The Lathe information thread - James Needs Help

[85_Z31]

Righto Guys

I'm in the Market for a Lathe.

The story goes My Late Grandad loved metalwork and machining and his estate is finally going to churn out some money after 18 months of pissing about with paperwork and what not.

So I'm getting $2500 and it seems appropriate to spend it on something that's going to last me a long time and something he would approve of , and Lathe fits this perfectly.

I know Nothing about lathes and makes and models.

I did Spent a couple classes at CPIT on the lathes making up some pointless bits and pieces on an Colchester, and i also know 2 guys who can teach me correct proper use once i get one.

But at a first glance looking on trade me Ive got no idea what I'm looking at or the Pro's / Cons of Model type ect.

If anybody has any experience or opinions and helpful hints I would really appreciate it.

I have Single Phase Power only
I have the room for it
I have $2500 to spend
I'm not to worried about something needing some TLC if its the right price
I want something big enough to machine your average brake rotor ( not for that purpose but as an indication of size

Any Help Appreciated.

Bart I know your old man does some machining what does he reckon ?

[Bartman]

I can ask him what he thinks of a specific machine if you have a link.
He has an old school as fuck Dean, Smith & Grace 13X42 lathe with hydraulic copy head. It weighs a zillion tons. (The earthquake still managed to move it though!) He can make stuff on it that you wouldn't believe you could make on a lathe. I'm real good at breaking tools, and making the chuck jaws bellmouthed.

[85_Z31]

Its tough not knowing about brands and things but this sort of thing seems like a good size

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farmi ... 698333.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nzdatman]

Unlike when buying a car, made in england is a good thing when buying a lathe. Although with your size/budget/need for single phase you might be restricted to something chinese. Some of them are not too bad, some are definitely better than others. A good chinese one would probably be better than an ancient english one that can't cut metric threads etc and has alreadu been worked to death.
That one in that link looks pretty good but it's hard to tell without having a look. Not very familiar with that brand but think it might be Taiwanese. Taiwanese lathes usually pretty good, better than chinese.

[DAT620]

Dont spend all your money on just a lathe because tooling for one can cost just as much, Ive got this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farmi ... 48387.html

And it works pretty well but had to spend some time sorting out the slides and stuff, but if I went back in time Id prob save up a bit more and get a all in one mill/drill/lathe, because now Im like
"Cool I've done all the turning but now I want to machine a flange". no go.

Have a look at Scott Machinery down Gilberthorpes road and Topmaq down Hammersmith drive.

[85_Z31]

Dont spend all your money on just a lathe because tooling for one can cost just as much, Ive got this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farmi ... 48387.html

And it works pretty well but had to spend some time sorting out the slides and stuff, but if I went back in time Id prob save up a bit more and get a all in one mill/drill/lathe, because now Im like
"Cool I've done all the turning but now I want to machine a flange". no go.

Have a look at Scott Machinery down Gilberthorpes road and Topmaq down Hammersmith drive.

So you don't find the Belt Drive for Gear / speed adjustment to be too much of a disadvantage ?

Thats one of the things that put me off the newer cheaper chin ease made lathes

[nzdatman]

Hmmm I don't know about that...
I would buy the best lathe you can afford, you can always buy tooling as you go, not in one hit. The lathe you posted the link to is twice the lathe in the topmaq auction, twice the distance between centres, twice the motor power, twice the weight, much bigger swing, much bigger spindle bore, geared head, taiwanese vs. chinese, plus it comes with 4 jaw, faceplate, fixed and travelling steadies, and some tooling, all of which are optional extras on the topmaq machine.
as for the milling drilling turning combo, I wouldn't. I'd get a half decent lathe and then save up for a mill/drill. Even just a lathe and a drill press to get you going. There's a lot you can do on a lathe if you know how to use it.
Just one mans opinion though.

[Bartman]

I concur with Morgan's comment 'bout english ones being good.
Also watch out for wear in the bed. If you get one with lots of wear, on a long cut it wont cut parralle.

[DAT620]

Dont spend all your money on just a lathe because tooling for one can cost just as much, Ive got this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farmi ... 48387.html

And it works pretty well but had to spend some time sorting out the slides and stuff, but if I went back in time Id prob save up a bit more and get a all in one mill/drill/lathe, because now Im like
"Cool I've done all the turning but now I want to machine a flange". no go.

Have a look at Scott Machinery down Gilberthorpes road and Topmaq down Hammersmith drive.

So you don't find the Belt Drive for Gear / speed adjustment to be too much of a disadvantage ?

Thats one of the things that put me off the newer cheaper chin ease made lathes

Ive got the previous model of the same size and its gear speed change.

[sr1600]

my old man has a belt driven lathe that i was brought up on, Was a bit of a shock on the CPIT ones.

Its an old belt driven one and is all setup for imperial threads so all the engagement rules as listed for that.

Only way to cut the metric threads is to leave the lathe in gear and use the belt engage and reverse back for another cut, bit of a pain but it works.

Its pretty old and has a bit of backlash but as long as you wind back past and always cut on the one side of it, its fine for anything i do.