mini lathe recomendations

[Rannsachair]

Unless you are in a real hurry to buy, I would look at what is for sale local to you, bargains do turn up and buying second hand means you often get all the accessories thrown in to the deal.

I agree that Myfords are often overpriced, but not always as there are plenty of them around and some owned by enthusiasts who really look after them. I picked up an ML7 with clutch and lots of accessories: 3 and 4 jaw chucks, milling attachment, steadies, faceplates, tools and drill chucks on gumtree for £700 which I think was ok. Even a small lathe like the ML7 weighs 200lbs without the cabinet so a bit of a lift into the back of a car!

I would consider any of the smaller European or American made lathes dependent on condition/accessories/value.

 

[gaz1]

consider your space ml7s are 1000mm so if less than this you need another type of lathe

then its getting it down into the cellar that could be a problem as 2 people can handle it down into the cellar

atlas is also a good machine and theres many more but it all depends on what you can carry down the stairs or if you have good access down there

 

[Richard.]

1200mm available?
Colchester bantam ???
I'd love one of those one day.

 

[Seadog]

Another vote for boxford if you can get it in. As far as the Amadeal one goes, I know the owner, Hugh, as it's a local company. Very helpful chap but I still wouldn't buy one, I'd sooner have British.

 

[Screwdriver]

Rather than look for a specific model, you want to concentrate on your feature list: what you want on a lathe (other than small size)

The Myford lathes are typically excellent little devices and are capable of doing amazing work with the right accessories. But they are highly collectible and there's a massive price premium over other similar spec machines, especially for accessories.

Do you want imperial or metric? Will you be screwcutting? Will you want a power cross slide etc. Once you know what you're after you can start looking at a range of machines because if you want a good deal, you'll probably want a secondhand item with as much tooling as possible. Have a good look at lathes.co.uk and use that site as a cross reference with eBay. Just browse eBay looking for the sort of machine you want then look it up on lathes.

S.

 

[skotl]

...because even the baby ml10 can be £600-£1000 as a bear lathe...

I don't like bear lathes so much. Fur and blood go all up the wall and along the ceiling.

 

[winchman]

I have a Sherline
http://sherline.com

Its fab but a lot of the time too small, have a good think about what you need before you buy, Mine was the right price and compact as I don't have much space but I am still looking for a bigger one then I should get my money back on the Sherline

 

[Badger1bear]

I've had a root around in the cellar and if I build a new home for my compressor outside it will free up enough space for a myford, what was the smallest myford...... 7 ?????

 

[optima21]

I've got a hobbymat lathe and milling machine, the lathe is smaller that the myford ML10's.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/hobbymat-lathe-and-milling-machine-modifications.58888/

mine is better equipped than most but they seem to normally crop up as they left the factory when they are for sale.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/hobbymat/

 

[Wallace]

Another vote for boxford if you can get it in. As far as the Amadeal one goes, I know the owner, Hugh, as it's a local company. Very helpful chap but I still wouldn't buy one, I'd sooner have British.

I agree, very helpful supplying parts for my POS XJ9525 mill bought from elsewhere.

 

[Rannsachair]

For dimensions on Myfords see http://www.lathes.co.uk/myford/page19.html, I suspect the smallest 7, is the standard ML7 and not the long bed version. They often come on Myford stands that are quite well made but not ideal for storage:

 

[Brad93]

I'd say you want a Ml10 Simon. Tad smaller than the Ml7

 

[optima21]

I've had a root around in the cellar and if I build a new home for my compressor outside it will free up enough space for a myford, what was the smallest myford...... 7 ?????

can you build a bench above the compressor to put a lathe on? when I got my new compressor I fitted it under my existing bench, but have to wheel it out from under the bench if used for long periods as it overheats.

 

[Chris Stevens]

1200mm available?
Colchester bantam ???
I'd love one of those one day.

I have a Mk2 Bantam...............very nice lathe, and quite rigid for small footprint machine.

 

[gaz1]

heres @Richard. post about his first lathe

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/feeling-a-little-restricted.63991/

 

[Badger1bear]

What do you recon to this ? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=272401448383

 

[Richard.]

What do you recon to this ? http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=272401448383

It's a myford ml7. Bit longer than mine I would say it's just out side of mini lathe bracket.
Got the tooling and 4 jaw to get you turning straight away and will allow you to turn a bit of length where the baby lathes have restrictions.
Price wise it's about what they fetch but as its a local one to you the bargain that could be 200 miles away might not be so much of a bargain so could be worth a viewing.
If as you say money isn't the issue it may well pay you to look at one with a quick change box on one. These come in very handy when swapping feed speeds for threads.
Mine I have to swap gears about which is fine but they do add a significant amount of time on the job.
I went to view mine with a friend as I know nothing of what to look out for. As your starting out too I'd suggest you do the same as just like welders you can pick up an expensive lump of c##p

 

[mm289]

Hiya, i've got an ML10 in the corner of the workshop that i bought a couple of years back to start out with. I soon upgraded when John (ZZR1200) was selling his Harrison L5 so not really spent much time with it.

Off on hols at the mo but in Kent as well, so if you want to come have a look/play and see if it would be suitable your more than welcome. Not sure i would be able to give you much instruction as I am still on a journey myself but at least you could see if you think it might be the right machine for you.

Cheers

MM

 

[Badger1bear]

Pm on its way

 

[Richard.]

Not bad little lathes.

As the guys said extras are readily available but can be pricey.

Look forward to seeing some of your results Bb