Which lathe?

[DTS]

looking to source a lathe for the unit, have 3 phase so no bother on size.

Need to be able to cut some small imperial threads, we’re taking 8-32 unc and the like. Possibly a collet instead of a Chuck?

Swing over centre not too important and no huge length required.

Thinking of a used Harrison or Colchester student? Budget around £3k.. much else worth a look?

 

[fizzy]

You can pick up a used Colchester or Harrison for far less than that! Dealers buy machines in cheap and add big mark ups.

Collect chucks are more accurate and repeatable.

This looks a bargain - £251 at the moment but will probably finish quite a bit higher - perhaps £800?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COLCHEST...180988?hash=item3d7e8d17fc:g:H8IAAOSwiOxcFho~

 

[Spark plug]

With the requirements you describe, I would be looking for a Harrison M300.

The Colchester student is a heavier machine but they feel very cramped in use compared to the Harrison, also the Harrison has a wider speed range, marketing it more useful for small work.

 

[Seadog]

To add a much sung mantra - Make sure it has steadies, a face plate, 3 and 4 jaw chuck. You may think you'll only be screw cutting with it but we all know, at least those of us with lathes do, that sooner or later you'll need them.

 

[pressbrake1]

These days condition is everything so keep all machines in mind as there’s not much out there that isn’t clapped out

 

[merryman]

I learnt how to use a lathe on a Colchester, and now have a Harrison, both good small(ish) lathes. However no commercial machine shop would dream of cutting standard threads using the screwcutting side, split dies, or for production, Coventry, or thread rolling, every time.

 

[MBB]

Colchester Chipmaster with inverter drive, very quiet and very accurate look on
lathes below.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/chipmaster/

 

[500e]

There is a few £ worth of QC tool holders with it As @fizzy says £800 closer to mark as long as it is not shot in the bed or cross slide.
Would be interested if I did not have 4 all ready

 

[pressbrake1]

Colchester Chipmaster with inverter drive, very quiet and very accurate look on
lathes below.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/chipmaster/

Best quality lathe Colchester made
I had one, a proper tool room machine

 

[frank horton]

have a Student square top 6"......bloody marvelous....... should end up at around £1600...........
I bought mine with damaged electrics (3phase) £950.......
know nothing about the Harrison......

 

[bigegg]

don't forget to add transport costs...

 

[MBB]

You Just missed a Kerry on here ,

 

[Robbie260]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COLCHEST...-240-volt-single-phase-electric-/123581614115

Heres a chipmaster for sale though they guys having a laugh for the condition its in. Maybe could be persuaded to come down in price.

 

[addjunkie]

A good myford super 7 would do what you want, if its all small stuff, and with 3 k you could get a cracking good one with all the bits, not some worn out dreamers rejects. im not a myford fan but for small stuff they are great. Bede tools in jarrow are advertising a good example, thatll be that sort of money.

If size isnt an issue and 3 k, be patient, no rush a good machine will come up. Becareful there is a fair bit of worn out rubbish out there, ( just because its painted doesnt mean its refurbished) make sure you get all the change gears, or know they are available. The bits increase the value, the bits are often hard to get, and can make lathe owneship a pleasure or a pain. Nothing worse than trying to screw cut a speacial thread and finding your machine cant do it.

 

[grim_d]

) make sure you get all the change gears, or know they are available. The bits increase the value, the bits are often hard to get, and can make lathe owneship a pleasure or a pain.

This is sound advice, my lathe was £750. In order to cut metric threads I need a 127T gear.

So I bought...

A milling machine - £825
A universal dividing head - £600
A set of gear cutters - £60
Built a foundry to cast a blank - £90.......

Still haven't made the bloody gear...

 

[fizzy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COLCHEST...-240-volt-single-phase-electric-/123581614115

Heres a chipmaster for sale though they guys having a laugh for the condition its in. Maybe could be persuaded to come down in price.

Why do people think they can keep a lathe in a field with no grease or oil on it and get full price?
Saw a DSG on EBay other day outside with very heavy rust. Bloke wanted 3k! I sent him s few messages just to wind him up. Wouldn't budge on price . What do these idiots expect?

 

[Robbie260]

A good myford super 7 would do what you want, if its all small stuff, and with 3 k you could get a cracking good one with all the bits, not some worn out dreamers rejects. im not a myford fan but for small stuff they are great. Bede tools in jarrow are advertising a good example, thatll be that sort of money.

If size isnt an issue and 3 k, be patient, no rush a good machine will come up. Becareful there is a fair bit of worn out rubbish out there, ( just because its painted doesnt mean its refurbished) make sure you get all the change gears, or know they are available. The bits increase the value, the bits are often hard to get, and can make lathe owneship a pleasure or a pain. Nothing worse than trying to screw cut a speacial thread and finding your machine cant do it.

https://www.myford.co.uk/acatalog/Used-Lathes.html

Could go with one of these they even sell brand new ones but i shudder to think what they cost. Possibly for the refurbished ones well worth it for the peace of mind if you want a super 7 but arent the most informed about lathes.

 

[Robbie260]

Why do people think they can keep a lathe in a field with no grease or oil on it and get full price?
Saw a DSG on EBay other day outside with very heavy rust. Bloke wanted 3k! I sent him s few messages just to wind him up. Wouldn't budge on price . What do these idiots expect?

I think some will be asking for the moon next.

 

[fizzy]

I think some will be asking for the moon next.

Sorry wasnt a DSG

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-lathe/303014591192?hash=item468d13bad8:g:79MAAOSw5UFcBmrc:rk:8:pf:0

Bargain starting bid only 3k - be quick about to end................

 

[Dieselman 63]

Sorry wasnt a DSG

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-lathe/303014591192?hash=item468d13bad8:g:79MAAOSw5UFcBmrc:rk:8:pf:0

Bargain starting bid only 3k - be quick about to end................

There was a DSG here a few weeks ago with a newall dro went for $1500, for the sole reason it was massive I think.

G and M have a gorgeous Bantam 2000 in immaculate condition atm, bit higher than your budget though

http://www.gandmtools.co.uk/shop/colchester-bantam-2000-centre-lathe-3ph-80206990/

Alternatively you could get this Myford tri-leva and a Tom Senior and still have change

http://www.gandmtools.co.uk/shop/myford-ml7-trileva-bench-lathe-1ph-80207181/

http://www.gandmtools.co.uk/shop/tom-senior-m1-verticalhorizontal-milling-machine-1ph-80207180/