- Thread starter BIGROG
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I still favor colchesters over em all, proper metric imperial thread cutting, with only one gear change, tumble reverse, good top end speeds even on the older models and an ample gap across the range for a decent swing, they could just do with a few more GGs would be my only chritsism......
jugs
Dont wish to offend & annoy, but...
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I like my Colchester chipmaster but love my S&B ‘A’ ,it’s so accurate. But the nicest medium size lathe IMO is a DSG, solid well laid out, a joy to work, wish I had one. (mrs jugs thinks I've got too many machines already ).
Don’t need to do much big stuff now, so my Herbert or Wilson can take care of that. Biggest thing I’ve turned this week is some 8mm x 40mm pins, (on a Britan).Biggest lathe I ever worked was a 15 ft x 60 ft Crawford / Swift, I think max speed was about 3rpm. It had 2 saddles and 4 toolposts. The tailstock had something like a 10 horse motor just to slide it up and down the bed. A bit of a monster.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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- 7,586
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- Stone Mountain, GA USA
OMG, just got back.
Lathe is pristine, dripping with oil. No visible wear, no rust, gears look new.
6" 3 jaw chuck, 6" 4-jaw chuck (may be 8"), milling attachment. Quick-change post with half a dozen toolholders including a knurling tool.
Steady rest, 5/8" drill chuck, several dead centers (MT2/3), lathe dog, face plate, stand, ball turning attachment, a complete set of gears.
A complete set of original manuals and receipts (probably 1935), Atlas lathe tutorial book, home made stand, Collette adapter with half a dozen collets. Original pulley and replacement.
Then there is a big toolbox full of stuff that I''ll spend a year figuring out what all the stuff is.
I think one of the first things will be to turn a new spindle for my crappy Dunlap and sell it.
I'm stoked. Now I just need to find some neighbors to help unload this thing
Lathe is pristine, dripping with oil. No visible wear, no rust, gears look new.
6" 3 jaw chuck, 6" 4-jaw chuck (may be 8"), milling attachment. Quick-change post with half a dozen toolholders including a knurling tool.
Steady rest, 5/8" drill chuck, several dead centers (MT2/3), lathe dog, face plate, stand, ball turning attachment, a complete set of gears.
A complete set of original manuals and receipts (probably 1935), Atlas lathe tutorial book, home made stand, Collette adapter with half a dozen collets. Original pulley and replacement.
Then there is a big toolbox full of stuff that I''ll spend a year figuring out what all the stuff is.
I think one of the first things will be to turn a new spindle for my crappy Dunlap and sell it.
I'm stoked. Now I just need to find some neighbors to help unload this thing
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
- Messages
- 7,586
- Location
- Stone Mountain, GA USA
I figure the two chucks alone are worth what I paid 
Will take some pics, maybe start another thread rather than take over this one.
Jeez, now found an unbelievable deal on a 5x8' enclosed trailer. I NEED TO STAY OFF CRAIGS LIST
Edit: Here's the new thread on my lathe.
Will take some pics, maybe start another thread rather than take over this one.
Jeez, now found an unbelievable deal on a 5x8' enclosed trailer. I NEED TO STAY OFF CRAIGS LIST
Edit: Here's the new thread on my lathe.
Last edited:
Personally i would never buy another lathe where i had to change the change wheels to alter the traverse or screw cutting pitch.
One major reason i like the bigger Colchesters imp or metric lever and dial in the pitch via two more knobs or levers.
My own Harrison i have to change when wanting an imperial pitch thread and metric when over 3mm pitch.
In a different league http://www.chesteruk.net/store/craftsman.htm
That type of power feed selection, gearbox if you like can be a right pain on some to engage one lever yet alone two.
Also dont like the idea of threading without a clutch though some of the asian mediocre and above do have a foot brake fitted, otherwise its just an on/off switch.
One major reason i like the bigger Colchesters imp or metric lever and dial in the pitch via two more knobs or levers.
My own Harrison i have to change when wanting an imperial pitch thread and metric when over 3mm pitch.
In a different league http://www.chesteruk.net/store/craftsman.htm
That type of power feed selection, gearbox if you like can be a right pain on some to engage one lever yet alone two.
Also dont like the idea of threading without a clutch though some of the asian mediocre and above do have a foot brake fitted, otherwise its just an on/off switch.
Wedg1e
They call me Mr. Bodge-angles
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- 7,735
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- Teesside, England
I have to make do with a Boxford 500VSL. I was watching a Colchester on Apex auctions site t'other week but I forgot about it and it went for a shade over £400. Also missed a granite surface plate (£20) when I got called out on a job... 
- Messages
- 6,332
I like my Colchester chipmaster but love my S&B ‘A’ ,it’s so accurate. But the nicest medium size lathe IMO is a DSG, solid well laid out, a joy to work, wish I had one. (mrs jugs thinks I've got too many machines already ).
Biggest lathe I ever worked was a 15 ft x 60 ft Crawford / Swift, I think max speed was about 3rpm. It had 2 saddles and 4 toolposts. The tailstock had something like a 10 horse motor just to slide it up and down the bed. A bit of a monster.
what Herbie have you got, I run a 9A and a 7, not much the 9 cant handle.....
Couldn't agree more herang, dead handy having the metric imperial change handle, also It saves a million cock ups having no change wheals to get wrong, select the pitch or, TPI and off you go.....
jugs
Dont wish to offend & annoy, but...
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- 1,449
I admire a man with a big one.
I've only got a 2A and a 4, and they don't get much use at the moment.
BIGROG
Happy Days!
- Messages
- 44
Well guys, picked up the ML7 yesterday and so far... well impressed. it seems well used but no major wear but it does need the belts changing, one of the drip oilers is broken and it has no chuck for the tailstop. I am going to have to do something about the stand/cabinet too, it's a homemade one and far from nice to look at but at the end of the day, for the price (£430) with all the extras that came with it, I think I have done well. Tomorrow I am off to the Motorcycle show at the NEC with a mate of mine so I will have to leave my plastic at home, " I can't afford to buy anything else this month"
.
Rog.
. it seems well used but no major wear but it does need the belts changing, one of the drip oilers is broken and it has no chuck for the tailstop. I am going to have to do something about the stand/cabinet too, it's a homemade one and far from nice to look at but at the end of the day, for the price (£430) with all the extras that came with it, I think I have done well. Tomorrow I am off to the Motorcycle show at the NEC with a mate of mine so I will have to leave my plastic at home, " I can't afford to buy anything else this month".Rog.
HasBean
Member
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- 467
Nice one Rog
If you replace the drive belts use link belts, either from Chronos ,sold by the metre, or better still Lathes.co.uk Note the belts are different, ones an 'A' and the other a 'Z' (well they are on mine ) It really reduces the vibration, especially the countershaft belt.
Drip feed oilers you can get from ARC Eurotrade or RDG when they have them.
If you replace the drive belts use link belts, either from Chronos ,sold by the metre, or better still Lathes.co.uk Note the belts are different, ones an 'A' and the other a 'Z' (well they are on mine
) It really reduces the vibration, especially the countershaft belt.Drip feed oilers you can get from ARC Eurotrade or RDG when they have them.
BIGROG
Happy Days!
- Messages
- 44
Nice one Rog
If you replace the drive belts use link belts, either from Chronos ,sold by the metre, or better still Lathes.co.uk Note the belts are different, ones an 'A' and the other a 'Z' (well they are on mine
Drip feed oilers you can get from ARC Eurotrade or RDG when they have them.
Thanks HB. I looked on lathes.co at the belts and the linkbelts seem pricy but if it saves striping the shafts out it's worth it and I will look into the sites you listed for the oiler, Cheers.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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- 17,995
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- East Yorkshire
I've had a Warco WMT300 for about 6 yrs, in that time it's had a lot of use in my business, mainly machining 304SS and silver steel. It accuracy is spot on so long as you don't take the work piece out. A better chuck would sort that out. Now work for someone else it doesn't get much use, but I wouldn't be without it. In a perfect world I'd have a Colchester, I know where one is and when he sells it, I'll get first refusal.
As for Customer satisfaction, 6 Yrs ago when I bought the Warco I needed one very quickly as the one we had, had suffered an electrical fire, and would be out of commission for sometime. I called Warco who had told me they were expecting them the following week. As I needed it immediately, I called Chester UK, they told me they had the equivalent lathe in stock I drove over to them from East Yorks the following day, only to find that infact they didn't have one at all. I was not happy, and made my feelings known, they didn't seem to care.
When I got back to the workshop that afternoon, I called Warco again, explaining my plight, they contacted East Midlands Customs and had the WMT300 waiting for me, I collected it later that afternoon. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to anyone
As for Customer satisfaction, 6 Yrs ago when I bought the Warco I needed one very quickly as the one we had, had suffered an electrical fire, and would be out of commission for sometime. I called Warco who had told me they were expecting them the following week. As I needed it immediately, I called Chester UK, they told me they had the equivalent lathe in stock I drove over to them from East Yorks the following day, only to find that infact they didn't have one at all. I was not happy, and made my feelings known, they didn't seem to care.
When I got back to the workshop that afternoon, I called Warco again, explaining my plight, they contacted East Midlands Customs and had the WMT300 waiting for me, I collected it later that afternoon. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to anyone
JimM
Member
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- 394
Scott that is an absolute bargain you've got yourself there plus you've got the advantage that any parts you might need are readilly available in the States.
I'm hoping from great things from my little 10F once I've got it up and running but parts are a little scarcer in the UK ( I'm hoping the exchange rate will head back towards 2:1)
Jim
I'm hoping from great things from my little 10F once I've got it up and running but parts are a little scarcer in the UK ( I'm hoping the exchange rate will head back towards 2:1)
Jim
chriskelland
Forum Supporter
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- England south west Oxfordshire
Hi Shox Dr,
Your experience with Warco same as me. I got a 918 lathe and find it's very good value for money, also have a WM16 mill, just waiting for the xtra long bed to be delivered. Warco just seem geared up to be helpful.
Chris.
Your experience with Warco same as me. I got a 918 lathe and find it's very good value for money, also have a WM16 mill, just waiting for the xtra long bed to be delivered. Warco just seem geared up to be helpful.
Chris.
Warco, arrogant and rude dont care attitude when they have the money off you.
Ok while they have what you want in stock although prices usually dearer than others offering SAME machines.
Not once have i heard of delivery maintained even when in stock. To some one who doesnt gey any time off, 1 day is too much and 3 days takes the p..s after cancelling. Yep overnight Sat delivery or stuff it.
Could go on and on but lets say the last one £3k+ machine failed to arrive and given proverbial run around for three months.
Ok while they have what you want in stock although prices usually dearer than others offering SAME machines.
Not once have i heard of delivery maintained even when in stock. To some one who doesnt gey any time off, 1 day is too much and 3 days takes the p..s after cancelling. Yep overnight Sat delivery or stuff it.
Could go on and on but lets say the last one £3k+ machine failed to arrive and given proverbial run around for three months.
chriskelland
Forum Supporter
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- 268
- Location
- England south west Oxfordshire
R you sure we are talking about the same firm? Think you have your wires crossed somewhere. I know Warco very well have been to the factory several times and know most of the staff well. You are not talking about the same Warren Engineering firm I know. They have a very good name in model engineering and are able to match price with any other supplier and with better prepared machines. Could go on!
Chris.
Chris.
