This is my first post to this forum so firstly I'd like to say hello to everyone here.

My question is about a machine lathe suitable for making shell and other gimmicked coins. I'm looking for one - if anyone has any experience with them and can recommend a particular model, technique or even a place where it might be possible to buy one (new or second hand) I'd be delighted to hear from you. In fact, if you have any experience with making your own coins please write a reply - advice of any kind would be appreciated!

If you go to http://www.tabmantables.com , Go to Casino Chips and click on this section there is a picture of a lathe that he uses to make his chips.

I use a Taig for my coins
http://www.taigtools.com/mlathe.html

The lathe on this site is on my wish list. http://www.micromark.com/ Right now am using an old lathe but would like a newer one.
Ray

Thanks! The Taig looks good. I wonder if it's available in the UK?

I'm looking to embed objects within the coin, so I need to machine a shell and lid. I'm guessing other tools are necessary, some kind of holder for the coin, or an adhesive ...

I've done a lot with my Taig - it's a great tool. Nick Carter and Rick Lane (in US) are the go to guys if you have any questions.

As far as coin work goes, people are much more quiet about their methods. I haven't found any books on the subject - mostly comes down to trial and error.

Any other lathes?

This is the one I prefer.

TW

Yeah, as I would prefer THIS to my Chevy Cobalt. Those units must cost as much as a house!

Now that is a serious machine.

For a hobbyist (not looking to go into major production) check out the Taig or Sherline lathes. They're very small, portable and built well. You can get many different accessories for both, as well as learn to make your own. It's all about experimentation with these things. They're meant for very small turnings, so as long as you're not planning on cutting 4" cups out of a block of brass, you should be okay.

I'd stay away from the mini Unimat - not much power at all. The Microlux 7x14 and similar (cheaper) Harbor Freight models look pretty fun to play with too.

The Taig looks good. It's manufactured in the UK under another name, and the price seem reasonable. The expensive and difficult part would seem to be getting/machining a collet. Most Taig collets seem a little too small for the coins we have here in the UK.

Only if you live in a $20,000 house, in which case you'd probably be more comfortable living in your Chevy Cobalt - lol.

TW

LOL

Hardinge collet lathes are great and because the made so many you can find them used in the thousand dollar range, if your patient. Another positive is the amount of used tooling available for these lathes. You should be easily able to find a worn used collet, and have it annealed soft and make your own collets for the size coins you want to make into a shells, then have it heat treated back to proper tool hardness and save hundreds of dollars. If you can't make the collet you might not want to try the shells.

I've used mine for wood as well as metal.

OR you can do what I and most other machinists do. You can buy a machinable blank collet (sometimes referred to as an "emergency collet") for around $10 and just machine it right on your lathe to fit the particular coin size you're working with.

TW

TW is correct. As a matter of fact, the emergency collets are currently on sale for $5.89. Only a very experienced and talented blacksmith would waste time on annealing old worn out collets. Perhaps because that is all he knows?

BTW - the lathes are not termed "collet lathes" by those who use them. At least try to sound like you know what you are writing about. If someone buys a bargain priced probably clapped out Hardinge (as advised above) that needs new bearings, sticker shock will set in rapidly after pricing the bearings. Putting them in is another huge delicate task that is best not done by heavy hammer carrying blacksmiths.
MR

Thank you both for the information about "emergency collet" that is an excellent time and money saving tip.

My lathe turns as true as the day Boeing bought it new.

P.S. Could you pass along the name of the supplier that has them on sale? At that price I will buy several.

I heart my Hardinge... and my two Logans... and my CNC gang-tool lathe... and my speed lathe... and my Powermatic wood lathe... and my Rockwell wood lathe.

TW

Sherline makes some of the finest mini metal lathes and milling machines. prices are reasonalble and they carry plenty of accessories.

A bit cheesy but I just machined the replaceble soft jaws on my 3 jaw chuck on my little taig posted earlier for the dollar I made