Last Updated on April 24, 2021 by Charles Wilson
One of the most versatile machines for metal handiworks is the metal lathes. An ideal lathe allows you to customize various metals into any desired dimensions smoothly, precisely, and with ease.
Depending on the size, a lathe can be used for simple DIY projects as well as any complex industrial jobs. A number of brands for metal lathes are available, and one of the well-known brands is Bolton Tools.
Before making a decision, it is wise to find out if Bolton lathes are worth it. For this reason, you can go through the article on Bolton lathes below.
So, let’s get started!
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Bolton Lathes Overview
Bolton Tools has grown over the market by manufacturing only top-notch metalworking machine tools like metal lathes, milling machines, CNC lathes and many more. Nevertheless, the specialty of this company is the metal lathe.
It is okay to get doubts after checking the price of the metal lathes produced by Bolton Tools. Their aim is to produce good quality products at an affordable price, and they have always managed to keep their word.
Many of the users have given good reviews about their products as it provides immense power and plenty of torque. The horsepower of almost all of their products is approximately around 750 to 800 hp.
You can choose from an array of products, according to your requirements and where you will work with them. They offer different lathe models including mini lathes, gunsmithing lathes, tool room lathes, and even combo lathe/mill.
The lathes offered by the Bolton Tools are either gear driven or belt-driven. For those of you willing to work for longer periods of time, gear-driven lathes are a recommendation. One of the most rated items of this company, which is gear driven, is the Bolton Tools Gear Head 12’x 24′ Metal Bench Lathe.
They are constructed in such a way that it maintains good performance and accuracy. However, some people have complained about durability issues.
Size
What size of a lathe you require depends on the size of your project. If you opt for any handiwork at home, the mini-lathe will be an excellent choice. At the same time, a larger lathe is needed for industrial size works.
The Bolton lathes are available in all different sizes including small, medium and large, according to your needs. You can also check their website for further details.
Precision
The accuracy and the precision of your work depend on the capacity of your lathe. You can measure the capacity of a lathe in two dimensions which is the maximum length of the diameter; also called a swing and the distance between centers.
The Bolton lathes are designed to cover both of those dimensions as per the needs of the customers. To ensure which Bolton lathe to choose from, you to have to keep those factors in mind. They are:
Lathe Swing Capacity
This refers to the maximum size workpiece that can rotate without hitting the bed. Normally for almost all their lathes, the lathe swing over bed ranges from 320-450mm.
Distance Between the Centers
It indicates the maximum length of the workpiece that can be accommodated. The Bolton tools have distance between 600-800mm.
By measuring the size and diameter of your work, you can purchase any item from the Bolton Tools with the preferred swing capacity and distance between the centers. It is important because without the accurate size it will not give the desired results.
Weight
The purpose and the site of your work will determine what type of lathe weight you are going to choose.
It varies for different workplaces as for example; you have to choose a lighter lathe for your home uses whereas, for commercial or industrial usage, weight is not a factor as there is available manpower.
Both the options can be found with the Bolton lathes. The Bolton Tools CQ9332 weighs around 600lbs which is comfortable for garages or homes. On the other hand, there are other products which are heavier than the CQ9332.
The weight of the lathe also plays an important role in its stability. The more the weight, the stable your machine is.
Additional Accessories
If you want to tweak some changes with your lathes, Bolton lathes offer you wide ranges of optional accessories like chuck with mounting plates, faceplates or a stand with oil plate.
The best part is that these accessories are self-manufactured, and you can buy them from Bolton Tools without worrying about whether they would fit or not.
Durability
Some workers have raised an issue in the durability department while others had quite the opposite opinion. When researched, it was found out that the durability issue is mainly due to long hours of work.
On the other hand, those who did not use the machine for long hours did not present any complaints towards it. So, if you do not need to use this lathe for continuous work, then this will not be a problem.
Price Range
The Bolton lathes are well known for their unbelievable price range. They have managed to provide high-efficiency products at an affordable price.
A feat made possible with them providing direct factory pricing which does not require a middleman and therefore you can save when purchasing it from them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lathe bore size?
It is one inch in size.
Why is it cheap?
It is because they provide the factory price rate.
Do they have a coolant system?
Yes, most of the products have an effective coolant system.
Can this machine cut threads?
Yes, they can cut both metric and standard threads according to the type of product you buy.
Final Thought
In my opinion, Bolton lathes are good options with their price and quality. I hope this article will give you an idea about the Bolton lathes. And whether you want it or not, that decision is completely up to you as only you know your specific needs and preferences.
Good luck!