Forum

[PeteF]

My research so far has found out that they are all Sieg - BUT there are Siegs and Siegs it seems. Those supplied by Chester tools and Warco seem to be the best of the bunch. No, sadly, there's no room on the floor without getting rid of precious machinery and SWMBO has vetoed any more sheds.
It would seem that reasonable results can be had if you work slowly and don't go to the limits of these machine. Also, you need to spend a bit more time keeping the thing set up properly. I am quite experienced in wood turning (yes, I know, not the same thing at all but it does give me an idea about how to maintain accuracy etc)

My budget has already been stretched to the top end of the mini lathes but won't go any further. The only friend I have with a lathe only has something worse than I am planning so that doesn't get us any further. I can't see me wanting to make "precision" components, and the fact that a "lifelong model engineer" has one in the shop at all says something. I know it's a compromise but I think I'll go for it.

[PeteF]

This is the one I've been considering.
http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-lathes-met ... lathe.html

[simon]

It's not so often that you get the chance to say the old chestnut that British is Best without ironic intent but when it comes to small lathes and even big ones for that matter it is true. My Myford is an early one from around 1949-50 but it is still perfect. There isn't a piece on it that isn't nice to use and I paid $3000NZD for it happily (admittedly with some nice additional goodies such as a dividing head, vertical slides, tapper turning attachments and the like). If you are after a metric lathe I wouldn't get a Myford. They made one but it is a bit of an orphan and still has an imperial lead screw. Working in thou though the Myford is a tool to be enjoyed and passed on as unless you are a ham fisted sort it should last a lifetime.

[Dennis C]

Hi Pete

I have one and like all these Chinese lathes the basic design is very good and let down by being badly assembled and set up.

I beleive Warco have a service where they will strip and rebuild the lathe to correct tolerance or that may be Arc Euro Trade I forget now as I have had mine for a few years, check around the different suppliers as all the lathes come from the same factory and are basically good but the price varies a lot I got one of these from this ebay seller who gives excellent service and can supply all the spares if you need any.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amadeal-7x14- ... 2ecbb52f6e

I have used mine to make a wide variety of parts including two obsolete valve guides a litte end bush and a timing side crankshaft bush it also cuts threads with no problem.

I have modified it slightly by fitting taper roller headstock bearings and brass gibs but otherwise it is as bought just stripped and set up, they are probably assembled in China by unskilled labour.

If you still have my number feel free to give me a ring and if you want to call round and have a try with my lathe to see if it suits you.

[PeteF]

Thanks Dennis,
I did look at Warco because the do set them up properly and give you a certificate of accuracy. They also don't seem to be any dearer than elsewhere.
I've also decided (if I do go ahead) to get a better one than I originally though of because it comes with a 4 jaw chuck (as well as a three jaw) and has offset ability on the tailstock as well as taper roller bearings. They also throw in travelling and fixed steadies. It also has metric and imperial threading ability.
If you can manage things like accurate bushes and valve guides it says to me that these machines are OK. I know they're not going to last 60 years - but then, neither am I.
This is the one I've narrowed down to.

[Dennis C]

Hi Pete yes that looks a great machine and Warco are a very good company to deal with, just one thing I picked up looking at the description it states metric and imperial thread cutting but on the order section it cives a choice either metric or imperial which is the same on mine but I ordered mine as metric and bought the imperial lead screw so I can cut either thread by changing it, about a 10 minute job, so you will probably need to do the same but a call to Warco will confirm that.

[Gwilly]

Pete and Dennis, thanks for bringing this to the forum.. Machine Mart catalogue arrived yesterday and once again have been looking at getting a lathe..

I look at all the specs and just get confused," will look at it later" and another year goes past…
Like you Pete a Myford would be wonderful but i really can't justify the space and thousand quid for anything half decent.. Most stuff i've had turned by a pal are spacers of less than 30mm diameter and a steering head crown nut made in stainless…

Don't think i shall be skimming brake drums anytime soon so these bench top models look the business to me…

Am still confused with spec though, for instance Dennis your machine looks very similar to Petes but why is the Warco nearly twice the weight at 70kg (150lb) as apposed to 40ish kg.
Most seem fitted with nylon or plastic gears.. Is the Warco's made of metal hense heavier?

Guess the bench will have to be strengthened sufficient, Thanks for the heads up, something to think about...

[PeteF]

Gwilly, twice the weight and getting on for twice the price as well. There will be more cast iron in the heavier one as well as some extra features which all adds to the weight. There is no substitute for cast iron as it makes the machine rigid. More rigidity means more accuracy which is, of course, very important. That's why I would have a myford if I had the space, as it would be much more rigid.

[PeteF]

Gwilly, twice the weight and getting on for twice the price as well. There will be more cast iron in the heavier one as well as some extra features which all adds to the weight. There is no substitute for cast iron as it makes the machine rigid. More rigidity means more accuracy which is, of course, very important. That's why I would have a myford if I had the space, as it would be much more rigid.

[Dennis C]

Twice the weight twice the price and TWICE THE POSTING.

To be serious as Pete says more cast iron more rigidity, but to be fair the only thing that caused any problem on mine was the ball races to the headstock causing chattering on the tool in some instances, this was cured by fitting taper rollers at a cost of less then £10.00 and a couple of hours work, the information on how to do it is available on the internet,anyone who can work on an Enfield with confidence can do the job.

As said in an earlier post I can carry out work on this lathe to a very high standard of accuracy, to around .0001 of an inch in fact, its just a case of stripping the lathe and reassembling it accurately which I did and it took about 4-5 hours and well worth the time spent. Regardless of who sells the lathe they all come from the same Chinese factory assembled by the same unskilled workers and will need this to be done if you want an accurate tool. I spent months reserching before I bought one and everyone seems to be of the same opinion which made me look for the best price from a good supplier. O and by the way the tailstock on these does have adjustable offset.