i am looking at comm lathes and have been told that the twister comm lathe is one of the better lathes for the money.
i can get one for $80.00 with diamond bit(guaranteed to be good).
any help out there?
thanks

bumpp

Buy it! They are one of the best lathes out there. As long as it hasn't been dropped it should be fine. :)

If possible cut a com with it before you buy it.

thanx alot.
i just wanted some reassurance.
does anyone know where to get some info on comm cutting technics and dos and don'ts of using a lathe?
brian

You should visit (rccars.com). It's devoted entirely to motors and the equipment used for them. There is a fairly large thread on lathes. This should help you with any questions you have.

I bought a used Twister for well over $100 from someone on HObbytalk and it didnt cut right. My motors didnt have any power if I cut the comm on it. I gave it to a professional RC driver named Chris Doseck who blueprinted it and reworked the entire unit-straightening the blocks and rebuilding the ways (sp?). It now cuts beautifully. I forgot what he charged me-but it was worth it!!

So to sum-up-Just because its a Twister doesnt mean a thing!!

Ray

I have had mine for 7 years now and just this year got a new diamond, nothing wrong with the twister at all just make sure its straight and has a good bit.

losi b,

to answer a couple questions on tips and tricks,

I power my Twister Lathe w/ an old 4 cell pack but I use an old Tekin Motor Checker to control the power.

I set up the arm w/ nylon shims so it doesn't move around and put one drop of thin oil where the shaft rides. Spin up the arm slowly and using a black sharpie felt pen I cover the comm w/ ink so it's all black.

When cutting I make the smallest cut possible to remove ALL the black pen mark.

Dress the comm slots w/ a ground down old roll over antenna (Or a ball point pen works too, this removes the sharp edge)

ANYONE else have anything different??

Remember to clean the slots between the comm segments. I use the back side of a hobby knife. Get all the gunk out. I have been amazed at the gunk that collects there.

thanx guys.
any more help?
i've got to sharpen my bit.(tips?)
also, how do you set up a new bit?

by the way, i have gone to a carbide bit.