Low-clearance pipe lathe

A portable machining lathe for machining a pipe or other work piece, comprising:

• (a) a stationary member having a first and second generally semi-circular sections cooperatively connected, said stationary member having a top surface and an outer surface;
• (b) locator means for securing said stationary member to the work piece;
• (c) a gear member having first and second generally semi-circular sections cooperatively connected;
• (d) a plurality of bearings cooperatively connected to said top surface of said stationary member said plurality of bearings forming a single set of bearings defining a circular path;
• (e) a circular race member having first and second semi-circular race sections cooperatively connected to said gear member, said race having a groove, said groove having a top and a bottom whereby said race member rotates upon said set of bearings in a circular path;
• and
• (f) said plurality of bearings having at least a first bearing and a second bearing, a first shim positioned between said first bearing and said top surface of said stationary member and a second shim positioned between said second bearing and said top surface of said stationary member, said second shim raising said second bearing relative to said first bearing, wherein said first bearing abuts said bottom of said race groove and said second bearing abuts said top of said race groove.