What lathe to look for

[BrokenBiker]

Not looking to buy just yet, but looking for recommendations so I can gauge size for lay out of other things in the shed. Slowly bringing all my main kit in and now it's just lathe and press left for the time being, but the lathe poses a problem.

I bought an 18x35 Chinese mini lathe a few years ago in a rush to get some bushes and linkages made for a spec lift I should never have taken on. It's been in storage since the garage fire and now I have space in the shed for it, but to be honest it's a bit small and underpowered so now thinking of replacing it with something a bit bigger, bit more powerful and a bit more accurate. It's been handy for making small parts like bushes for my boys bikes, the odd bolt modification and occasionally a fitting that can't be found anymore but my boy wants to start a few more projects and a better lathe would be much better.

Current lathe specs are:

350mm between centres (substantially less with a chuck fitted)
18mm spindle bore
Mt3 spindle
Mt2 tailstock
180mm swing over bed
500w motor
Speed adjusted with a knob


Ideally, I'd like maybe 500mm between centres, bit more over the bed and maybe a larger spindle bore, mt3 tailstock would be nice.

I'm not too bothered about it being pulley driven and having to change belts for speeds etc but more power would be nice.

Apart from that, must be metric, screw cutting and single phase.

Any ideas on what to look for?

If all else fails I may look at the larger version of what I have and spend the time converting it to taper bearings and better tool post etc but that's an expensive and time consuming way to still only have a barely adequate lathe imo

 

[northwest]

Don't be getting rid of it in any event, always have two (or more) lathes if possible, the second you set something up, you will need it for something else and it is always a PITA. I spend time getting stuff set up in the four jaw so it is absolutely spot on and it always grieves me when I have to break it down for something else.

As for a "new" lathe, top of everyone's list, or so it seems, is the venerable Harrison M300 and if you go down this route always get the serial number and give it to the young lady at the 500 group who will look it up for you and if possible will give you the lathe's history. The serial can always be found at the extreme end of the bed stamped in at the front.

Colchester Chipmaster is another good shout, personally I would like a new Master or Harrison 450 but that will not happen anytime soon, make sure you have enough power to fire it up.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Don't be getting rid of it in any event, always have two (or more) lathes if possible, the second you set something up, you will need it for something else and it is always a PITA. I spend time getting stuff set up in the four jaw so it is absolutely spot on and it always grieves me when I have to break it down for something else.

As for a "new" lathe, top of everyone's list, or so it seems, is the venerable Harrison M300 and if you go down this route always get the serial number and give it to the young lady at the 500 group who will look it up for you and if possible will give you the lathe's history. The serial can always be found at the extreme end of the bed stamped in at the front.

Colchester Chipmaster is another good shout, personally I would like a new Master or Harrison 450 but that will not happen anytime soon, make sure you have enough power to fire it up.

Cheers for that.

I wouldn't get rid of the mini lathe, however it would most likely stay in its box in storage as I haven't got space for 2. Will look into the 300 though, cheers

 

[northwest]

If all else fails I may look at the larger version of what I have and spend the time converting it to taper bearings and better tool post etc but that's an expensive and time consuming way to still only h

It's a waste of money is what it is and don't get hung up on single phase, a decent inverter that will last five minutes or five years can be had for less than £100 and ALL my kit is three phase, even the bench grinder. Wouldn't have single phase.

 

[BrokenBiker]

As a slight detour...what would be involved in making an imperial lathe cut metric threads?

I could deal with meausrement dials being in imperial as I'd just buy a DRO for it, but screw cutting is something that I would want to do a reasonable amount of and it would be 90% metric threads.

I ask as I've just seen a good priced myford super 7 that isn't a million miles away and comes with a fair bit in the way of tooling and chucks

I've only ever used metric lathes, learnt how to turn on a tool room hardinge with a DRO, then moved onto a bigger hardinge with metric dials, then my mini lathe that is also metric so screw cutting has never been a concern

 

[Barking Mat]

What lathe to buy ?

One you can afford, one you can move, and not too far away.

That was my criteria.

 

[BrokenBiker]

What lathe to buy ?

One you can afford, one you can move, and not too far away.

That was my criteria.

View attachment 495148

The goalposts are moving towards the latter 2 now...affording one isn't an issue...getting one onto the property is even less of an issue i will just borrow a hiab from work for a Saturday...getting it across the garden and Into the shed may be tricky, but I'm sure I can manage it...

Metric was a big selling point for me but now seeing the amount of decent condition lathes available, I'm wondering if metric really is a do or die criteria...if I can cut metric threads, even keeping the half nut engaged, I'd be happy enough to overlook anything else in imperial

 

[iNf]

You can cut metric on an imperial lathe and vice versa, you just need the correct change gears and to keep the leadscrew engaged on the return.

 

[BrokenBiker]

You can cut metric on an imperial lathe and vice versa, you just need the correct change gears and to keep the leadscrew engaged on the return.

That's good to know, thanks

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

One you can afford, one you can move, and not too far away.

The one you can afford, in the best condition you can find and as big as you can physically move with hired/borrowed equipment and the assistance of friends or a long-suffering partner .

Whilst I am sure it happens, I have never known a hobbyist to say "I wish I had a smaller lathe".

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

That's good to know, thanks

This said, if you buy an imperial lathe and need to cut mostly metric threads (or vice versa), make sure it has a spindle brake... Else internal threads and threading up to a shoulder will be an absolute ****.

 

[BrokenBiker]

This said, if you buy an imperial lathe and need to cut mostly metric threads (or vice versa), make sure it has a spindle brake... Else internal threads and threading up to a shoulder will be an absolute ****.

I usually run the lathe in reverse with tool mounted at the read if I ever need to thread right up to a shoulder, that way the tool is moving away from the shoulder...either that or turn the chuck by hand for the last few turns

 

[addjunkie]

Small ish Boxford AUD
Harrison 140
Harrison M250 or M300
Colchester Student.
Colchester Bantam
Colchester Triumph


There are numerous suitable beasts. Its a question of research and understanding what you want…and the bits that come with it. A screw cutting gearbox is rather useful over just a selection of gear wheels. Condition is key!

 

[BrokenBiker]

Small ish Boxford AUD
Harrison 140
Harrison M250 or M300
Colchester Student.
Colchester Bantam
Colchester Triumph


There are numerous suitable beasts. Its a question of research and understanding what you want…and the bits that come with it. A screw cutting gearbox is rather useful over just a selection of gear wheels. Condition is key!

There is a metric AUD on at the moment for good money with a fair few bits with it. Looks to be decent condition and can be seen running whichbi always find is a bonus. Few Colchester bantams about as well

 

[Agroshield]

In the opening post you say:

...to be honest it's a bit small and underpowered

and now you say:

I ask as I've just seen a good priced Myford Super 7

How is a Myford Super 7 an improvement on "small and underpowered"? It has lower specifications that your existing one.

 

[RobCox]

Else internal threads and threading up to a shoulder will be an absolute ****.

Nah. Use the threading dial. Open half nuts where you want the thread to stop and stop the motor at the same time. Reverse the lathe and re-engage on the same number. As long as the threading dial doesn't make a full revolution between engagements the synchronism is maintained.

Probably not the place for a beginner to threading to start, but once you get used to it, doesn't matter if your lathe has a metric or imperial leadscrew.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Nah. Use the threading dial. Open half nuts where you want the thread to stop and stop the motor at the same time. Reverse the lathe and re-engage on the same number. As long as the threading dial doesn't make a full revolution between engagements the synchronism is maintained.

Probably not the place for a beginner to threading to start, but once you get used to it, doesn't matter if your lathe has a metric or imperial leadscrew.

I will take your word for that, I still need to source the missing a timing gear for my thread indicator, so just leave the leadscrew engaged for all threading.

Admittedly, with spindle break, forward, and reverse all controlled by a single lever, it makes it very quick and painless.

How is a Myford Super 7 an improvement on "small and underpowered"? It has lower specifications that your existing one.

Notwithstanding my statement to buy the biggest lathe you can move with hired equipment...

Having spent many a happy hour using a particularly well preserved Super 7 in a shared workshop, and several less happy hours using a little Chinese mini lathe in the same workshop.

I feel I must defend the erstwhile Myford here as a definitive improvement on the mini-lathe.

The 0.75kw induction motor is a substantial upgrade over the tiny 0.25kW DC motor used in most Chinese mini-lathes, and once you consider the back-gear and 5-speed v-belt transmission, you get a lot more low-speed torque for threading or drilling large holes.

The bed and headstock castings are also much more rigid, and you can take advantage of this and upgrade the stock motor to around 2kW before it's getting too much for the machine.

Which if you get a 3-phase motor and VFD, can result in a wider range of speeds with better torque than the mini-lathe.

Plus having a physical clutch makes it a lot nicer to use, and I think late model Super 7's all have power sliding and surfacing feeds.



Would I buy Myford for myself? Absolutely not, only this morning I was saying to @zzr1200 that I would be looking for a nice DSG 17T, Lang A4, Holbrook or maybe something even bigger to supplement my "little" TOS when I move house...

But for someone who is constrained to a lathe that can be moved disassembled in a hatchback and manhandled into a small room between two or three people, the Myford is still an upgrade on the ubiquitous far eastern mini-lathe.

But not as good as a Myford 254, Boxford AUD, Raglan Little John, Weiler Primus, or Smart & Brown Model A... (All of which require better suspension springs in your hatchback, and more friends for the manhandling than a Super 7 would).

 

[indy4x]

@Jelly_Sheffield a Boxford can be dismantled and put in the back of a hatchback/estate. The base might be a little challenging but I shipped a Boxford AUD to Spain for a fellow forum member, dismantled it all fitted on a pallet

 

[redlig]

A word of warning ,when you do buy one please don't transport it home inside a Transit ,or the like , I just couldn't take the ensuing " HOW DO I GET IT OUT " discussions .

 

[BrokenBiker]

A word of warning ,when you do buy one please don't transport it home inside a Transit ,or the like , I just couldn't take the ensuing " HOW DO I GET IT OUT " discussions .

moving it isnt a problem...i have access to everything from hiab, mobile city cranes, full size mobile cranes, 8t truck mounts, spider cranes etc...boss is usually pretty happy to let operators borrow things when needed...wouldnt be the first time ive brought a crane home

In the opening post you say:



and now you say:



How is a Myford Super 7 an improvement on "small and underpowered"? It has lower specifications that your existing one.

having played with a myford, even breifly, i can assure you it is a massive improvement over the lathe i have...my lathe can be stalled trying to cut plastic below 300rpm...