Clarke/ Draper Lathes

[Gizmo.Y]

Looking at purchasing one of these small, Bench top lathes. Sole purpose is mainly truing up bush tubes and the tube.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cl300m-metal-lathe/
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/draper-lathe-300-variable-speed-metal-work-lat/

I've been looking at the above seeing as Machine Mart now offer finance. I don't have a big wedge of money to splash one one currently, so they appear rather tempting.

anyone with experience of the lathes listed above?

 

[optima21]

if you're looking at one of those you may as well look at the amadeal lathes

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/-...ic-----span-----AMA_LA_CJ18_M_3JRB.html#SID=2

they are probably made in the same factory, but have a cheaper list price

 

[Tinbasherdan]

@roofman has one tucked away in a corner i believe, be worth asking his opinion

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@Gizmo.Y Does it have to be new? You might end up with a better machine for your budget by going 2nd user.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

I understand if i had £400, i could get an old machine.

but the Machine Marts ones offer them monthly for £20 odd with a 10% Deposit - which is affordable.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I understand if i had £400, i could get an old machine.

but the Machine Marts ones offer them monthly for £20 odd with a 10% Deposit - which is affordable.

if it was me, and if you arent terribly desperate for a lathe right now, id be just putting that money aside each month until you have enough to buy a decent second hand machine outright

 

[rikrobson]

My Boxford BUD was £500. Which has a better capacity than the 7x14 lathes, although you will need a fair amount of space. Myford will be smaller but they are are alot more cost wise.

It really depends on what you want to make. You'll struggle to make anything outside of the range of the lathe.

Also be warned. you will endup buying lots of bit and pieces for the lathe. There will be tooling, chucks,collets, etc. thenere is all the measuing gubbins and drills and reamers. The list is never ending.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

Not looking to make anything dramatic. Its more for truing up bush tubes, machining small fittings in house.

I have use of a lathe at another shop, but its becoming troublesome to keep using it, specially for small jobs.

 

[MattH]

Ignoring your financial position for a minute

The CL300 is not a bad little lathe, yes it's a rebadged Sieg 7x14 and will need a bit of fettling to make it better but it will do what you need.
Will it be as nice as using a Boxford or Myford? Not a chance but it will work and you can pick it up and move it about.
I started of with one and even managed to turn down hardened ballscrews with it. I mounted mine to a big piece of 20mm steel plate which meant I could still slide it around the workbench but it cut much better with all the extra mass.

Be warned, I owned mine for a few years and then traded up to a Boxford VSL and the on to best part of 1.5 Tons worth of Cardiff Elliot!
It's a disease.

 

[rikrobson]

Ignoring your financial position for a minute

The CL300 is not a bad little lathe, yes it's a rebadged Sieg 7x14 and will need a bit of fettling to make it better but it will do what you need.
Will it be as nice as using a Boxford or Myford? Not a chance but it will work and you can pick it up and move it about.
I started of with one and even managed to turn down hardened ballscrews with it. I mounted mine to a big piece of 20mm steel plate which meant I could still slide it around the workbench but it cut much better with all the extra mass.

Be warned, I owned mine for a few years and then traded up to a Boxford VSL and the on to best part of 1.5 Tons worth of Cardiff Elliot!
It's a disease.

A boxford is a fair weight. i needs en engine crane to move it.
Ive got it on long M12 feet ans can jack it up to put a trolly underneath.

When I tried to move it it nearly tipped up though. Luckily it was only just off balance and didn't need much force to stop it. So if you want something "portable" then you will need something a lot smaller.
But, if you get a smaller one then you'll soon want a bigger one.

It is a disease and there is no cure

 

[Gizmo.Y]

space is an issue in my shop, hence why im looking for a small bench top one.