Which lathe to keep

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Which lathe to keep

This topic has 11 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 27 January 2017 at 15:08 by Tractor man.

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26 January 2017 at 13:37 #280296
Tractor man
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@tractorman
Hi all.
Having bought a second metric boxford I am faced with the choice between my current boxford TS and my beloved Raglan 5 inch for which one makes way.
The Boxford obviously shares the same tooling so I could easily swap chucks etc between the two. It’s also geared head and modern. But the Raglan has variable speed, fixed steady. 3 and 4 jaw chucks, face plate, catch plate, 5c chuck etc.
Which would you keep and why. Mick
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26 January 2017 at 13:37 #12875
Tractor man
Participant
@tractorman
26 January 2017 at 13:52 #280302
mick70
Participant
@mick70
i have a clarke cl430 and a southbend model c 9" ( just need a new workshop).

but once i get set up again plan on making an adaptor for each so i can swap chucks between both.

can you not do similar and keep your raglan?

not sure if idea will work but will be giving it a go soon as up and running again.

Edited By naughtyboy on 26/01/2017 13:53:47
26 January 2017 at 14:34 #280314
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
I'd keep both, some years ago I was offered a 8-1/2 swing Mitchell Lathe I already had a Harrison l5 but I said yes I found I could leave work in one and start another machining job in the other this speeded up my model making no end ,

but greedy I have since bought a Boxford cud for repair rather than see it sent to the scrap yard
26 January 2017 at 14:50 #280321
not done it yet
Participant
@notdoneityet
Mick,

I'm biased. Keep the Raglan, unless (perhaps if) it is an early Mkl!

Def, for certain, retain it if is a 5". I'm reading here that it is a 5"and not a LJ. (Some describe any Raglan as a 5" lathe, even though it is a tad over that).

Lead screw only used for threading (don't know about the boxford). Delightful auto trip on long travel power feed apparently. The variable speed is good for changing cutting speed for chatter avoidance (but need an easy to fit rev counter for reproducibility – less than a tenner). You would regret moving it on, later. Built to a quality not to a price.

I would only change my LJ for a 5'', at my time in life and my (limited) use. Certainly not change it for anyting similar but made in China. It should be around long after many modern machines are dumped.
26 January 2017 at 20:21 #280421
Tractor man
Participant
@tractorman
Not done. It is a five inch not a little John and apart from a traveling steady it’s got the lot. I had an extended cross slide made to carry a Rear mounted tool post or for use as a milling table. It really is a great machine. Maybe it is the best to keep. Obviously to act as a second process machine to the modern Boxford.
27 January 2017 at 08:37 #280488
Tractor man
Participant
@tractorman
Common sense dictates that I sell the Raglan and run two near identical boxford lathes. That way I only have one set of chucks and tooling to worry about and I won’t pull the wrong lever when switching between the two because the Raglan and boxford operate so differently.
Plus the Raglan is a complete package with all tooling and chucks to get turning immediately.
Mick
27 January 2017 at 12:02 #280540
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
The proceeds from the sale of the Raglan will enable you to tool up the newer Boxfords to a superior level with collets, milling drilling spindle, etc to last a lifetime. Its sale might also fill the requirement for a beginner on here wondering what to get between new import and old ebay item of unknown quality.
27 January 2017 at 13:38 #280576
Tractor man
Participant
@tractorman
I intend putting the Raglan on sale as soon as it’s moved from its current place in the shop. I am wondering if it should be kept together as one lot or sell the chucks and backplates separately.
27 January 2017 at 13:58 #280579
Robbo
Participant
@robbo
Research (and advisors on other forums) tells me that you will get more money if you sell the lathe with the minimum of accessories (say original standard issue) and sell anything else separately, Particularly if selling on the public market.

If selling to someone "in the know" you may be able to negotiate a decent deal for the whole lot – its certainly less work that way.

This forum has plenty of stories from people who have "got an amazing deal on a fully equipped lathe".

I once bought an ML7 tailstock, and found the lathe it came from was one of those special "double height" lathes that were used by Ferodo and others for skimming brake drums/discs at race meetings. The chap refused to sell me the complete lathe as he could make much more by selling the parts.

Edited By Robbo on 27/01/2017 14:01:20
27 January 2017 at 15:08 #280596
Tractor man
Participant
@tractorman
Robbo. You’re right of course that spares etc might be more lucrative but this lathe is in top fettle.
I’m going to specify the basic lathe and list the special items separately.
It will make a fabulous machine for someone as it has a milling cross slide and power feed in both axes.
Mick
27 January 2017 at 15:08 #280597
Tractor man
Participant
@tractorman
Robbo. You’re right of course that spares etc might be more lucrative but this lathe is in top fettle.
I’m going to specify the basic lathe and list the special items separately.
It will make a fabulous machine for someone as it has a milling cross slide and power feed in both axes.
Mick
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