First lathe - this look any good?

[hanvyj]

I'm new to machining, but it's always interested me so I'm tentatively looking at getting a lathe for hobby work.

This has recently come up nearby:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/metalworking-lathe-/201670862940?hash=item2ef485285c:g:hvUAAOSwOyJX3VnG

I asked about changewheels and the seller says there's 6, checking lathes.co.uk there's apparently supposed to be 14, so thread-cutting might be an issue.

It doesn't seem to be a common lathe, so parts might be difficult to find. But myfords and boxfords seem to go for £1k + at least. I'm guessing this would go for a lot less.

Does it look like it's worth having a look at in person?

 

[Pete.]

It's very old, short on changewheels and has a small spindle hole. On the up-side it's not a lot of money and has chucks, faceplate and a fixed steady. I think if you buy it you might find it entertaining at first but then quickly become disillusioned.

 

[tlovatt]

Personally I would look the spend a bit more and be choosy - for £900 my father purchased an AUD in immaculate condition with plenty of accessories, suds pump etc, if you do without the gearbox BUDs or ME10s can be had for a few hundred less.

Check out the atehs.co.uk ads and also homeworkshop.org.uk and gumtree, they all tend to be better places to look than Ebay

 

[addjunkie]

http://lathes.co.uk/denham/

Good advice above

 

[zx9]

Have we not seen that lathe before?






http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/keighly-lifts-lathe.65381/

 

[brightspark]

yup at a vastly different price

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Have we not seen that lathe before?

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/keighly-lifts-lathe.65381/

Well remembered

 

[Henrik]

If I was on the look out for a lathe, and I was reasonably close by, I might be tempted by something like this. Chances are it will go for a lot less money than a myford etc, and still be able to do some useful work.
It appears small enough that it would be possible to shift it without too much trouble, yet big enough not to be of the "3" model maker's variety".

The only thing that would put me off are the plain bearings - I've had an old myford with worn bearings and it was annoying (not impossible to work around for shorter work at least).

I have a lathe of similar size, namely an Atlas with 10" swing, and it's a brand that carries a bit of stigma at least in the States, where most of them seem to be located, however it's great fun to use and I wouldn't be without it.

 

[zx9]

Well remembered

Had he replied to my or other questions I might have been tempted to go and have a look at it but even at the start price I am not interested, his loss not mine.

 

[hanvyj]

Thanks guys, think I might give it a miss. Shame, as I grew up in Keighley.


I'm tempted to start with something smaller like a 3.5 inch that can fit on a bench, if I get a well known brand it's not going to loose value. Or save up and wait for a boxford or others mentioned to come up nearby.

Thanks for the links for places to look too, I always that thered be something better than eBay.

 

[hanvyj]

Had he replied to my or other questions I might have been tempted to go and have a look at it but even at the start price I am not interested, his loss not mine.

The start price of 200 or his forum price of 500 (eventually...)?

Honestly, his lack of replies and that post makes me think twice, even if it did seem like a good buy.

 

[hanvyj]

I'd be interested in opinions on this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331957241011

Been looking at boxfords, as they can be broken down. But this is pretty local and seems like a low price. Looks like a Colchester Mk1 Master. So thread cutting gearbox. http://www.lathes.co.uk/colchester/page2.html

Assuming it has all its gearteeth and the bearings arent shot, my concern would be transporting it.

How much can I break down with a lathe like this? I know boxfords can be broken into managable chunks for maybe 2 strong guys and an estate. Is that going to be fewsable here or am I going to need something like an entine lift?

Other concern is a lack of tooling.

 

[ronan]

I'd dodge colchesters if i were you, the headstocks on them get noisy with any hard work, and the cost of spares is eyewatering. I know, i have a colchester, keep a look out for harrisons though, i've always liked them and found them good.

 

[skotl]

Have we not seen that lathe before?






http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/keighly-lifts-lathe.65381/

Good spot!