Cowells Compared with Flexispeed

Cowells Compared with Flexispeed

This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 18 September 2017 at 13:22 by Neil Wyatt.

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17 September 2017 at 09:39 #317336
James Alford
Participant
@jamesalford67616
Purely out of curiosity as I am quite satisfied with my Flexispeed:

I know that the Cowells lathe is held in high esteem; I did look into buying a new one, but could not afford it. I also understand that it is a descendant of the Flexispeed.

I was wondering what fundamental differences there are between the Cowells and the later Flexispeeds and whether this translates into much difference in terms of accuracy or usefulness between the two machines, allowing for age-related wear in the Flexispeed.

Similarly, is there much to choose between these two machines and a comparable size Chinese machine in terms of accuracy and usefulness ?

James.
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17 September 2017 at 09:39 #13048
James Alford
Participant
@jamesalford67616
17 September 2017 at 10:09 #317341
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
James,

In my limited understanding: The real difference is in the detail.

Rather like the oft-mentioned view of Chinese Mini-Lathes … One might consider a Flexispeed to be a 'kit' for making a Cowells.

N.B. I mean absolutely no disrespect to any of the parties involved !!

It is a simple fact that the intrinsic value [i.e. cost of materials] of the machines is similar, but the added value comes from the workmanship.

MichaelG.
17 September 2017 at 17:54 #317410
James Alford
Participant
@jamesalford67616
Michael,

Thank you.

James.
17 September 2017 at 18:44 #317418
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
It would be very interesting, I think, if Neil could arrange a 'factory tour' of Cowells … for himself and perhaps a couple of Cowells owners.

It should be a very suitable subject for an article in MEW … letting people see where the money goes, and how the guaranteed accuracy is achieved.

MichaelG.

.

http://www.cowells.com/90me.htm

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 17/09/2017 18:44:34
18 September 2017 at 13:22 #317525
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
If someone else wants to organise and write up, I'd be happy to publish it.

I suspect the answer is simple though: jig made, hand fitted and possibly selective assembly.

Neil
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