What is a good beginer lathe

[123hotchef]

I had a "starter lathe", a British Challenger form the 1940s/50s, broken backgear, only a handful of changegears, pretty worn out - but it only cost me £70, came with a far too big 3HP singlephase motor and a bunch of accessories. Worked well enough for making spacers and cutting things down/drilling and boring out, but very limiting!
I kept it a year while deciding I wanted something more, er, serious, then bough a Holbrook C13 (2 and a bit tons of it) and found all the accessories that didn't fit the challenger (3 Morse instead of 2 Morse) fitted the Holbrook...

It wasn't plug and play, as the C13 has a 3-phase ONLY motor (dustbin sized 3-speed with lots of windings, had to hack a VFD to run it off 240, rewire completely in my usual overcomplicated fashion that cost half as much again), but it cost half the price of that first Myford, has a proper QCGB that does imperial and metric, power feeds, taper attachment... Has a nice almost art deco look about it too

A carp lathe may put you off by frustrating your every move, it's definitely worth getting something worthwhile - a bit like folks on here advise not to get a carp welder as it'll convince you that you can't weld?

Dave H. (the other one)

All great advice so what lathe would.you guys recommend that one had sold now. But I don't want to upgrade 5.months down.the roadm

 

[123hotchef]

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Whoops.
Might have given you this idea in your bushing post.
It's an enjoyable journey.

Best advice. Put the money to one side. Keep doing your homework on what to watch out for re damage and wear and get a plan in place to move it.
When the right lathe comes up your hot to trot.

The more accessories and tooling the better. I've spent more on it than I did on both lathes and a mill.

 

[brightspark]

thats had a bit of a hard life and overpriced

 

[123hotchef]

I am all up for waiting for the right lathe money is ready and waiting for the right one. It is good to have all your expert advice. As for moving I'll take the engine crane some metal bar and the Mrs horse box

 

[123hotchef]

 

[brightspark]

I am all up for waiting for the right lathe money is ready and waiting for the right one. It is good to have all your expert advice. As for moving I'll take the engine crane some metal bar and the Mrs horse box

just don't jump in head 1st for the 1st that comes along I have the myford lathe for 40 years and waited 4 years for a Harrison in good nick to come along real cheap just get something that hasn't had a hard life and don't buy a so called refurbished lathe that's had everything tightened up to get rid of noticeable wear and been painted

 

[brightspark]

looks to be no chucks with that Harrison. wouldn't bother with that neither

 

[123hotchef]

i am looking lol

 

[123hotchef]

looks to be no chucks with that Harrison. wouldn't bother with that neither

he said chucks ans some tooling with it but he has inverter running other lathe

 

[123hotchef]

How does this one compare

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Be a useful site for getting an idea of a machines plus and minus points.
http://www.lathes.co.uk

 

[brightspark]

your best going to see machines before buying. take someone along that can check it out for you if possible

 

[123hotchef]

your best going to see machines before buying. take someone along that can check it out for you if possible

i wish i knew someone with that knowledge

 

[123hotchef]

are these really a no no

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USED-Cla...e:g:GSMAAOSwHxxcbGK-:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

 

[123hotchef]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-M...=item3d841a4789:g:AQcAAOSwRKtccBjs:rk:12:pf:0

 

[Rannsachair]

Worth keeping an eye on https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/ classifieds - model makers often look after or lightly use lathes.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I had a Harrison that I picked up for £300 a few years ago that was sweet as a nut. I sold it eventually because I needed the cash, but id have one again in a heartbeat. Things that it had that you won't find on a myford are things like power feed on both axes that make a huge difference. The extra weight also means better finish. Any of the old british lathes in good nick would be preferable in my book.

 

[God mode restorations]

I don't think there such a thing as a beginner lathe. I think boxford are a good start size. Or myford. As with all or most second hand lathes be prepared to see a little wear and tear. And get one with as much tooling as possible.

 

[Richard.]

Just seen a myford localish View attachment 169565

Mine is near on identical to this.
A little ml10