Buying a Lathe

[GeorgiePorgie]

Ah, BS....a treadmill for hamsters.

 

[garethp]

They are toys because it takes an eternity to do something menial. Ok for people with lots of time on their hands. It may do the job mostly sub 14mm dia stuff measured in hours that a more robust can do in mins, thats the scenario.
Plus small hole through headstock.

Toy? It depends on what you want to turn - whats the point in getting a large industrial lathe for turning small parts?

 

[Pete.]

turning a small part on a large lathe is usually easier than turning a large part on a small one. Both have limitations but the small lathe would mee them first.

The OP clearly isn't looking for an industrial lathe, but there's much better out there than both what's in his first post link and a Myford.

 

[hareng]

Toy? It depends on what you want to turn - whats the point in getting a large industrial lathe for turning small parts?

You can do exactly the same on a large lathe as a small lathe, thats the reason plus it dont take an eternity.
I used to have a modded ML7 for 8 years.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

You can do exactly the same on a large lathe as a small lathe, thats the reason plus it dont take an eternity.

I think you're missing an important issue here,Hareng....that being space,I mean sure if I and the OP had the space we probably would go for the big daddys of lathes but we can't so small parts,small lathes.

 

[brightspark]

and large parts small lathe yet another belt sander made on a toy myford lathe before i bought another 2 and have acess to a verry large machine. these were made 35 years ago before most machines were available to individuals

 

[Wedg1e]

Careful there Sparks, you're making yourself sound old...

35 years ago I was... er... oo 'eck, just about to become a teenager

 

[brightspark]

Careful there Sparks, you're making yourself sound old...

35 years ago I was... er... oo 'eck, just about to become a teenager

lol im 56 i tell the customers im 48 give em the patter and they fall 4 it

 

[s410man]

back to the op

i would say buy something sh from a well known brand such as myford rather than a new clakre

go for the biggest machine you can fit in as you will always want more capacity

take someone with you who knows about lathes if buying sh to to check for excessive play or warp

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

2"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ9rWm777MU&feature=related

3"
Who says the Mini-Lathe is a toy? only drawback on a Min-Lathe is the spindle bore diameter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xAhUeqE0vA&feature=related

These cuts are big,nust be at least 7mm or 8mm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vShWp-PLuU&feature=endscreen&NR=1

 

[brightspark]

bonus cuts thats shocking i wouldnt lower myself to even show that . the strain and the chatter on the machine i think he needs to read up on speed and feeds as well as depth of cut .anyone fancy buying it of him it might sell on ebay listed as in good condition

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

the strain and the chatter on the machine

Yes sir....twas the same for me when I first got the lathe and tried to take big chunks out of the steel bar....it grunted and chattered somthing chronic till it blew its fuse almost instantly and I spoke in the words of a china man...Fu Kin El

 

[the artfull-codger]

You can do exactly the same on a large lathe as a small lathe, thats the reason plus it dont take an eternity.
I used to have a modded ML7 for 8 years.

Not strictly true hareng,I have ''myford super7 toy'' & I turn injector parts & feed pump parts on it,I also have a mitchell 14" centre height,4ft between centres & 3" down the barrel,& I would not even attempt to turn small parts like that on it,it's too large & clumsy, it's horses for courses,anything in between I turn on the colchester, they're all good lathes for what they're intended for & they all get used depending on what I'm making ,but to call myford a ''toy'' well I know friends who meke a lot of money on a ''myford toy''
slan go fol

ps I suppose all tools are ''toys'' to us!!

 

[RichardM]

Hi, been awhile since I last posted.

I have been looking at small lathes lately, just to learn mostly and do the odd project.

Found this one on Ebay earlier http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMA210VG-...erTools_SM&hash=item53eaecb4be#ht_1438wt_1041

could you tell me if its a sound investment.

I can't really have a big lathe as i have a small shed.

Thanks!

I would look at the space you have, and what would fit it, what you want to make and the versatility of the lathe you are thinking of buying.

If you put a vertical slide on it will you be able to mill in it? A gap bed will be an advantage if you need to turn larger diameters.
Myfords are very good if you only have room for one tool and your requirements are within their capabilities. You can fit a vertical slide in them and mill. Production lathes they are not and were not intended as such.
If you also have room for a milling machine as well get a bigger lathe. Boxfords (4 1/2 and 5")are good and cheaper than Myfords. Not as good if used as a milling machine as the front of the saddle will lift in certain cuts but that can be overcome with a bit of planning and thought

With your budget I would look for a good second-hand one that will probably have the same re-sale value over time as you paid for it. Usually you will get the tools thrown in as well if someone is giving up model engineering.

 

[robwizard]

In work we use Colchester lathes. I was gonna buy a myford or something similar but I could get an old student for about the same price so I will probably do that instead.. I appreciate that some larger machines may be clumsy, but I would lean more towards the "Big lathe little parts no problem, little lathe big parts sucks" argument.

If I had the money I would buy a Colchester triumph, It is badddasssssssssss!

 

[davidsuffolk]

Nah,not having that...they're not toys but as I stated they were made for the modelling fraternity and not a lathe for heavy work.

They work fine if they're upgrade to some changes.

Go to to say I agree. I had a Myford and it was "OK" but on changing to an Emco Maximat with its geared speed changes, powered feeds and large swing I was a convert to bigger high quality machines especially as I sold the Myford for £1250 and only paid £2000 for a nearly new Emco. You can make little things on a big machine but not easily the other way around.
Personally I think Myfords were overpriced perhaps because they relied on a name and were small enough for small workshops?

 

[hareng]

This is what i am getting at for a very similar size!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boxford-C...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item35b8e894b5
For small work and training something like this that will hold its price. More importantly its a lot more robust, wish i went that route instead of an ML7 modded over two decades ago.

I did just get rid of one of those 7x12, originally bought new 6 yrs ago for late night and portable use. It was never used, still had the grease on. By the way that vid top whack 2.5mm cut which seems 10 times better than the norm as all can be easilly stopped with your finger and thumb.

 

[MattF]

Personally I think Myfords were overpriced perhaps because they relied on a name and were small enough for small workshops?

They always seem to go for silly money, IMHO. Take the Drummond B type and the Myford M type as an example. Like for like match, for all intent and purpose, yet the Myford's always seem to command more money on the second hand market, even though that particular model was the offspring of the Drummond. The name can make all the difference, regardless of reality, where price and desirability is concerned.

With regards to the O.P, whatever fits your available space and is capable of meeting your needs will do what you ask.