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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteOpen Lathe V1 is a DIY metalworking lathe designed by Chris Borge around a concrete frame and 3D-printed forms. Hackster reports Borge estimated its build cost at AUD 100–150—approximately USD 66–100. That is a designer’s estimate, not a guaranteed or current shopping total, and the project is not presented as a high-precision machine.
How the concrete-and-print design works
Rather than using a conventional fabricated metal bed, Open Lathe V1 uses poured concrete for its frame. 3D-printed forms contain the concrete and hold components, including the spindle mount, in position while the concrete cures. The forms stay in place afterward. The design aims to create a rigid machine frame without the cost of a conventional lathe structure.
Hackster’s article also describes this as a revision of Borge’s earlier concrete-lathe attempt. That earlier version was difficult to construct and showed visible spindle deflection under a relatively light load. The article says the newer design addresses those problems and appears to perform better, but it gives no test method or quantified comparison; treat this as the article’s assessment, not a measured performance result.
What the under-$100 estimate includes—and what it does not establish
Hackster reports Borge’s estimate as AUD 100–150, approximately USD 66–100. The article names filament, concrete, a motor, and non-printable parts such as the tailstock among the cost categories. It does not provide an itemized bill of materials or current prices, so the figure is best read as an approximate project estimate rather than a build quote.
#1 Best Overall
- Precise Engineering: Ideal for professionals, this power metal lathe's high-precision 4-inch 3-jaw chuck handles both square and round objects with equal aplomb. It's especially suitable for jobs requiring high accuracy, such as threading.
- Large Working Capacity: This metal working lathe cranks out 550W and handles small to medium projects. It provides a 7.09"/180mm swing over bed and 13.78"/350mm center distance so that you can manage more extensive projects.
- Upgrade Design: This small metal lathe uses metal gear instead of a nylon one. Aluminum handwheel can increase service life. Automatic power-off protection switch to make it safer. An extra LED lamp can help you finish processing in places with insufficient light.
- Complete Control: The lathe's rotational speed can be set from 50 to 2500rpm and monitored by the digital display; the well-crafted head and tailstocks, large through-hole, and 4-way tool post also contribute to providing greater control of your work.
- Professional Construction: 4-way quick change tool post can install 4 standard turning tools at the same time. You can adjust tool post forwards/backward by turn blade adjustors with accurate scales clockwise/anticlockwise.
The article does not say whether the estimate includes shipping, taxes, tools, or equipment a builder already owns. It also does not specify quantities or exact components. Your total could therefore differ, and the source does not establish that every builder can complete the machine for less than USD 100.
Are complete plans and parts specifications available?
At the time covered by Hackster’s article, the complete bill of materials and build tutorial were not yet available. The article said the STL files were already on Printables, but it does not provide component dimensions, filament type or quantity, a motor model, or a full set of construction instructions. STL files alone are not a complete build guide: builders still need to establish compatible components and a workable construction sequence.
Rank #2
- Sturdy & Durable Construction: The mini lathe is made of high-quality cast iron which stands up to tear and wear. It is equipped with a 600W motor that delivers a great deal of energy. If you are into making models, it would be your professional assistant who has precise metric graduations and metal gears and therefore is punctilious.
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Revolving Speed Range: 50-2250±10% RPM. The mini lathe machine comes with variable speeds that give you the convenience to achieve the best work. This lathe allows you to work on both forward or reverse of any possible speed. The feeding rate can be adjusted manually or automatically. And an emergency button is accessible just in case.
- Works with Precision: Spindle Bore: 0.8"/21 mm. The metal working lathe is pre-installed with a 3-jaw chuck, 3.9"/100 mm in diameter, which clamps raw materials tight, and a backsplash guard that ensures your security during operation.
- Faster & More Effective: Swing Over Bed: 8.3"/210 mm. Swing Over Cross Slide: 13.8"/350 mm. The small metal lathe features a turret post for quick tool change and a cross slide for free blade moving, making internal cutting, face cutting and bevel cutting possible.
- Adjustable Tailstock: Taper in Tailstock Spindle: MT2. Rotate the lever clockwise to lock the spindle, and rotate clockwise to advance the handwheel. To off-set the tailstock for cutting tapers by adjusting the four set screws located on the tailstock base.
For the project article and its link to the files, see Cameron Coward’s Hackster.io coverage of Open Lathe V1. The article’s exact publication date is not shown on the reviewed page, so its statements about what plans were then available should not be treated as a guarantee of current availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can you expect it to machine?
Hackster characterizes the lathe as not high precision and cautions that it may disappoint machinists accustomed to much more expensive machines. The article supplies no measured accuracy, capacity, speed, tolerance, or repeatability figures. Without those specifications, it is not possible to verify which workpieces or machining jobs the design can handle.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- 【 High precision 】Our metal lathe uses a high precision spindle, the accuracy is less than 0.01mm, the use of 4" 3 jaw self-centering chuck, so that the cylinder material fixed smoothly. It can be used for precision machining such as turning, drilling, boring and threading
- 【 High speed 】Our lathes operate at 0-2500 RPM and are reversible. Digital display of clear speed, manual operation or adjustable automatic feed speed, including emergency stop button.
- 【 Professional composite tool holder 】The small metal lathe is equipped with a turret column with quick tool change and a central tool holder of the clamping piece, which can achieve internal cutting, face cutting and bevel cutting positions, and is made of high-grade aluminum alloy for durability.
- 【 Solid structure 】The 7.09-inch swing bed and 14-inch horizontal slide frame make it easy for you to handle large and small projects. Motor power: 550W. Mini lathe made of high-quality cast iron, aluminum alloy hand wheel, wear-resistant, more accurate rotation, more professional.
- 【 Purpose 】This mini metal lathe handles turning, drilling, threading and cutting effortlessly. Its functionality extends to a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, brass, aluminum, etc
Accordingly, regard Open Lathe V1 as an experimental low-cost machine concept, not a documented substitute for a production or precision lathe. The available coverage does not establish performance for any particular material, cut, or level of dimensional accuracy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Direct Drive Motor: The mini metal lathe machine adopts a direct drive motor, no belt drive, and no need to replace the belt. 800W brushless motor that provides more power and avoids the need for brush replacements, saving time and effort.
- Built to Last: The mini metal lathe is built to last with high-quality HT200 cast iron. They come equipped with wear-resistant and strong metal gears and aluminum alloy handwheels, ensuring a longer service life.
- Continuously Variable: Features a spindle that can turn in both forward and reverse directions with 150-2500 RPM continuously variable speed range. It also has intelligent electric speed controls and a digital display, allowing for convenient data reading.
- Widely Used: 7'' x 16'' metal lathe machine can be used for processing precision parts and models. A wide range of turning pitches can create 19 kinds of threads, 9 kinds of the metric system (0.5-3 mm), and 10 kinds of the imperial system (10-44 TPI).
- Security Comes First: Our power metal lathes have multiple security features in case of emergency, ensuring operator security. These include an emergency stop switch, overload protection, chuck cover power off switch, and a main control panel security switch.
Rank #4
- 🎁 Complete Ready-to-Use Kit with 5 Carbide Tipped Cutters Includes 5 pieces of 4x4mm alloy turning/boring tools (high hardness, wear-resistant). No need to buy cutters separately – start machining immediately after unboxing. Perfect for beginners and pros alike.
- 🔇 20000 RPM Ultra-Quiet Motor & Triple Protection Library-quiet operation (~55dB) with a high-torque motor. Built-in over-current, over-voltage, and over-temperature protection ensures safe use at home, school, or workshop.
- 🏗️ 100% All-Metal Construction – Zero Plastic Dovetail bed + square-nut sliding system for zero shake. Industrial rigidity delivers professional results on metal, wood, acrylic, and plastics.
- 📏 0.02mm Precision Scale & ±0.01mm Repeatability Max turning diameter 50mm, length 150mm. Permanently etched handwheel scales allow micron-level control – ideal for model parts, pens, rings, and small components.
- 🗄️ One-Box Solution – Everything You Need Includes: all-metal mini lathe, 5x 4x4mm carbide tipped cutters (boring/turning set), universal power adapter (110V–240V), base plate, and manual. Just open, clamp, and create.
What to check before starting a build
- Plans: Confirm that usable instructions and a complete parts list are available; the Hackster article did not report them as complete.
- Parts: Identify the required motor, tailstock, and other non-printed components before estimating your budget. Their specifications are not stated in the article.
- Printing: Establish compatible filament and print requirements independently; the source gives no material or quantity.
- Budget: Treat AUD 100–150 (approximately USD 66–100) as Borge’s reported estimate, not a current itemized total.
- Capability: Do not assume a particular capacity or precision level; the article provides no measured machine specifications.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
