me about the potentiometer. If you wanted my opinion about Precision Matthews I would definitely consider them. I have the Mill and love it. No comparison in quality and support from the reseller. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@aaronkohler648]

Deez, great honest information for the homeshop machinist. I purchased one of these new in a create at used price with known issues. Spent a year straightening out the troubles. Gave the machine to a friend who uses it regularly, but comes to my shop to use my south bend lathe for "fussy" work . This machine will help learn your machinist skills from the repairs needed. I like the upgrades you have done each of those could be there own video. What is your opinion of the PM25 mill? Need help? Hit me up! Now your tooled up....build an engine?

[@deezworkshop]

Very generous of you to fix one of these machines up and give it to a friend. They are great starter and learning machines. I am having a blaast with it but it certainly has its issues. Most of the upgrades I have done all have their own videos if you are interested. As for the PM 25MV Milling machine, there is no comparison in quality and I really enjoy using it. PM customer service, sales, and support are fantastic in my experience. I have been using it for nearly 1 year and getting better with each project. The Mill quality and build is great. I would definitely recommend one to anyone who asks. My 1 yr review of it will be much different from the Vevor Mini Lathe Review. Also very interested in bulding a model engine....hmmm research time. :-) cheers.

[@franciscoflores7911]

This video makes me appreciate my 12" 1938 Atlas/Craftsman lathe even more.

[@garyseverson3094]

I've got news for you, I've cut a Hardinge lathe bed in half and it also has inclusions.

[@deezworkshop]

Interesting. I suppose even the best brands could have inclusions in castings. It probably didn’t have any on the surface though.

[@jeff1176]

Im looking to get into this hobby. Just to make stuff i can use. I was thinking of doing this,(buying a chinese lathe) but is it the same quality for the 12 to 1300 dollars to go bench top or spend 11 or 12 on a a 10in freestanding lathe. I mean i dont know squat about machining or the equipment. Like you im fascinated by the whole process. I have recently retired and just want to putter and tinker.

[@deezworkshop]

Same boat my friend, I would say that any of these lathes that are considered "Cheap Chinese Imports" are all of the same quality, They could be the smallest 500 dollar benchtop model from various manufactures, or the 12-1400 dollar models from the same "Brand" names. What your getting for more money are things like; Bigger motor, Longer Lathe bed, Larger spindle bore, Extra accessories, Metal gears, etc. As for the quality of the individual components that make up any of these lathes they will be the same no matter what you get. Where you will get better Quality...you would need to purchase through one of the trusted name brands. Still chinese made but it is my understanding that the trusted seller will make sure the components that make up their lathe stand up to their standards. I only have experience with Precision Matthews...And their quality is just fine with me. no comparison to Vevor. There are several other name brands who would have good quality as well. Sorry I dont have experience with free standing lathes but the bigger and heavier and more stable machine you get the better turning experience you will have. I too am no expert. Many others that comment out here certainly are. If you have any other questions ill be happy to share my experiences. All my videos are just that from the first video you can see how little I knew about it all. Figured it out along the way. Thanks for watching and good luck.

[@DerekRC]

Would you recommend it for a guy who only uses it a few times a year for hobby rc products?

[@deezworkshop]

If you have the money to spare sure, You could get one of the smaller lathes which may run you around 500 bucks...Plus any tooling you need.. I recommend considering that and the genreal cost of the parts you can purchase. in the long run it may be cheaper to buy the materials you need vs machining them...but if you like the satification of making your own parts...and dont mind the spend. sure, Go for it but heed all the warnings about quality. good luck.

[@DerekRC]

@@deezworkshop much appreciated ty 👍🏻

[@justaguy4788]

Only if you want to tinker with it, are OK with tail stock almost 1/4 lower than spindle centerline, rough castings, gearbox that doesn't change, etc.

[@mike9500]

a names brand is definatly a ton more expensive, but along with that they get much better quality and precision! i have probably spend an extra $500 just to get mine into a more precise machine so it can properly keep and hold tollerances within 1/10,000ths

[@deezworkshop]

If I had to do it all over again, Knowing how much I actually use the lathe I would have saved up and spent the additional money on a better brand...I just didnt know. Regardless I dont regret the purchase, It works and Im having fun and if I didn't just get one like this I likely wouldn't have gotten in to the hobby at all. I was at a time in my life I needed something to occupy my free time and get my mind off work. I wasn't depressed or anything like that just needed "more" if that makes sense.

[@rodgraff1782]

.0001 repeatability is pretty good.. You must have one of the better ones

[@mike9500]

@@rodgraff1782 oh no, i had to get mine done by a marge machinist shop becase it was so out of wach, a surger would have loved to rude it;s rails!

[@aceroadholder2185]

If you want a Chinese mini lathe, look for a used machine. Not likely to have had much use. If you can, look for a machine with the inscribed magic incantation: Made in Taiwan.

[@deezworkshop]

This is pretty good advice, I would agree that if you find a used Chinese mini Lathe it is likely very seldom used. Trust me when I say after the first few uses the machine will be oily and dirty anyway. Completely, Those are magic words indeed. "Made in Taiwan" certainly add to the $$$ though. I know some of the PM Machines are made in Taiwan, the smaller cheaper ones are from China.

[@fasturn-fc2of]

Old US lathes can be the same problems as a import machine. They are tired. I do think you are ready to pull the trigger on a 300 - 500lb machine. Gotta know your requirements? The Pen builder would be fine with your machine. If you want to work more with steel, then a 300 - 500lb machine is what you need Dee. Just make life easyer and more enjoyable 😊 I too wish I had a bigger machine. Buy once, buy right .

[@deezworkshop]

My next machine will be bigger for sure, I will upgrade from this one someday. For now I want to keep using the one I have and get a few more years out of it. I would love something that I can change gears for threading automatically. a DRO would be nice too. :-) Cheers and thanks for watching. I am learning to appreciate that saying more and more. Buy once, Cry once. :-)

[@drummer57]

Run away from it

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

No