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[paul1985]

Hi everybody
I am looking at a mini lathe I have looked at the Clarke 250 and 300
Does anybody have one of these with any comments on them
Or any advice or a good lathe to buy
Thanks
Paul

[pettyofficernick]

Hi there, I was in my local Machine Mart a couple of month ago and had a look at a 300, one thing that struck me was the amount of backlash on the cross slide, more than 6mm, I was able to push it back and forth by that amount. You will probably be best going to Arc Eurotrade, Chester Machine tools or Warco, who have basically the same machine at very similar prices, with the advantage that they are specialists in machine tools and prepare their products properly and issue an accuracy certificate, and offer a full spares and accessories service.
http://www.chestermachinetools.com/hobby-lathes-788-c.asp
http://www.warco.co.uk/2955-model-engineering-lathes
http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Lathes/Model-C3-Mini-Lathe/Model-Super-C3-Mini-Lathe

Regards,
Nick

[Hellboy Paul]

Hi Paul, I have had a Chester Conquest for about 3 years now & have had no issues or problems with it, a superb little machine for the price. It was set up, calibrated & delivered for less than £440.. (Delivery bound to be more expensive now) A couple of words of advice though, invest in some decent cutting tools, the ones supplied with the machine are not that good & check the tailstock alignment, could be knocked out of true during shipping (mine was)
http://www.chestermachinetools.com/conquest-lathe-3965-p.asp


Paul..

[paul1985]

Hello Paul


When looking at the Chester Conquest what does it mean by metric and imperial
[/size]Thank Paul

[Hellboy Paul]

That is the measurements on the cross slide hand wheels, mine is a metric one.


Paul.

[pettyofficernick]

Hi Paul, Metric means the dials are graduated in mm and fractions there fo, and imperial meand the dials are graduated in fractions of an inch (thousanths) The metric machine will cater for metric threads and the imperial imperial threads. What to get depends on what units you prefer to work in.....
Regards,
Nick.

[paul1985]

When you bought your lathe Paul did you buy any tools from them or did you
just buy your lathe and get your tools from somewhere else
I thought that was the case Nick Thank you
Thanks
Paul

[pettyofficernick]

I can personally recommend these tools from Chronos, very good value for money, they come with replaceable tips, each tip having 3 cutting edges, when one is worn, turn it round to the next one. The braised tip tools need will grinding at some point, and if you chip the carbide, you will have to either throw the tool away or get a new tip braised on. All of Chronos's range is good value, and prices include VAT and postage.

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Glanze_SCLCR_Indexable_Lathe_Tools.html

[Hellboy Paul]

Hi Paul I have similar cutting tools from RDG tools, a bit cheaper than the Glanze tools but they do the job OK..


The ones I have are here, second from the bottom with ref no 2414
http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Boring_Bars_Indexable_Sets.html


Paul.

[Nordlys]

Hello Paul,
 
While I do not own a lathe , unfortunately, I would never recommend anything
Clarke. You may save loads of money but you won't get anything approaching quality I have to say from experience with other products.
Myford would be my choice but that may not be 'mini' enough for you.
Nord....

[Circlip]

Of the three suppliers posted by PO Nick, Arc Euro give the best service (no connection). Both Chester and Warco are at present getting a right kicking on the ME forum due to lack of customer service. Most of the Chinese imports may need work to get them running correctly, there is a difference to turning metal and turning it accurately. Keep an eye on this site :- http://www.homeworkshop.org.uk/ for used equipment and DON'T be conned into "Myford snobbery".
 
  Whatever you pay for a lathe, allow the same costs again for tooling.
 
  Regards  Ian.
 
 
   If this ones still there, well worth a look :- http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,43373.0.html