Chester machine tools

[Daveleonard]

Hi gents,

Just a quick question has anyone had any equipment from Chester machine tools and are they any good?

Many thanks for your feedback.

 

[grim_d]

@doubleboost has a 626.

Certainly usable machines

I'd imagine quality will vary depending on size of machine

 

[northwest]

I have bught quite a bit from them and currently have one of their Gear Head Mills.

Tony was the Sales Manager there for a long time and really put some effort into their website and started a forum full of manuals and info but he took seriously ill and the forum has now gone. Twice a year they have open days, next one December and usually a good bargain to be had.

Their lathes and Mills are exactly the same as the Warco and Axminster offerings but they all have them built to different configuratons.

 

[Matthew92]

Before I bought my milling machine, I looked at the Chester 626 and the Warco VMC both the same machine. I was not impressed with the Chester offering, perhaps unfair judging them on a display model but the Warco got my vote and they got my business when I bought my lathe as well.

 

[fizzy]

Have a look at Amadeal as well. Spoke to the owner a while back - been doing it for years and a very nice helpful bloke.

 

[addjunkie]

After visiting the model engineering exhibition I had hands on with both chester and warco, bought warco, felt they were better finished and less car salemaney...no offence meant to car sales people, except those who wear pointy shoes of course.

 

[northwest]

Have a look at Amadeal as well. Spoke to the owner a while back - been doing it for years and a very nice helpful bloke.

Aaah! Yes, forgot about him. He is, as you say, very helpful.

 

[fizzy]

Aaah! Yes, forgot about him. He is, as you say, very helpful.

Unlike Chronos and Axminister

 

[dobbslc]

I've got the combi lathe / mill and it's ok, I've made some nice stuff on it but there's better out there.
I needed some spare bevel gears and bushings for the carriage on mine and after many weeks and phone calls I finally got them, they sent second hand parts!!!
I gave up after a few phone calls complaining as they just denied it and didn't give a monkeys.
Try Warco as the green ones are betterer!

 

[Matthew92]

bought warco, felt they were better finished

That was my experience too, on the 626 I looked at the hinges on the belt guard/lid were smoothed over with body filler, this had cracked and fallen out leaving a mess. Warco just have a nice pair of surface mounted hinges, they look fine.

 

[Greeves246]

Had a lathe from Chester, no problems . Also Excellent service from
https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/
on a milling machine and bits and pieces. Lots of recommendations for them on the Model Engineers forum.

 

[Daveleonard]

Thanks for the feed back gents all taken on board.

 

[Shox Dr]

I was desperate for a small lathe a few yrs ago to go in a mobile workshop, called Chester machine, told them what I wanted and need to collect that day. Drove from East Yorks to there place to find, they didn't have that machine or any like it. Were t apologetic whatsoever, would even give a discount for been messed about. Moot point really as what I did see I wasn’t impressed with.

Drove home just in time to speak to Warco. Who sorted me out in double quick time.

While that was a few yrs ago, I have since looked over their offerings along side of Axminster and Warco, at engineering shows. Still wouldn’t entertain one