Colchester or Boxford ?

[JEZGUZ]

I'm considering upgrading my lathe, I've got a Myford ML4 at the moment but want something better. Looking at Colchester Bantam or Chipmaster or a Boxford .What's the good and bad on both and what should I be looking to pay ?

 

[Pete.]

The Bantam/Chippy is a superior machine to any Boxford condition allowing but if you don't get all the bits that usually come with a lathe you'll pay through the nose for them.

 

[Arc Tourist]

On the Chipmaster's, the variator can be a major issue, and are very expensive to sort out; the usual remedy is to remove it and replace with a pully conversion along with a VFD for speed control. If you are extremely fortunate in your search, you may find one of the fixed six speed models, which would be like winning the lottery as they would be as rare as finding a polar bear in a desert.

 

[Seadog]

I own a Boxford, a great little lathe.
Given the room I'd have something larger such as a Harrison or Colchester. As mentioned, the value is in the attachments.

 

[Newlands]

If you go for a Boxford, make sure it’s a Model,A with the screw cutting gearbox. But they only take ¾” through the headstock which I found was a bit of a pain when I had one. A Harrison or a Colchester would be a better move up from a Myford, but as @pete says make sure you get all the accessories - I saw one skinflint selling one on eBay with the big C spanner for the chuck on a separate listing .
Look for a 3 and 4 jaw chuck, faceplate, decent toolpost and toolholders, fixed steady would be nice as well.

 

[Maker]

Chipmaster is the best lathe ever made.

 

[brightspark]

Chipmaster is the best lathe ever made.

apart from the variatorthey had one at college and 6 Harrison's we just used the Harrison's

 

[Maker]

When they were new, a variator was brilliant, continuously variable speed without losing power at the low end, what more could you want. It's just a shame all the old ones are shagged. Allspeeds are still going and I believe will still service old ones, won't be cheap though so everyone just swaps it out for an inverter.

 

[Pete.]

The allspeeds variator I had was certainly adjustable and didn't look too complicated. I expect that you could probably regrind the cones if they were slightly worn. I'd certainly give it a try.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Originally, I was looking for a Clausing 4900 series lathe to replace the 14" x 48" one I sold overseas. Couldn't find a Chipmaster either that was in decent condition when searching a few years ago, but was lucky to come across a Boxford which was in great condition; so settled for it as I was retired, and felt it would cover most of my future needs.

Finding related accessories was the difficult part, as it's always been rare to find a lathe for sale with all the original equipment offered. If you do, calculate the value, and even if it adds up to the going rate, buy it, otherwise you can expect a long wait, perhaps months or even years to acquire what you need or want.

 

[tigdlo]

There is a Raglan 5" on ebay at the moment with the fixed and travelling steady on different auctions, has got to be out of greed, nobody has the steady rests waiting to buy the lathe.

 

[RichardM]

@JEZGUZ
FYI

Boxford Lathe

Boxford lathe - 3 phase Quick change tool post Power feed and screw cutting All runs as it should £895 collection from Bristol or ask for price for delivery

www.facebook.com

 

[Seadog]

By the time you've bought a steady, some centres, faceplate, etc., etc., it'll be nearer £1200-1300.

 

[Morris]

The Bantam is a great lathe in a compact package. I wouldn't be without mine.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I think it is really worth keeping your options open.

I reckon there is two approaches when it comes to machine tool hunting.
Either you know exactly what you want and will travel the country for the right machine, or you look at what makes logistic sense and throw your net wide and find the best condition and well equiped machine for your budget.
I've done both.

I'm sure you know the Boxfords are basically just a southbend in disguise - and there were a lot of different southbend clones made over the years.
Colchester made some good lathes, but there were plenty of others that were making machines comparable or better.

The advantage of looking at other less well known machines is they can often represent better value, be better equipped or come up closer.
There are quite a few options if you are open to alternatives - for example I've got a couple of Kerry lathes, which are similar to a Harrison but less sought after.

The Raglen mentioned above is a nice option, Denford/Viceroy TDS are also a very good machines about the same size as a boxford. Smart and Brown had the Sabel, another Southbend clone.
If you can squeeze in something bigger you will get more for your money - There are Harrisons of course, but also things like a Churchill Cub. Or even a Smart and Brown 1024.

Don’t rule out some of the old Eastern bloc iron, some very heavy very well made machines that can go for good prices.
I'd say even a decent Taiwanese machines is worth considering if the price and condition is right.

Tons of options to look at - and as always accessories and condition are key.

 

[pptom]

I was looking for about a year for a decent model A boxford, but it was during the pandemic when I think prices went silly.
Gave up in the end as they fall into the kind of hobby range and so command higher prices, in the same way as Myfords do.
Eventually I picked up a Smart and Brown 1024 for the same price as a 1/2 decent model A and it's in a different league.
Of course being a more professional lathe it has its drawbacks of being significantly heavier to move, 3 phase and alot less spare parts available, but can't see me ever needing to upgrade again and it will turn out far higher quality parts than the operator can manage.

 

[fizzy]

Agreed on the highlighted above. But just as true that high quality parts can be made on a lesser quality machine - just needs a better operator!

A good turner will turn out better work on an old clapped out machine than a novice on a brand new lathe!

 

[fizzy]

I was looking for about a year for a decent model A boxford, but it was during the pandemic when I think prices went silly.
Gave up in the end as they fall into the kind of hobby range and so command higher prices, in the same way as Myfords do.
Eventually I picked up a Smart and Brown 1024 for the same price as a 1/2 decent model A and it's in a different league.
Of course being a more professional lathe it has its drawbacks of being significantly heavier to move, 3 phase and alot less spare parts available, but can't see me ever needing to upgrade again and it will turn out far higher quality parts than the operator can manage.

Very nice I would love a 1024.