[review] DC 24V Mini Lathe Beads Machine Woodwork DIY Lathe

[@jazzman1626]

Polishing something on a lathe is sooo cool! Watching it transform right in front of your eyes.

[@veronicaaaron3389]

I just bought it as well thank you so much I was panicking because I couldn't find any reviews 😘 SUBSCRIBED

[@veronicaaaron3389]

Update: mine is not what was advertised and it's not looking good I'm gonna have to send it back😱😓

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

I just ordered one yesterday on clearance $58.00 US with shipping I guess I got me a wee bit of a deal... My son and I make wooden jewelry I'm going to make our own beads out of hard woods... Thank for making this how to use video... You sure did a good job... be blessed... BBE..

[@vivcastle6372]

Thank you so much for your entertaining video. I have just bought a mini lathe, but mine didn't even come with an instruction leaflet. After watching your honest review, and chuckling at my attempt, I now know where the the variable speed is, as well as what to do with that plate guard, and how not to use the chisel! Which on my first attempt almost flew out of my hand.wg am now going to follow your attempt. Wish me luck.x

[@paulnelson3999]

Just received mine to day, can’t wait to use it! Paid $36.00 US and free shipping from EBay

[@barbaraness4507]

I’m really looking forward to using my lathe after watching your video!

[@pauls5745]

oh it came with a center drill even! probably already said, but that's a stubby drill for starting holes. it creates a pilot hole and bevel so the twist drill bit wont wander. i see these in 100W variety for $40 US and couple supposedly more powerful motors, along with a lot more accessories

[@mickthewheelchairwoodworke8763]

I just brought one today to do a bit of tinkering at home awesome thanks for the review

[@MrEh5]

Interesting that it uses a center drill press into a bearing as a tailstock center. The Allen screws could be replaced with thumb screws so you don't have to use the Allen key all time. CHEERS

[@sweettooth5737]

Thank you for such a thorough review!! After watching your video I was able to compare others and see pitfalls with them. Finally decided on this one. Thanks again! 😊👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@mikewalters4994]

Good review!! It's been a big help to me. I'm gonna start making fishing lures out of balsa wood. I think that's all the lathe I need. Thanks

[@dwightstewart7181]

The "6mm plum blossom thimble bit" headstock can be purchased on eBay. There are two common versions, an 8mm for smaller work pieces and a 14mm for larger. Both have a 6mm shaft to fit into the drill chuck of these mini lathes. Sadly, they're all sold in China, so plan on long shipping times.

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

I made my own with old bench grinder works a treat for my ring turning.

[@whitelfner4582]

How did you mount a chuck to it?

[@robertreid7221]

Looks ideal fo turning fishing float bodies set on a dowel wth balsa wood and polystyrene foam, using sand paper. As a float maker, I intend to buy one !

[@TSLYNX]

I just ordered one of these to make tiny model navigation buoys. I have been experimenting with a pillar drill and various hand drills, but none are accurate as the results I'm seeing with what you've tested here.. Thank you!

[@jaimearielarmijoloyola5512]

You got it yet? How's it going?

[@susanduryea5070]

I just purchased a similar model and can’t wait to try it out. I’ll try make a video to share. Thanks for your advice.

[@petervancise7521]

How does yours work?

[@paulwebsterantiques8321]

Love mine to bits, a wonderful little piece of kit but super fun to work with.

[@VioletStilettos]

Thank you so much for posting this, this is very similar to the one I am looking at and as I have never used a lathe before this has actually been really helpful! I will be using it for smaller items so I think this will be prefect, thank you!

[@barbaraness4507]

I have bought one of these to use to make dollhouse furniture.

[@AbitLippy]

​@@barbaraness4507does it work ok?

[@dwightstewart7181]

You can get an extra inch or two of maternal length by turning the tailstock around and letting it hang off the end of the base. However, do note the screws may reduce the maximum diameter of your work-piece in this configuration.

[@TheFiown]

Thanks, I bought one of these ( actually double clicked and two came!! ) and had difficulty keeping the piece tight as it kept coming loose and stalling. I admit to not having persisted yet but will try again. I didn't do like you and Hammer in the head piece before attaching it to the lathe, in too much of a rush.

[@jesterger]

I have one on order. I am going to use it hopefully, to make wheels for restoring Matchbox Toy cars from ABS plastic. T will also use it for polishing and wire brushing.

[@michelle_mitch_p]

Got mine yesterday can’t wait to get started so looking for inspiration

[@mickberesford9659]

Thanks for the review, I'm looking at turning smaller items and this looks just the job. I didn't want to spend too much and the hounest

[@zarrir]

Best review ever on this lathe

[@propfella]

One of the biggest problems with this unit is the Motor. It's brushed and uses bushes (No Bearings) Obviously, dependent on amount of use, it will show marked slop (Bushing Wear) and the brushes will wear. The good news is that replacement motors are as cheap as chips. Plus, there is a better quality motor available, but it appears to be missing from BangGood's inventory. It may be available elsewhere though. By the way, it took me 5 months of constant complaints to BangGood regarding those head stock parts. Finally they made the type you used available, just be careful of overusing brute force to insert it, depending on type your wood may split. Also avoid using too much pressure with the chisel, it will wear those bushes out very quickly.

[@jesterger]

Take the time to find the center of the piece, on both ends. Then drill with your center drill bit. On the drive end of your piece, cut an X with a saw and hammer in the drive piece. Put the piece in the chuck and snug up your tail stock. That should give a positive drive for the piece and prevent it from flying out at your face. That would probably leave a mark if it did.

[@themoreiwantyou]

Very helpful, I've just seen these on Ebay and wondered what they were like, so thanks for going to the time to make the video!!

[@arva1kes]

you can flip endstop around to get few cm of length

[@sparselepidopteran]

I'm a violin luthier and make pegs all the time. Get yourself a peg shaver and reamer, it will make this a lot easier!

[@Chilcutte]

Google translate app may help with instructions. It helps to limit the amount of text in an image so like a tip. Helps a lot.

[@fx1c333]

The tail stock you need to make your self a live center so it keeps the wood in place and not make a hole as yours will do if you over tighten. To get more length turn the tail stock around

[@propfella]

Turn the tool rest around 180 degrees. You have it on backwards. It was on the correct way when it arrived, but you turned it around. The correct way you can get the rest right up to your work. You can buy lengths of that angle aluminium from most hardware stores. Cut it too whichever length you want.. Visit Banggood,com they are selling these off at about $50 AUD. Complete.

[@anneharrison1849]

I ordered one of these before watching this video, but having seen another. I couldn't identify any difference between the options, so I don't know what headstock mine will come with, hopefully I can buy something different individually if it isn't sufficient. I'm basically buying it to figure out if I want to spend more on a better lathe.

[@barbaraness4507]

I bought the one also, but I hope to use it for making miniature dollhouse furniture.

[@AbitLippy]

Does it work ok?

[@barbaraness4507]

@@AbitLippy I haven’t really made anything with it so far because I had to finish some other projects first, but the videos I’ve seen, and people I’ve talked to were happy with theirs.

[@hamidahmed8076]

Interesting, thanks for a brilliant review 👍

[@Twobeers1]

I bought the almost exact same item. It arrived with some of the plexiglass parts broken & the box looked like it had been tossed around quite a bit. The most interesting thing I noticed is the piece that you insert into the chuck, mine as all the spikes the exact same height as the centre pin, which makes centering the work piece very difficult. This lathe does not work very well will hard maple.

[@lazyoldmanathome7699]

The later model has all metal housings.

[@eochaid286]

The reason for it loosening is that you are using the centre drill on the tail stock. Instead of spinning and remaining at a fixed level it is drilling into the wood. Remember it is a drill.

[@lazyoldmanathome7699]

The later model uses a rotating 'thimble'

[@FishmanEricRussell]

It's so cute! I think it is the smallest lathe I've seen. Seems to work ok though

[@A.Dotin4K]

That’s awesome can you extend the bed to make it longer?

[@cecilius]

Just purchased one myself. The day after I went to an industrial aluminum store and bought a 30x60 profile 70 cm. long. Just unscrewed the original and replaced it with the new one worked perfectly!!! Just be sure to get some T-Slotted Framing Fasteners and washers to fasten everything (new profile has the same measurements but the rails are deeper, so the included nuts won't work)

[@samlabo1688]

It's marketed as a bead making or hobby lathe for Tiny parts I can buy it in Manila for the equivalent of 31$ Our version has five tiny cutting tools and a few useless sheets of sand paper

[@WinSchutten]

Would you think you could use this lathe to make chess pieces? They should be 1 3/4 Inch in diameter (44,45 mm).

[@davidferguson8478]

Hi I wouldn't use that adapter because there are plenty of videos on KZbin saying they are not safe

[@spuddowling3972]

Hi mate yes I just bought one of these, hasn't arrived yet . I bought one pretty much the reasoning you stated expense etc. My intention is to make chess pieces, I understand that because of the height of the chuck from the bed this will limit the overall diameter. I'm contemplating putting a spacer on each end to raise the work area. whats your thoughts?. Cheers from Yeppoon.

[@kgracjan]

Bit late of a comment but i'm just wondering if you ever got to making those chess pieces

[@philochristos]

I'm thinking about getting one of these (or one like it). I wish they had more attachments, though. I'd like to at least find a bowl attachment or something that you can clamp with.

[@whitelfner4582]

You might find an old metal 3" sanding disc. I've only seen plastic for many years now, or use a hole saw and cut/grind the hole part off, a long afternoon with a hacksaw would give you something to mount in the drill chuck.

[@mrunmoyable]

Thank you for this review!!

[@Jayboy72]

Just got one.. I got a cone shaped tail stock though so i can see that wont do.. Yet to use it. Thanks for the review! Have you seized it yet? lol What do you think of it 2 years later?

[@rabbitsfun8399]

Wow, that's amazing tool!

[@kairus1]

do u think i can use this to lathe hard polymer clay cured. ?? I'm making a 1/12 scale fire hydrant and its really hard to make the top of the hydrant . needs latheing

[@geordiejoe]

How is the lathe lasting? Have you used it much and how is the brass bushing?

[@ParabellumArt]

So far so good, but I haven't used it much since this video.

[@mozzy747]

Purchased the same item for AUS $57.00 came with a pack of cutting tools

[@Tezcax]

Yes, it's super cheap now I will buy one to make beads.

[@mac10man]

How big is the working area? Is it. Around 6 inches? Like 15 cm.

[@r13lethalwiresph46]

Just want to ask sir is the lathe drill has a reserve circulation or just one way?

[@Boomer-ri7du]

What is the inside diameter of the live chuck holder? I get the chuck attached to the motor will go u to 7MM

[@stevehirschhorn9211]

Really useful, thanks a lot. I just bought one similar but it has the silly little screw type headstock which is worse than useless! Now I know what I need. I also bought this to make tuning pegs, interestingly but now I have to wait while I get a decent headstock. It also came with 3 little silver rods of slightly different diameters, and I have zero idea what they're for - do you? As an addition: does any know where I can find 6mm headstock / head spur? I can't seem to locate them at all.

[@wizardwonky]

Did you ever find out where to get a proper headstock (or is it a forstner bit)?. And did you find out what the 3 hex shaped rods are for?

[@anthonyford411]

I don't think anyone knows what those little hex rods are for!

[@rlriii6106]

Could you turn a duck call on this lathe if you got the right mandrel and chuck

[@walterhynson2898]

either you are great on a lathe and can turn with a pen knife(like me)which I tend to believe or you honestly do no know and what really gave you away is the way you held the chisel the first time you turned it on.

[@propfella]

Sorry, I forgot to mention, I purchased two of these units when they were selling for only $35 AUD. I used part of the second tool rest to connect the two beds together. Plus I bolted the complete unit to an old bench top and now have more than double the length. Avoid those nasty chisel packs they sell with some of the models, they really are garbage. I purchased a better quality mini chisel kit from TimberBits.(Aussie Company)

[@Chris-nl8lo]

Alreet mate is it still going strong? I'm think of getting one to make rings on it. I'd have to come with some way of holding wood without using that tail bit

[@bonytone]

How did you get on with this mate ?

[@LegitLeeVelez]

Could you use it to cut aluminum down like you did on the wood you were cutting?

[@antutna]

I like the homemade!

[@Leo-oj9ng]

Would you be able to make a pen with this? Been wanting to make one, but i don't know anything about lathes

[@ronniepaulinc]

you should stablize those blanks in resin...

[@alanlangman6598]

could you give me more info, about where you saw this, all the ones I've seen don't ship to Aust.

[@parabellum_arms]

I couldn't find the exact same model but a different seller sells a very similar one. The critical part is the headstock - you want to buy one with a solid four-pronged piece that you can can hammer into the wood like I showed. This one has it: www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-DC-24V-Mini-Lathe-Beads-Machine-Polisher-Woodwork-Wood-DIY-Lathe-Standard-Set-/201664513418?epid=1483798487&hash=item2ef424458a:g:JzEAAOSw9IpX0Z~M

[@MrDirtysteve75]

Ebay, Amazon, be good all sell then

[@dudhatarvindbhai7463]

Aa mchin ketla nu aave?

[@gmaxwell8307]

Hello! Thank you very much for the informative video. Could I please ask you a question ? Is the live centre that is attached to the Tail-stock end removable ? Can we take it off and attach something else if required ? Thanks!

[@parabellum_arms]

Not really. It is actually a dead centre held by two bearings. If you loosen the bolt that holds in all in place, the bearings and dead centre just fall apart.

[@MR_R.o.b.o.t.o]

Get a clear protective plate that's big and strong enough that you look through

[@parabellum_arms]

Safety glasses.

[@pijnto]

Great review now I can strike it off my list

[@benwalsh9257]

The chuck says a maximum opening size of 6mm....have you found this to be true? I want to get one to turn smalls pens and il need the chuck to take a 7mm diameter steel rod.

[@ParabellumArt]

I tried fitting a 7mm drill bit into it, and it fits with even a tiny amount of play. I'm not sure if you plan on turning steel but I wouldn't recommend turning any sort of metal with it.

[@aceleyd]

Can this handle acrylic blanks?

[@everyday80sdude86]

What is the biggest diameter that can be turned on this lathe? How much free space from chuck center to top of bed? Thank you

[@addywaddy39]

everyday'80sdude 50 mm ish slightly bigger

[@kyfisher3662]

how would it go for making handles for files, chisels and other tools?

[@ParabellumArt]

I think it would do fine. The largest piece I've turned was 25mm x 200mm. I don't have many handles that are much larger than that. I've mainly been turning jarrah which is quite hard, as a handle would be and it had no issues.

[@simpliciobobadilla8117]

Do you know if this can go in reverse too? I mean, going forward, and then with a switch change the rotation to the other side? Thanks in advance.

[@sajidrafique375]

It is probably wired up for ccw only but you can put a double pole double throw switch to change its direction.

[@eochaid286]

Centre drill or slocombe bit.

[@Grizznitch]

can you turn pens with it?

[@bobsmith5387]

Grizznitch Designs I’m wondering the same if so I’m going to order one.

[@synapticdragon2157]

You managed to stop the spin a few times in the start.. does this have enough HP to help sand/polish metal rings?

[@parabellum_arms]

That was because I didn't anchor the headstock into the wood properly. However, it does stop pretty easily when sanding large things that generate a lot of friction, say a 40x40mm block of wood. For anything small, it's not likely to stop.

[@synapticdragon2157]

Ah good... Can it fit something like this? I'm assuming the connecting bit is a standard size across drills? www.banggood.com/1_8-56mm-Mini-Metal-4-Jaw-Lathe-Chuck-Lathe-Accessory-p-1125417.html?rmmds=detail-left-hotproducts__4&cur_warehouse=CN

[@Chris-nl8lo]

Do you think it would be good for use on brass of copper?

[@parabellum_arms]

The chuck only opens up to 7mm. Aside from that, I think it would be dangerous to use such a cheap lathe for metal.

[@stuartbetts7847]

Im considering buying on of these however for my application I will not need the tailstock. Is the chuck stable enough by itself? Is there any sideways movement in it? Thanks for the review.

[@ParabellumArt]

I was surprised to find no movement at all in the chuck. However some users have mentioned that the rear bearing is prone to wearing out. I haven't experienced this (yet) but I haven't been using it much either.

[@stuartbetts7847]

Oh okay, what do you refer to when you say the rear bearing? Thanks for the help.

[@geordiejoe]

It refers to the rear bearing on the actual motor, apparently they are just brass bushes instead of proper ball bearings. See the comment by Kma Jack at the bottom.

[@stuartbetts7847]

Hi, are you able to tell me the vertical distance from the center of the chuck, the the bed of the lathe? I have something with a 6cm diameter and I'm unsure if there will be enough clearance. I need the clearance to be at least 3cm. Thanks!

[@propfella]

The height doesn't matter, simply undo the head and tail and shim them up to where you want them. You may have to use longer bolts, but it's not a costly exercise. I purchased an extra kit so I can extend the bed, it also gives me a spare motor and other bits and pieces. Mine cost $45 per kit, similar to this one, but I didn't get that head stock center. I also purchased the adjustable tail stock, great for drilling centers. I just wish I knew where to get that head stock fitting, that screw in piece is rubbish like he said. What I do with mine is round off pen blanks on my large wood lathe, then finish them on the mini lathe, it's far easier to handle and a lot quieter.

[@ParabellumArt]

You'll be fine. The distance from the chuck centre to the lathe bed is 36mm. Plus as Propfella says, it's not hard to raise the height of the head and tail stock but you won't need to for those blanks.

[@propfella]

Lengthening the bolts and using extra nuts under both the motor mount and tail stock will make the unit much easier to use. It's all very well to say you have 3.mm each side, but it's not much room to play with especially if your stock isn't exactly the 6cm you need. The first pen blank I fitted had a slight warp in it and it made things extremely tight. If I didn't have a full sized lathe I'd definitely extend everything. I found the pen blanks I purchased were just 7mm too long after extending everything as far as I could. Now I have another unit coming I'll extend the bed 2 fold and more. Actually the biggest problem we'll find with these is the motor. It doesn't use bearings, just bushes, that means it's going to wear out very quickly. I'm already looking for a better motor and will probably make it belt drive. I would have been better off buying a proper mini lathe and not the Chinese poor boy approach.

[@ParabellumArt]

Good point. I also forgot that the tool rest bolt might even interfere with a large diameter blank.

[@propfella]

I knew there was another reason for wanting to raise it. That rest has to be the worse part about the setup apart from the motor itself. I've just purchased another spare motor with chuck and key included, just $18 on Wish.com. Grab them now, it looks as if they're selling all that line out. Some sellers are asking over $200 for the kit and yet they're available for $47.99 complete. It also looks as if they're sold out of the only piece I need, that damned tail stock center with the 6 teeth. Try holding anything on the lathe without it. If anyone has a couple of them I'll happily pay $20 for them.

[@MatthewSherriff85]

Or just the diameter of the shaft coming out the back of the motor?

[@MatthewSherriff85]

Hey man i am looking at getting one of these i''ve been trying to find out what kind of motor but no one knows could you please tell me the length and diameter of the motor inside that plastic housing just so i can get a rough idea?

[@koukouroukoukoukoukourouko5514]

I want buy one but i want know if i can make rings or its very small for rings

[@gamemaster2792]

I have got this same as you, i don't know it and no one is going to tell us that

[@kaplanphoto]

i just got this in (12/28/18) to try and make rings from wood veneer samples. I got it for ONLY for this.

[@diagain]

@@kaplanphoto keep us all posted! :)

[@dannymadison6335]

I just bought one the other day to make wood and resin rings (and I'll eventually see how it does with spinning metal). They're made for bead making so it should be much the same for rings.

[@relykofwar4039]

How hard is that wood though?

[@maninthemirror8746]

can this machine do resin?

[@bonytone]

Did you find out mate ?

[@samlabo1688]

Resin is easy compared to a chunk of mahogany It's best to have sharp tools and this dude don't

[@danielparker6102]

Probably can get an extension plate.

[@timjohnson2559]

Do you think I could use something like this to make wooden beads with a hole in the center?

[@timjohnson2559]

Beads anywhere from 6mm to 16mm. How would that work?

[@fishtank5050]

Tim Johnson on eBay this is called a mini lathe beads machine...

[@victormanuelduartedasilva2799]

Onde adquirir este produto e qual o preço em euros assim como o valor do transporte?

[@poppypalais3108]

Use a proper wood turning chisel, or at least a much narrower one than you're using in the video to round it, and it will be much easier and less strain on the motor.

[@TankTurk]

I bought one of these little lathes, not bad at all. I've turned a few pens with it without any problems at all but now want to change the chuck to do other things. Do you know how to take the chuck off? I've tried everything but it's not budging.

[@ParabellumArt]

I've no idea. I would assume it's a machine taper like any other chuck but I don't want to mess with it in case I break something.

[@dandoe9167]

Kma Jack think it would handle a acrylic pen blank

[@ParabellumArt]

I've only turned wood, but it handles 25mm diameter hardwood blanks.

[@TankTurk]

I managed to get the chuck off in the end but wasn't easy. I also had to cut the brass reducer to get it off the shaft. I got (had) a small 2 inch 3 jaw chuck on it now but the electric motor didn't last long. The motor is crap, the way it's made. It has a bearing at the front but a soft steel bushing at the back. The bushing is worn and the shaft is very loose, totally useless. I have now replaced the motor with a 24V/150W electric scooter motor, belt driven.

[@parabellum_arms]

I suppose you get what you pay for. I'm definitely worried about it's service life too but I figure if I use it enough to wear out the motor or bearings then spending $500 on a proper lathe is justified. So far I haven't had any issues with mine but as soon as I do, I'll report it here.

[@pedrog.l.9924]

Thanks !!! 👍

[@guigamoretto]

well it's a lathe kzbin.infoUgkxN9zrzkkhnjUF5PQbuA_B1gYdsfCu9k6z but it wasn't what i would have anticipated. Headstock, tailstock, carriage apron are manufactured from aluminum now not cast iron. The spindle diameter for the bearings is too small allowing for a few play in the spindle so I am using some blue Loctite to take out the play.

[@tonydiaz787]

Excelente idea

[@lillydoye7418]

The adaptor they have included is unsafe. It presents both a fire and shock hazard. I strongly recommend that it be destroyed and that you wore a proper plug end onto the mains cord yourself.

[@ParabellumArt]

Thanks for the advice - I've since replaced the cable and thrown out the adaptor.

[@lillydoye7418]

Parabellum Art Thank you. I hate to see those darn things come with Chinese imports. Socket adaptors in general are often very poorly designed so you should be careful around them.

[@LW91]

Actually I bought a brand new for 25€ on eBay

[@malmsburycemeterytrust7219]

I think i'd stick with the one you made, perhaps with some modifications/ improvements.

[@hemantgupta8174]

कहा मीलेगी ये मशीन

[@pauloabade5598]

Quql e a voltagem 220 ou 110 v

[@uriellopez2130]

I got the same one for only 56 Australian dollars

[@vandammethierry]

ha lerci de montré que c'et possible de l'utilisé

[@mangilallohar4952]

Indian price kitna he ji

[@ShadowMasta]

Looks like it’s probably only good for polishing beads