Good learner lathe

[Keeper96]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice on a decent lathe to buy as a first machine, I used lathes in my time at school and college for simple jobs such as facing parts etc. But would love one in the garage to learn to use properly, it’s a big garage with plenty of space and I’m always tinkering with old cars and engines.

Any recommendations of what makes, models and features I should be looking for?

Thanks

 

[brightspark]

look ahead at what you intend using it for . a smallish one will be ok for a few bits here and there if your wanting machining big ish stuff get a larger one to start off with . just don't go jumping in at the 1st machine that turns up even though you are keen to start. don't buy an old knacker that needs work doing on it or one that's supposed to be re furbished when in reality its been rusty and worn and someones tightened the slides up to take up the wear and painted it

 

[Keeper96]

look ahead at what you intend using it for . a smallish one will be ok for a few bits here and there if your wanting machining big ish stuff get a larger one to start off with . just don't go jumping in at the 1st machine that turns up even though you are keen to start. don't buy an old knacker that needs work doing on it or one that's supposed to be re furbished when in reality its been rusty and worn and someones tightened the slides up to take up the wear and painted it

Good advice! When I first started buying cars to fix up I fell into the trap of “it’s had all the big bits done, just needs finishing!” So I’m wary these days haha.

I was thinking of buying the sort of thing you see in a school workshop but can’t remember what make we used to have!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Dont discount bigger lathes if one comes up.
The more tooling they have the better. It gets expensive or impossible in some cases to find steadies etc.

Get a transport plan in place.
Engine crane and van/trailer so when the right one comes up your ready to go.

Don't discount 3phase. Can pick up a new motor and vfd for under 160 to get you turning.

 

[brightspark]

Good advice! When I first started buying cars to fix up I fell into the trap of “it’s had all the big bits done, just needs finishing!” So I’m wary these days haha.

I was thinking of buying the sort of thing you see in a school workshop but can’t remember what make we used to have!

a lot of boxfords in schools. bit bigger than a myford and well usable next up are harrisons and colchesters

 

[Keeper96]

Thanks so far guys, given me some things to look at.

How will I be able to tell if it can cut threads etc?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Thanks so far guys, given me some things to look at.

How will I be able to tell if it can cut threads etc?

To cut threads it will need a leadscrew and gearbox or chabgewheels to vary the ratio between Spindle and leadscrew

 

[CoValent]

Any recommendations of what makes, models and features I should be looking for?

The lathe with the most tooling and accessories. You can easily double the price of a decent lathe in the cost of tooling.
As eLuSiVeMiTe says, three phase is a non-issue these days as digital inverters (VFD) are so inexpensive.

 

[CoValent]

To cut threads it will need a leadscrew and gearbox or chabgewheels to vary the ratio between Spindle and leadscrew

I wouldn't not buy a lathe lacking in those features myself. Most of the older used lathes you'll come across are only set up to cut imperial threads anyway. There are other options open to consideration including adding a stepper motor drive to control the leadscrew.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I wouldn't not buy a lathe lacking in those features myself. Most of the older used lathes you'll come across are only set up to cut imperial threads anyway. There are other options open to consideration including adding a stepper motor drive to control the leadscrew.

My S&B model L is plain turning.
The capstan tailstock and lever slide negate it as does having a second lathe.

Have considered an escrew.

 

[winchman]

Have look here
http://www.lathes.co.uk
We started with a very small model makers lathe but now have a 100 years old Drummon, space is a big issue for us so have to be small

 

[CoValent]

My S&B model L is plain turning.

That's not just a lathe, though. That is a piece of sculpture.

 

[CoValent]

A few sub £1000 lathes in your immediate vicinity:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lathes/myford-ml7-lathe/1342570853
https://www.gumtree.com/p/lathes/viceroy-lathe/1341632627
https://www.gumtree.com/p/lathes/boxford-4-1-2-precision-model-a-lathe/1342275641

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

That's not just a lathe, though. That is a piece of sculpture.

Couldn't bare to break it lovely looking thing . I bought it for the chucks and collets for my Model M
Ended up rebuilding it. Well nearly.

 

[awemawson]

A big lathe will make small parts, a small lathe will only make small parts !

Check spindle bore - a big hole 'up the spout' is essential for long shafts and such, this is a BIG failing of Myfords.

A screw cutting gear box personally I'd consider essential.

A full set of tooling will cost almost as much as the machine so if a used machine comes well tooled it's a huge bonus when starting off.

A three jaw chuck, a four jaw chuck, and a tailstock chuck are pretty much essential. Fixed and moving steadies a bonus. Taper turning attachments a luxury. Ainjest threading attachments very nice but imply it's been used in production so beware of wear.

Don't choose something 'oddball' that you can't get accessories for - it's a bit like choosing a car - Ford bits are everywhere and cheap(ish) whereas Porche may be nicer but not so easy to find or afford bits.

In my view you can't go too wrong with a Colchester Student 1800 or Master 2500 if in decent condition. The older Student and Master 1000's and 1200's are good solid machines as well but again you need to assess their state of wear.

Nice as it may be to have a Dean Smith and Grace or similar tool room lathe, accessories cost a fortune and are as rare as hens teeth.

 

[M K]

For the price and availability I’d say the Harrison M300 on a £90 huanyang inverter

 

[winchman]

This bloke is a Good Egg and sells inverters, usually last years model but cheaper
http://newton-tesla.com
As others have said tooling is key some good value stuff on Bangood

 

[slimjim]

A few sub £1000 lathes in your immediate vicinity:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lathes/myford-ml7-lathe/1342570853
https://www.gumtree.com/p/lathes/viceroy-lathe/1341632627
https://www.gumtree.com/p/lathes/boxford-4-1-2-precision-model-a-lathe/1342275641

The model A boxford looks an ok buy to me, screw cutting gearbox, thread cutting dial, 4 jaw chuck

It’s similar to my own, though mine is a metric one,

Of course you always could do with one a little bigger than you have.

 

[Keeper96]

I had seen that boxford model and thought it looked like a good buy, think I’ll message and arrange a viewing.

What should I be looking for when viewing? Usual wear points and issues etc.

 

[winchman]

Write out a check list and stick to it.
Tooling
Checks
Faceplates etc
If you need it it will all cost extra assuming you can find it