What is a good beginer lathe

123hotchef · Feb 23, 2019

How about this one

Tinbasherdan · Feb 23, 2019

I started with a myford super 7, lovely machine but I quickly found I needed bigger as I was discovering jobs I never thought I’d have to do. Got my Kerry 11” out of a back garden and it’s a real machine, but now getting a Harrison 11” that’s in real nick and has a gap bed so just that little bit more useful

Richard. · Feb 23, 2019

my advice would be get one with a gear box.
50% of the stuff I use my lathe for requires a thread cut or 2.
Mine doesn’t have a gear box and it’s the only part of the lathe that really is a ball ache swapping gears about. I love the little ml10. It’s been amazing for doing everything I ask of it. It’s a model makers lathe but it’s capable of taking cuts if your prepared to take things easy with it.
Personally if you’ve got the spare space then I’d suggest go for something bigger but defo get a gear box. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

123hotchef · Feb 23, 2019

Richard. said:
my advice would be get one with a gear box.
50% of the stuff I use my lathe for requires a thread cut or 2.
Mine doesn’t have a gear box and it’s the only part of the lathe that really is a ball ache swapping gears about. I love the little ml10. It’s been amazing for doing everything I ask of it. It’s a model makers lathe but it’s capable of taking cuts if your prepared to take things easy with it.
Personally if you’ve got the spare space then I’d suggest go for something bigger but defo get a gear box. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

thanks ill keep looking no point in rushing and regretting it

gaz1 · Feb 23, 2019

Richard. said:
my advice would be get one with a gear box.
50% of the stuff I use my lathe for requires a thread cut or 2.
Mine doesn’t have a gear box and it’s the only part of the lathe that really is a ball ache swapping gears about. I love the little ml10. It’s been amazing for doing everything I ask of it. It’s a model makers lathe but it’s capable of taking cuts if your prepared to take things easy with it.
Personally if you’ve got the spare space then I’d suggest go for something bigger but defo get a gear box. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

yeah but you got yours at bargain price

people selling now think they have something yours can now be sold at a higher price as yours has all the gear

the price has now moved higher to buy them nowadays than then

bargains can still be gotten its just time to wait for them

Richard. · Feb 23, 2019

gaz1 said:
yeah but you got yours at bargain price

people selling now think they have something yours can now be sold at a higher price as yours has all the gear

the price has now moved higher to buy them nowadays than then

bargains can still be gotten its just time to wait for them

It was a good deal at time as I’ve not had to spend much on it .

123hotchef · Feb 23, 2019

Richard. said:
my advice would be get one with a gear box.
50% of the stuff I use my lathe for requires a thread cut or 2.
Mine doesn’t have a gear box and it’s the only part of the lathe that really is a ball ache swapping gears about. I love the little ml10. It’s been amazing for doing everything I ask of it. It’s a model makers lathe but it’s capable of taking cuts if your prepared to take things easy with it.
Personally if you’ve got the spare space then I’d suggest go for something bigger but defo get a gear box. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

what kind of gear box am i looking for?

Richard. · Feb 23, 2019

123hotchef said:
what kind of gear box am i looking for?

One you can change feed speeds with for thread cutting. A lot of lathes have boxes or can be added to with a box.

brightspark · Feb 23, 2019

Richard. said:
One you can change feed speeds with for thread cutting. A lot of lathes have boxes or can be added to with a box.

if you can find one that will fit . and if you can get one which is hardly likely it will be overpriced

gaz1 · Feb 23, 2019

this one is for a ml7 type so you can watch its price

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/myford-s...1:g:QAoAAOSwk~VccQv8:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

there is homemade ones

http://www.hemingwaykits.com/acatalog/_Archibald__Screwcutting_Gearbox___ML10.html

or you can copy my external one

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/myford-ml7-homemade-gearbox.56156/#post-1098949

123hotchef · Feb 23, 2019

I like this one

123hotchef · Feb 23, 2019

Or the bantam

God mode restorations · Feb 24, 2019

I would personally stay clear of Colchester .not that they are a bad machine. Parts are ridiculous price . And topped with the dreaded 600 group bearings that you definitely don't want to replace. Although I have two mk1 students . Parts are getting harder to obtain .

Lazurus · Feb 24, 2019

I can remember the old Colchester factory, our little gang used to spend hours in the huge yard, went back to Colchester a few weeks ago for family visit, didn't recognize the town any longer - think I will stick to the Norfolk BROADS

123hotchef · Feb 24, 2019

spencer 427 said:
I would personally stay clear of Colchester .not that they are a bad machine. Parts are ridiculous price . And topped with the dreaded 600 group bearings that you definitely don't want to replace. Although I have two mk1 students . Parts are getting harder to obtain .

thanks all good to know

northwest · Feb 24, 2019

spencer 427 said:
I would personally stay clear of Colchester .not that they are a bad machine. Parts are ridiculous price . And topped with the dreaded 600 group bearings that you definitely don't want to replace. Although I have two mk1 students . Parts are getting harder to obtain .

Hi and please don't think I am trolling.
The 600 group also make the Harrison line and they too use the Gamet Super precision spindle bearings. Yes, they are expensive to replace but they are also designed to run hundreds of thousands of hours in a production environment so if they are running fine they are likely to continue.
The trick is, lacking X-Ray vision, is to know whether or not they are in good condition, this is why it is really desirable to see and hear the machine running before purchase. Or buy from a reputable supplier (they do exist!).

Bit of a contradiction in terms here, do not go out and buy the first one that comes along but conversely when a good machine makes an appearance do not hesitate as it won't last long. Be aware, the machines that hang about usually "have issues". Steer clear of them.

123hotchef · Feb 24, 2019

its a mine field! lol

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

Brad93 · Feb 24, 2019

123hotchef said:
its a mine field! lol

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

That’s an awesome bit of kit. More swing than my harrison!

Richard. · Feb 24, 2019

Brad93 said:
That’s an awesome bit of kit. More swing than my harrison!

No where near as capable as your Harrison though mate. Yours will be far more of a solid machine than the Myford

addjunkie · Feb 24, 2019

123hotchef said:
its a mine field! lol

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

Youve now learnt a big lesson, it is a mine field, there is no right and wrong answer

Right stop until you decide

Total budget to have machine at your house running with required bits and bobs, ie 3 and 4 jaw chuck at a minimum.

What is the biggest thing you will want to machine, Ive have full ifor williams trailer axles in mine for example. Consider both length and diameter.

How do you want to power it single phase, 3 phase, vfd, phase convertor etc. This effects pricing.

Can you move big machine to the location, steps, gravel pathes, all beatable but add hassel. Is your door wide enough to get it in?

Buying a lathe project would probably spoil your lathe use learning experience.

What is a good beginer lathe

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