What is a good beginer lathe

[slimjim]

A Boxford is a good starter lathe,

Don’t pay daft money, but bear in mind that they are a world apart from the Chinese mini lathes,

Buy as new as you can, and in as good a condition, as you can afford, with lots of tools, the tools are what make it cheap or expensive, in many cases,

it may mean sinking in a bit of cash, but a good boxford will retain its value, if its looked after,

I accept that you can buy bigger and better, but with a boxford, there’s nothing particularly complicated, or likely to be eyewarteringly expensive to repair,

If you want to look at videos, look at Doubleboosts early YouTube videos, before he changed to a Harrison 140

Of course I have a metric model A boxford, and I also accept that I would like something bigger.

 

[123hotchef]

I don't have 3 phase at home so I guess i would need a converter. Moving it i was planning on using the ifor horse trailer. I plan on clearing out the front of the garage to house the lathe. No rush I need to find the right one. I guess metric would be good for me too..

 

[Richard.]

metric would be good for me too..

If buying used, metric lathes ain’t that common really. But you can get a metric DRO and convert to metric thread cuttting with the 127 or 63 gearing. Gear boxes can be fitted with metric conversion kit things. I wouldn’t stress too much about trying to find a full metric lathe as stuff can be done easily

 

[123hotchef]

If buying used metric lathes ain’t that common really. But you can get a metric DRO and convert to metric thread cuttting with the 127 or 63 gearing. Gear boxes can be fitted with metric conversion kit things. I wouldn’t stress too much about trying to find a full metric lathe as stuff can be done easily

That is good to know every day is a school day

 

[Richard.]

That is good to know every day is a school day

My ml10 is full metric but I’ve fitted it with dro’s on the slides and got the gears for converting to imperial threads so it’s quite capable of working in both.

 

[123hotchef]

My ml10 is full metric but I’ve fitted it with dro’s on the slides and got the gears for converting to imperial threads so it’s quite capable of working in both.

i might need some lathe lessons!

 

[Richard.]

i might need some lathe lessons!

I’m not that guy. I’m still a beginner too.

 

[zx9]

This is not too far from you, http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/ I am not saying to go and buy something there cos they are top dollar but worth a look to see different lathes under the same roof, it will give you an idea of how small a ML7 is or how much room a Colchester will need.
Me, I am happy learning my way round the little old Drummond... for now.

 

[God mode restorations]

Hotchef. ..you can get stacks in that garage. Good clean out and by a big faffer

 

[123hotchef]

This is not too far from you, http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/ I am not saying to go and buy something there cos they are top dollar but worth a look to see different lathes under the same roof, it will give you an idea of how small a ML7 is or how much room a Colchester will need.
Me, I am happy learning my way round the little old Drummond... for now.

Cool I'll get down there this week and take a look around

 

[123hotchef]

Hotchef. ..you can get stacks in that garage. Good clean out and by a big faffer

Ha ha plenty of space well kinda what would you suggest

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Ha ha plenty of space well kinda what would you suggest

I'm biased as I own a smart and brown model L and M but I've had my eyes on one of these for a while.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smart-an...m=283392884339&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985

 

[God mode restorations]

Ha ha plenty of space well kinda what would you suggest

Only messing mate. You got lots of fantastic advice from the guys. Keep looking and the right one will come along.

 

[addjunkie]

Cool I'll get down there this week and take a look around

This is not too far from you, http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/ I am not saying to go and buy something there cos they are top dollar but worth a look to see different lathes under the same roof, it will give you an idea of how small a ML7 is or how much room a Colchester will need.
Me, I am happy learning my way round the little old Drummond... for now.

There is some nice stock on his list, a visit will let you touch and feel different machines. Well worth allocating plenty time, leave the Mrs at home, youd not want to be rushed.

 

[Pete.]

There is some nice stock on his list, a visit will let you touch and feel different machines. Well worth allocating plenty time, leave the Mrs at home, youd not want to be rushed.

Leave the credit card at home more like

 

[123hotchef]

Yes I will dive in one day when i finish work early for a good look around

 

[slimjim]

My ml10 is full metric but I’ve fitted it with dro’s on the slides and got the gears for converting to imperial threads so it’s quite capable of working in both.

I don't have 3 phase at home so I guess i would need a converter. Moving it i was planning on using the ifor horse trailer. I plan on clearing out the front of the garage to house the lathe. No rush I need to find the right one. I guess metric would be good for me too..

Mine is a metric lathe, with the gearbox,
And I mainly work on metric threads, but I wouldn’t care if it was the more common imperial, in fact for me it probably would have been better,

Because it would be worth buying the metric changeover gears, whereas I have avoided getting the imperial change over ones, because of the rarity of me doing imperial threads,

Of course a lathe that did both would be easier still, but that’s another story.

 

[Seadog]

Of course I have a metric model A boxford, and I also accept that I would like something bigger.

Totally agree. My problem is I can't get anything bigger through my house. Short of hiring a blooming great crane to lift one over the three neighbouring gardens it ain't going to happen

 

[dobbslc]

its a mine field! lol

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MYFORD-T...578788?hash=item23b66eeee4:g:KX4AAOSwXq5cavlp

Dam you!
Its near.
It a useful size.
And he has an RD500 YZR replica for sale!!!

 

[123hotchef]

Dam you!
Its near.
It a useful size.
And he has an RD500 YZR replica for sale!!!

go get it then! is it a good deal?