Projects What’s a brake lathe worth?

I’m about to leave for work, but will PM you a pic or two of mine tomorrow and we can see if they’re the same thing.

 

I have an Ammco that I grabbed off of FB Marketplace locally. It's a good machine that has all of the adapters and cones and whatnot. I feel like these machines are both inordinately expensive to purchase new, but also basically worthless on the resale market because for the most part, everyone just replaces the rotors now instead of cutting them. The latter seems just the better way to go from a cost/beneit analysis. Where the brake lathe shines is when you have to cut an obsolete drum that you can't just go and get from the parts store.

I also have a large South Bend lathe that I need to get up and running, which might actually replace the brake lathe depending on how it does. That said, I paid $100 for this brake lathe, so it's probably worth it just to keep it around.

 

Just because I'm the curious type I looked on FB Marketplace and there are several brake lathes (as well as a few valve grinders) and they start at about $400 and go into the $1200 range. Free would be good though. Really good.

 

I have been putting a light cut on new drums and rotors.....amazing how many are not true.

 

The problem was as I remember that the cone that tightened down onto the snout of the Cragar would then pull against the snout when the mechanism that broke the bead exerted outward pressure causing the thin upper portion of the snout to break. If you were lucky the center cap would cover the breakage. If not no guarantees against breakage on Cragars. We did have an old flywheel that we placed on top of the Cragar and then tightened the center cone down on it to secure the wheel. It was difficult to securely fasten the wheel so you could break the bead. all in all a real PITA.

 

Yep, thinking back on it a little, it was the spoked wheels that were the troublemakers, because the durn Coates retainer did not fit the wheel. Of course, the adapter was readily available, but no one was going to buy that, because "I never had one" syndrome prevailed. One owner told me to hold them down with a muffler clamp! I suppose the best solution would have been the tire machines that are used today, that hold the rim, instead of the center.

 

EXACTLY RIGHT!

 

Just wondering, maybe the brake lathe isn't true?

If you have any junk drums, try turning one, then take it out of the lathe and reinstall it, and cut again. Or put a dial indicator on it on this second setup.

 

I never did update this. Someone asked what they were selling it for. I spoke to the owner last Monday and when they moved to the new location he gave it to one of the employees.

 

I did similar with my valve refacer. I put the valve in my lathe and checked the cut with a dial indicator.

 

I can answer that a brake lathe is worth about $80 in gas money, and a lifetime of goodwill. Thanks Greg!

 

yes I checked it. it was my first thought. I think the drums get out of wack in transit, seeing how some of the delivery drivers work.

 

To me, it's not worth the space it would take up in my shop when I can get them done locally and quickly for 15-20 dollars each. Add to that, I only need to do it about once every two years. Worthless.

 

Well, if no one in the area turns drums anymore,,what options do you have?
Plus they don’t take a lot of real estate up and you can do then on your own time.
Yes, I’ll buy a 100 dollar tool so I don’t have to got into town, rent it and take it back. Even if it only saves me pittens while I have it

 

^^^^This

 

Its about doing your own work , if you save some $ that's fine . Building cars we don't need isn't about making money ( for most folks)

 

I do my own work but i have limited room for tools and machines. I dont need a tool I would use once every 2 years or so and that takes up that room. So for me, a brake lathe is worth nothing. YMMV.