The 8L Lathe is a small machine with big capabilities and has the ability to fill turning needs in a variety of spaces. Rigid enough to cut anything, whether it’s plastic, stainless steel or even titanium, this machine can handle it. The 8L features a robust machine stand with an integral coolant tank, a separate chip drawer for easy removal, storage drawers and optional side shelving, and more.
The 8L lathe features a 5C spindle that accommodates parts up to 1-in. diameter, which meets the needs of most lathe users. For larger pieces up to 8-in. in diameter, users can simply add a 3 or 4-jaw chuck to cut the stock.
Like all Tormach CNC machines, the 8L lathe will be controlled by the PathPilot software system. That means users can use intuitive conversational lathe programming, do rigid tapping, and leverage built-in Dropbox support for transferring programs. PathPilot and PathPilot HUB has been known to be incredibly powerful for both beginners, as well as veteran machinists and educators.
The machine offers a 1.5 HP (1.11 kW) spindle that runs at 180 to 5,000 RPM. It already comes with the machine in a fully assembled enclosure as part of the base model, but the footprint remains small (26 x 50 in.), and the lathe itself is attached to a hand-scraped, 140-lb. cast base. Like all Tormach machine tools, the 8L runs on a standard single-phase household power (115 Vac, 50/60 Hz, and a 15 A breaker).
The maximum workpiece length is 10 in. with the tailstock. The X-axis travel is 4.5 in., so users can accommodate a part that fully utilizes the 8-in. swing.
It’s configured for Industry Standard OXA Quick Change Tool Post. Instead of the operator needing two wrenches that turn hardware in opposite directions, the machine itself can lock down the tool holder. By allowing ‘one hand tool changing’, this takes a typically inconvenient task and not only makes it easier but also greatly reduces the time required to change the tooling.