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Author Topic: Recommend me a good lathe?  (Read 3527 times)

adamD98

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Recommend me a good lathe?
« on: December 07, 2015, 06:55:21 pm »

Hi all,


 It's come to the point where I really do need to start making my own fittings etc, and I'm after a new lathe. My last one was a cheap and cheerful thing but it failed years ago.
 
 Now, here's the thing, it needs to be at a relatively low cost but still capable of doing what I need etc.


Can anyone help? Many thanks in advance of course.
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-Adam-

Crossie

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2015, 08:01:45 pm »

  Well Adam it really depends on how big you want to make things and how much space you've got for the machine! You can buy small Boxford for very little money compared to what you can do with one, far more useful and better value than a Myford which tend to be quite expensive, and all else being equal you will always get a better finish on a bigger/heavier machine. Have a look at these sites http://www.lathes.co.uk/ and http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/ which might give you some ideas. I know nothing about the lightweight model making type lathe but I expect others will be able to advise you,

                                          Trevor
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boneash

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2015, 10:08:51 pm »

The Axminster range of products are well suited to model making and a bit more when friends ask for bits to be made !!

http://www.axminster.co.uk/machinery/lathes/filter/axminster-model-engineer-series?price=-800

Rod
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adamD98

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2015, 11:27:28 pm »

Thanks Trevor and Rod, much appreciated.

 I'm only after making relatively small fittings, such as brass bollards, winch drums etc
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Jerry C

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2015, 12:27:11 am »

Adam, some thoughts for you to ponder.
You can make small things on a big lathe but you can't make big things on a small lathe.

You will need to spend at least as much as you pay for a lathe for all the tools and add-ons that you will need to make it work. eg, chucks, collets, centres, tools, milling attachments, ball turning tool, micrometers, digital calipers, taps and die sets, reamers, centre drills ad infinitum.

In addition to the lathes already mentioned have a look at the American Taig (known as a Peatol in uk). If you find a little used one with all the add-ons you may get one for around £300. It's possible to make any of the Stuart marine steam engines (with a fair amount of ingenuity) with one of these. Quite portable, takes up little room. The only problem with it is that it is imperial not metric but using a digital calliper/micrometer with an imperial/metric change over button gets around this.
Jerry. You

adamD98

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2015, 01:43:09 am »

Thanks Jerry, much appreciated.


 Has anyone had any experience with proxxon?
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derekwarner

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2015, 05:36:25 am »

So Adam asks.......'Has anyone had any experience with proxxon?'

I think the answer would be near universally YES  :-)).....that PD400 lathe looks just beautiful :kiss: + one of each of the optional attachments  :P too good to miss

Just watch out for the overdraft payments when you re-mortage your house to buy their equipment ..... Derek
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sparkey

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2015, 06:52:59 am »

 :-)) I have a Warco 240 which I have had for some years,does everything I want to do and I have made a couple of steam engines with it,I also have a milling machine by the same company,so you pays your money and takes your choice.........Ray. :-))   
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david48

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2015, 09:22:34 am »

Hi Adam
If you are not in a rush to buy the lathe why do you not wait , until Harrogate model engineering show and you will see a fair selection and there might be show deals , just a thought .
David
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adamD98

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2015, 03:30:40 pm »

Well again, thanks for the advice here chaps.


 Something small to medium is the idea, and I've  been mulling over a few, one of which is the PROXXON FD 150/E ?
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boatmadman

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2015, 08:47:20 pm »

I have had a Peatol for years and I love it.
It can do a wide range of stuff and is consistently accurate.  I started using it for fittings and have since used it to make a dividing head, cut gears, machined 4 steam engines two of which are two cylinder piston valve engines. At the moment I am nearing completion of a flat four engine using the peatol and Mill.
I would recommend it to anyone!
Ian
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Jerry C

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Re: Recommend me a good lathe?
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2015, 12:11:28 am »

I have to agree with Ian. Much better than its size suggests. I've made two bog standard engines and a reverse flue 4.25" diameter scotch boiler with the lathe and milling attachment, not the full mill. Would have mentioned it before but I have no other lathe  to compare it to.
Jerry.
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