Mini Lathe METAL Gear Swap 🤟 - A Worthwhile Upgrade

If you would like your very own VEVOR Mini Lathe, Check out the links below and help support me in the process. Use code VVSALE5 for 5% off. Thank you !
Canada - s.vevor.com/bfQKjT
Gear Set- s.vevor.com/bfQKli
USA - s.vevor.com/bfQLYa
Gear Set - s.vevor.com/bfQNO6 or s.vevor.com/bfQNPm
EU - s.vevor.com/bfQLYV
UK - Not Available - But some tooling available.
Gear Set - s.vevor.com/bfQNPr or s.vevor.com/bfQNPE
AU - s.vevor.com/bfQLZa
MX - Not Available
Gear Set - s.vevor.com/bfQNPN
DE - s.vevor.com/bfQLYg
FR - s.vevor.com/bfQLYw
IT - s.vevor.com/bfQLYD (similar but not the same / better)
ES - Not Available
PL - Not Available
NL - s.vevor.com/bfQLYO ( similar but not the same / better)
If you would like to support me and my projects, I have created a Patreon account. Regardless of the amount, every bit helps, will be put to use and is awesome motivation. Thank you so much !!
My Patreon - / joel_a
The Joel Arseneault KZbin channel where I do mostly jetski stuff that is much more edited. / @joelarseneaultyoutube
My Teespring - spark-bolt-city.creator-sprin...
Actual description: In this video I asked Vevor to send me one of their Mini Lathes (7x14") so I could test it and demonstrated it to you all. I got my first lathe several years ago and although I don't use it every day, I use it several times a year, and is an extremely handy tool to have around the shop.
The plan is to make 3 videos. This one, of the unboxing, general overview and first chips, a second video with a few upgrades, and a third video where I show my friend, Dustin, how to use it before he takes it home.

[@terryhillyer529]

Nice video. Subscribing. Interesting that the Vevor links show a slightly different lathe for Canada as compared to the US. I received the version pictured on the US link which has the emergency stop and tachometer on top, with the speed knob and fuse and direction switch on the front panel. It also came with metal gears, a magnetic LED light, and a box of lathe cutters all for $475 including shipping a few days after Christmas.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Holy crap ! What a deal.... I know that most other countries already have metal gears installed. Also... their shipping is pretty astonishing, isn't it !? Enjoy your new toy... play safe !

[@terryhillyer529]

LTL (Less than Truckload) from the East Coast all the way to the West Coast, on a pallet, for free. Unbelievable. The Amazon price was $499.99 USD but there was a $25 coupon. There was even a $30 coupon for a couple days leading up to Christmas. Today it is still $499.99 but no coupon.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

@@terryhillyer529 Awesome !

[@terryhillyer529]

I found the $30 coupon is back, but YT deleted the link I posted. Click on your US link and then click on Other Sellers and Boboran has the coupon. Boboran is where I bought my VEVOR mini lathe.

[@terryhillyer529]

This is crazy. Now Boboran on US Amazon is showing a $50 coupon for the $499.99 Lathe.

[@Charles-lane277]

I actually wasn't expecting this video to be very good,but once I watched to the end it was actually a lot better than I thought and had me wanting to watch more.

[@MartysRandomStuff]

I've had 2 plastic gears break in my mini lathe, thought about getting the metal set but tried out 3D printing new ones in polycarbonate and they have worked fine for several years. Also printed 2 100 tooth gears to get the feed rate even lower but can only put the cover back on when using one of them. I also drilled out the holes for the selector arm after having the same problem, I just used the detents that were already there to get the position for the holes. Didn't bother with turning the cone into a pin, so far cutting threads even in steel it hasn't popped out again but I'll keep that mod in mind if it ever happens. The next mods that are kind of necessary are carriage locks.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Awesome ! Not only printing new gears up improving it by lowering the ratio. I like it. I tend to go too far with everything I do... I'm glad to hear that just drilling the existing dentets works well. Carriage locks are very nice to have 👍

[@ChrisCrozier]

Did you print in ABS or PLA? would love to get the STL

[@MartysRandomStuff]

@@ChrisCrozier Polycarbonate is what I used, 5 outer walls and 60% infill. I found the STL files online years ago so you should be able to find them by searching for mini lathe change gear stl files. One of the ones I had break a tooth was the high-low gear inside the headstock, I could see a defect in the original plastic around the tooth so that is why it failed.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

@@ChrisCrozier According to his comment, he used polycarbonate... You need to have a bed that can get to 135C and it prints at a much higher temp... I think you need an enclosure. Apparently like printing ABS but even harder.

[@patchvonbraun]

Something that a lot of folks are doing is getting rid of most of the gears on their lathes, and using modern BLDC-based servo motors to drive both the spindle and the cross-slide. Modern controls systems can very precisely control the speed, and BLDC servos can deliver considerable torque over their entire speed range. Overkill for this little lathe perhaps, but for a larger lathe where you might be considering replacing gears (because they're worn or broken), a "nearly gear free" conversion might be something to consider. Certainly, this is how CNC-based lathes and mills work. No gear changes to speak of. Just properly-sized motors and a precision control system...

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Yes, I have often thought of doing something like this on my 10x22 lathe.... I always end up deciding to do something else with my time and money, but it would be great not to have to change belts and gears ! Not sure if you follow Clough42, but he has several videos about his G0602 that is the exact same as my King Canada branded lathe.... he has done a LOT of upgrades on it including building an "electronic leadscrew" I think he sells kits.

[@dang3859]

​@@loweredexpectations4927I did installed this on my lathe, best improvement ever. Sooooo much easier for threading.

[@alessandroandrenacci2372]

Minute 2:13 - i also have such a variable square, i suggest you a fixed square for 90 degrees, they sold it with a sort of extended side, so to fix exactly and quickly the 90 degrees position, after having oriented the compound in any other position. I also built myself special squares for MK2 and MK3 tapers, the most common tapers used in our chinese lathe. That squares i suppose would cost a big amount of money, mine are built with two point screws at a fixed distance one from the other, fixed in a similar square i told you before ; they are protruding just a bit one from the other, to realize, with the previous distance, a taper 2 ... similar for taper 3 ... That squares are fixed, i use one of them to adjust compound to proper angle so to cut the wanted taper ... Of course exact protruding of the two screws is essential, and also their distance. In any case you can adjust minor errors with a file to adjust one of the screw to the exact value ...

[@wasillastacker]

I am an equipment mechanic and I believe everything needs Grease so good job sir! Waiting for mine to show up here in Alaska supposed to be here Tuesday. Can't wait to work on it. Thank you for all the cool info.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Haha... yes, everything works better with grease. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[@wallacefrey6247]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you as well Wallace ! Thanks !

[@keithbaker8212]

Oh yes grease great job

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Gotta use that grease !

[@ronaldsantos7078]

Hi, Like you video..can you put through longer pieces of metal in the spindle?

[@loweredexpectations4927]

The spindle bore is 21mm (0.83 inches) so if your material is that size or smaller, then yes.

[@jozefa1234]

sounds like mine 45 year old lathe build in Taiwan. try different grease but still running loud on 300 plus rpm

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Yes, gears are typically loud on lathes.

[@galkawarrior]

Thank you for sharing! What if you greased the gears, would they be quieter? 😅

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Some have done this and it will quite them down a little, if you use really thick grease... but it also makes a huge mess.

[@keithbaker8212]

I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do and you know metal gears are louder but maybe it’s better, and you have a good attitude for the camera or personality lol

[@loweredexpectations4927]

If you are running plastic gears and never have a problem.... why bother changing them. However, the option is there. Some people are more careless or demand more (too much) from their little lathe. For these people, metal gears may be necessary. " and you have a good attitude for the camera or personality" Thanks ! Making videos / talking to a camera doesn't come easily for me, so that's good to hear.

[@dustinwild]

Is there any use of putting any kind of light grease, or heavy oil on the gears? Or will they just get dirty with debris? Looked pretty simple! ;) Great video man. Merry Christmas!

[@loweredexpectations4927]

I suspect putting a very light coating of oil would be okay, but it's always going to be a big mess. Other than possibly quieting it down a little (maybe) the oil or grease isn't going to matter much on the teeth. These gears would last a hundred years without ever wearing out. It was super easy. Merry Christmas to you as well !

[@lanceulbrich6249]

Sweet i always wanted to get one of those to mess with dont know why.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Oh boy are you in luck.... They make em every day, by the thousands in China ! You should do a CNC conversion on one, haha. For real tho. I already have a small lathe 10x22... but if I couldn't justify the larger one, I would have to have one of these.

[@lanceulbrich6249]

@@loweredexpectations4927 would be fun for enough on my plate already. Actually have stuff to CNC the lathe I have just havnt felt like it.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

@@lanceulbrich6249 Sounds like a fun project.

[@colinhamer6506]

I wish you and your family a Christmas so amazing it washes away all the negative things.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Thanks Colin ! I appreciate that. Take care and have a very Merry Christmas, as well !

[@colinhamer6506]

@@loweredexpectations4927after my first I have keep this saying in mind happy wife happy life

[@wasillastacker]

Would a little bit of grease on the gear teeth help that harsh metal sound? Or would that be a mistake?

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Some people do this. I have tried it a few times on my other lathe, and didn't find it made much difference. It tends to attract dirt and swarf, so I don't' do it now... I just put it on the bearing surfaces.

[@tonyestvik7969]

Ok, Jole, Im not run a lathe since high school, -a bigger one, like a industry one....so powerful... Now, if i were thinking of being to look around, were are so many options....Im looking for a smaller one because lack of space, but dont ran out of range...?! My target are to build a car chassi and body from scratch, and buy gearbox and engine at first, but later maybe try to rebuild and if- big IF, maybe build my own engine parts.... Just too get how im thinking, and there comes it to size, does it matter.... Please Obi- One Canobi, your my only hope......🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔😉😉😉😉😉😉 Happy Holidays!

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Haha... Obi-one ... I think you want a lathe that is bigger than anything Vevor sells. I have a 10x22 lathe, and I think that this would suit your needs. When it comes to a lathe of this size, there are literally hundreds of options both new and used. You can spend anywhere for a few $1500 to $20,000 (maybe more) A lathe line my 10x22 is about $2500 new. It works well, but has belts to change the speed of the spindle, and manual gear changes are required to thread at different pitches (removing and installing gears) On higher end laths, you will find the ability to change spindle speed with a lever, and the ability to cut different threads using change levers instead of removing and installing different gears. My lathe also only has power feed on the apron, and it only operates in one direction relative to the spindle direction. More expensive lathes may not only have two directions, relative to the spindle, but also power cross slide. Also, a huge consideration is tooling for your lathe. You can purchase a $800 lathe and spend $20,000 on tooling if you go nuts. The lathe may end up being a small part of the cost of owning a lathe. A basic 10x22 lathe like mine will work. Set up takes longer in some cases, and you may have to make some compromises... but it works. Hope this helps.

[@tonyestvik7969]

@@loweredexpectations4927 thax Obi- One....😜🤔😉

[@RicardoMartinez-fw3il]

Can you make standard threads on this lathe?

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Yes... metric and SAE

[@user-qx4lv6hx7n]

Dónde se consiguen los engranes de acero,yo compré ese mismo torno y quisiera reemplazar los de plástico y ponerle de acero

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Oui, j'ai installé un ensemble d'engrenages pour chevaux, dans une autre vidéo.

[@allt-under-solen]

It sounds it is to little mesh between gears and gears will not last long. God Jul (Merry Christmas) from Sverige (Sweden) :)

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Thanks for the comment ! Merry Christmas to you as well. I believe the sound of the gear mesh is partly due to how the camera picks up sound, but also because of the lack of precision in the gears. They work really well, but if I run them any tighter, they start to bind in certain spots.

[@tilly8297]

My expectations are lower than whale turds... That being said, I wish you a Merry Christmas... May your Graje ever be a safe place for us all to gather, learn, and experiment... I'll try not to learn anything tho... or help you out... at all while I'm here... Also, I hope it isn't too creepy but I (and a bunch of other weirdos) are just gonna sit here and stare at you... And some of us are probably gonna potty while visiting. So... Now that you are thoroughly creeped out... I hope you have a fantastic New Year as well. 👍👍 (Oh yeah, "safety third")

[@loweredexpectations4927]

LOL.... great comment ! Thanks for sharing... from the potty. Have a wonderful Christmas season, as well... Take care !

[@tilly8297]

@@loweredexpectations4927 no no no no NOOOOOO!!!!! I never said that "I" was typing with a strong echo. Lol. 🍻 Cheers

[@loweredexpectations4927]

@@tilly8297 🤣

[@Trevorkloida]

Spent a lot of time looking for jetski content

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Did you see anything ? Even a glimpse ?

[@Trevorkloida]

Just the 1100 and carbs in the beginning

[@loweredexpectations4927]

@@Trevorkloida I don't know what the movie "Train Spotting" is about.... but we need to make a movie about you called "Ski Spotting" .... a satirical film about someone who is a JetSki junkie and literally goes through withdrawal with the shakes and stuff, haha...

[@Trevorkloida]

Today I pulled the cover off a ski just to look at it

[@loweredexpectations4927]

@@Trevorkloida I was just looking out my back window looking at the skis on my trailer... realizing how lucky I am to be where I am... I love me some jet skis ! haha.

[@ardennielsen3761]

someone tried selling me one of those for a dollar, if i really needed to machine something... it would have already been done, a long time ago because high alloy things never brake. unlike the 1/4hp motor in the??? cant hardly cut anything past 150'000psi tensile, that's what most made in usa things are as a minimum standard.

[@loweredexpectations4927]

I can barely understand what you are saying... but you obviously don't like these lathes. There are hundreds of thousands of people who disagree with you and are perfectly happy with their mini lathes.... Perhaps this is because not everyone has the same expectations. This lathe can be carried by one person, stored on a shelf, cost less than a thousand dollars and has a ton of information and support on forums, blogs and videos. I personally have no need for one because I have a Chinese 10x22 lathe that suits my needs, but I can see why people do want these.

[@gza06955]

Absolute garbage drive belt on these typically with mismatched pulleys. Had to buy a replacement lower pulley and was able to locate rubber belts instead of that junk belt that it comes with. When you hear a knocking noise and you think its the motor its probably just teeth missing from the belt. You'll eventually find a pile of them under the machine lol. Also the control board is a piece of junk and I'm told it is non standard, (not a direct swap with other generic mini lathe machines). Luckily the seller I got the machine from on ebay was able to get me a replacement. I assume they probably just contacted Vevor on my behalf and they were able to get a new one. After those mods and a couple other small things it's been able to pay for itself which is pretty cool. Someday I will upgrade, I've been eyeing those Precision Matthews 1340GT's... I do have one of their benchtop mills I picked up used on marketplace and other than a meltdown at the wiring junction box due to serious corrosion it's been great. The company was super easy to work with and send me the junction box and capacitors I needed to get her back to throwing chips. Stay safe!!

[@loweredexpectations4927]

Wow... sounds like you got a bad one. I have had this one completely apart twice and used it a fair bit and haven't had any of those issues. The pulley was lose on the shaft and I used some loctite to stop it from making noise... I had to align and tension the belt as it was rubbing where it should have been. I have no idea about the PCB, but quite frequently these chinese boards are cross compatible with many others, even when the don't look the same and the part numbers don't match. Oh wow ! Precision Matthews 1340GT's... That's a sweet lathe ! and HUGE compared to anything Vevor sells. Full gear box, power cross slide ... luxurious ! I recently got a PM30MV and I am converting it to CNC. Thanks for the comment !