The Proxxon FD 150 Metalworking lathe is a compact precision lathe designed for metalworking tasks with a spindle speed range from 800 to 5000 RPM. Its small footprint (150 mm width, 360 mm depth, 150 mm height) and solid construction make it suitable for detailed facing, longitudinal turning, boring, taper turning, slicing and drilling. The machine includes a three-jaw self-centering chuck, live centre in the tailstock, dovetail guide bed made from continuous casting aluminium and an ER11-compatible spindle bore for collet use.
Advantages
The lathe combines a quiet DC motor with a 2-stage belt drive and additional electronic speed control to deliver high torque at low speeds and fine speed selection up to 5,000 rpm, enabling work on both larger and very small parts. A precision-bearing mounted main spindle with an 8.5 mm continuous bore supports collets and accessories. Ergonomic controls include a main switch with emergency stop and restart protection, handwheels with zero-adjustable scale rings for fine feed (0.05 mm per division, 1.0 mm per revolution), and an adjustable tailstock with live centre for improved concentricity.
Suitable for
- Precision hobby metalworking and model making
- Small-series component production and prototyping
- Turning, facing and taper jobs on small workpieces
- Boring, drilling and slicing of metal parts
Key specifications
- Spindle speed range: 800–5000 RPM with electronic speed control
- Drive: Quiet DC motor with 2-stage belt drive
- Spindle bore: continuous 8.5 mm (ER11 collet compatible)
- Chuck: Three-jaw self-centering (inside jaws 1.5–32 mm; outside jaws 20–60 mm)
- Bed: Dovetail guides in continuous casting aluminium
- Tailstock: Die-cast aluminium with spindle and live centre (MT0/short fit)
- Tool support: Rotating tool post for 6 x 6 mm tool bits
- Top slide travel (Z): 60 mm; Cross slide travel (X): 40 mm
- Taper capability: Upper carriage angle adjustable to +/- 45°
- Handwheels: Zero-adjustable scale ring (0.05 mm per division, 1.0 mm per revolution)
- Footprint (W×D×H): approximately 150 × 360 × 150 mm
How to use
Secure the lathe on a stable bench or stand and ensure the work area is clear. Mount the workpiece in the three-jaw chuck or collet, and support longer pieces with the tailstock live centre. Select an appropriate cutting tool and install it in the rotating tool post. Choose the required spindle speed using the electronic speed control, taking advantage of the two-stage belt drive for higher torque at lower speeds. Use the handwheels to make precise feed movements; each revolution corresponds to 1.0 mm travel. Always engage the main switch and verify the emergency stop and restart protection before machining.
Usage recommendations
Use appropriate cutting fluids for the material being machined to improve surface finish and tool life. For fine-detail work, use ER11 collets to reduce runout and ensure concentric clamping. Regularly check and clean the dovetail guides, and apply light lubricant to sliding surfaces. Inspect belts and drive components periodically and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance intervals to keep speed control and spindle bearings functioning reliably.
