When the Sherline lathe first came on the market over thirty years ago, its use of rigid, extruded components meant miniature machine tools were no longer just toys for producing simple hobby projects. They could now be considered serious machine tools built specially to produce accurate, small parts. Since then, we have not only added a vertical milling machine and extensive accessory line, we have also found ways to improve the accuracy and utility of the tools themselves. The introduction of CNC machines into our production facility has greatly improved the accuracy of Sherline tools. The lathes feature precision rolled leadscrews and handwheels graduated in thousandths of an inch (.001”) or hundredths of a millimeter (.01 mm).
When used with its various accessories, Sherline lathes will perform a host of tasks. They will turn, face, bore, drill, ream, polish, cut tapers, and cut both inch and metric threads. When used with its vertical milling column attachment it can be used for milling, fly cutting, drilling, and boring operations.
Sherline now offers several lathes to fit every budget and need, and they are available with either inch or millimeter calibrations. A high-torque DC motor with variable speed control is standard on each machine. This speed control is internally equipped with a converter that automatically adjusts to incoming AC current from 100 to 240 volts, 50 or 60 cycles/sec without loss of torque.
Standard equipment for the basic model 4000 (metric 4100) lathe includes a powerful 90 VDC motor with electronic speed controller, a 2.75" (70mm) x 6.0" (152mm) crosslide, 15" (381mm) steel bed to allow 8" (203mm) between centers, standard 1-5/8" (41mm) laser engraved aluminum handwheels, pulleys, belt, faceplate, lathe dog, two dead centers, three hexagonal keys, tool post, sharpened high-speed steel cutting tool, eight-foot, three-wire power cord and instruction booklet. This lathe can turn a part up to 3.5" in diameter over the bed or up to 1.88" over the carriage without riser blocks. With an optional riser block, parts up to 6” in diameter can be turned over the bed. The lathe has 8" of space between centers. The electronic speed control allows continuously variable speed control from 70 to 2800 RPM without belt changes. There is a second pulley position available that offers extra torque at low RPM if needed.
This lathe is a good choice for clockmakers, modelers or those who will be working on small parts. It is also the most compact lathe we make and is easily used where space is at a premium and can be stored on a closet shelf.
OTHER OPTIONS: The 4000/4100 lathe can be ordered in "CNC ready" configuration ready for the application of stepper motors and CNC controls. In this configuration the standard handwheels are supplied so that they can be used on the rear shaft of a dual shaft stepper motor for optional manual control.