Lets talk about lathes

[Spark plug]

I started out with a Boxford and soon realised that the 7/8" spindle bore is useless, when I got my m300 I thort I had won the lottery with its 1-1/2" spindle bore.

Even though I still find the m300 limited as I seem to use 2" bar a lot these days I can live with it. But I wouldn't even concider a lathe that couldn't pass 1" as no mater what your makeing 1" is a very common size.

 

[MattF]

If anything I'd say a worn machine would only be much good for an 'experienced' turner - if you're a beginner and self-teaching how do you identify the limitations of the machine?

I tend to think the opposite way. I like learning the hard way, and then everything you use which is better is a breeze/pleasure in comparison. Saying that though, with my leaning towards vintage/antique machinery, I don't necessarily always have much choice.

 

[brightspark]

i once had a sh...it ark welder and perciveered ive got a decent oil cooled one now and im still crap only joking half decent

 

[DanielW]

i once had a sh...it ark welder and perciveered ive got a decent oil cooled one now and im still crap only joking half decent

And here was me thinking noah made it out of wood.

 

[MrFluffy]

And her was me thinking noah made it out of wood.

*cue needle falling off irony meter about mistakes on a post commenting on a post with a mistake*

 

[500e]

http://projectmachinery.co.uk/focus.aspx?itemID=8705
With converter £775 don't seem bad if it is in fair condition

 

[Mr Fro]

Thanks guys - loads of good info!

I'm going to keep a keen eye on the industrial auctions, here (of course) and a few other places to see if something mega turns up at a good price. Otherwise it'll probably be a new one.

I kind of find it irritating that a lot of the specialist second hand sites buy cheap at auction, wipe the swarf off, double the price, add vat and bung it up for sale. Grumble, grumble...

 

[Kram]

Seems more lathes on here than migs, should rename it

My biggest critiscism of the newer warco machines is the higher min speed, i like 45 rpm. Dro is also great, and worth paying for.

What!?!? you have a lathe, make one. 5 min job? Similarly I made up a 30mm spacer and now have that much more travel on cross slide with the original screw. Many improvements can be made. Im going to make a few pulleys as I want higher speed for small milling cutters. It'd be nice to make a small gearbox between the motor and spindle, anyone done it? 1.3kw is not that much power...

If you dont have access to, or intend to get a mill then something that can do both well might be a big advantage. Seems old or small lathes are no good at milling. I'm impressed that mine can manage tool steel ok, I did think it would struggle but its ideal size for the stuff I'm doing. Im sure the bigger ones you linked will be great for anything you can fit in them!

Save some monies for tooling, its not cheap. Very happy I bought a new one (and I wouldn't buy a new bike )


Many used old and larger lathes sell quite near the scrap price of iron. For the size of them it would cost a lot more to transport than your paying! its luck if you find a decent one near enough.

 

[Screwdriver]

When you are looking to buy a secondhand lathe, you should be just as concerned with the included tooling and accessories. So long as the lathe itself has minimal wear, the bigger ones (like my Colchester Student) can be bought almost as cheaply as some individual components like four jaw chucks, faceplates, travelling steadies, tool posts/holders etc.

The more tooling and accessories you get within the deal the better because when you buy them individually, they can be ferociously expensive.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

Just looked at the CUD in the link above and saw this one.It says German,but has a Chinese look to it.Anyone know about them?

http://projectmachinery.co.uk/focus.aspx?itemID=5728

 

[Pete.]

Chinese for sure. Don't discount that size of machine though, its not so much of a noodle as the tiny bench top machines. I'd have one.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

There's an 11" Harrison on here.

http://www.quillstar.co.uk/

 

[gav0994]

There's an 11" Harrison on here.

http://www.quillstar.co.uk/

Looks to be the same as Doubleboost's. If I had the money spare I'd upgrade from the boxford to that

 

[Kram]

The chinese machines are usually made by weiss machinery and the optimum linked above is a german rebrand of them a bit like my warco (guess where the WM part of the WM240 model name comes from).
The rebrands are all very slightly different spec. There are quite a few youtubes showing what they are capable of.

http://www.weiss.com.cn/products_detail/&productId=338.html
http://www.weiss.com.cn/product/&pmcId=38.html

 

[addjunkie]

Yes mine is a bsa rebrand of a warco 1440, works a treat, does what it says on the tin. I had one of 11 to chose from barley used from a training school, the excel machines, he had some of thise too, will do everything youd ever want

Like i said earlier a new m300 is made in the far east.

 

[Screwdriver]

Really nice Denford Viceroy on lathes.co.uk

Really nice.

 

[Pete.]

That's the exact same machine I have got. very smooth on the 3 phase motor. It would make a perfect home shop lathe.

The only thing to remember when using it is that the two small levers on the top of the gearbox you shift with the machine running. Everything else you stop the lathe to shift.

 

[Mr Fro]

That's one I've been tempted by.

On a side note, we've got some auction people at work at the moment to get rid of some stuff - we got talking and he mentioned this little number. Said it's mint condition and never used. Only slight issue is that it's in Germany.

 

[ukracer]

Really nice Denford Viceroy on lathes.co.uk

Really nice.

Absolute bargain.

 

[ukracer]

That's one I've been tempted by.

On a side note, we've got some auction people at work at the moment to get rid of some stuff - we got talking and he mentioned this little number. Said it's mint condition and never used. Only slight issue is that it's in Germany.

You need to be careful . I had an almost brand new lathe similar to that and it was useless. Looks nice and shiny but bore was minute and it would not turn for toffee.

I had it to upgrade my raglan 5 inch but it was not a patch on it. I ended up with a colchester 2500 with DRO and I still have my raglan which will be for sale when I get time to take pictures. ..

I would not sell that to you though because from what you write I think you need something like that 11 inch harrison even though it has steadies and extended cross slide with T slots amongst it's accessories.

You need a machine that will be comfortable in a semi commercial environment IMHO.


Hope this helps..