Two similar lathes so condition and included accessories are probably the deciding factor. Manuals are available for the Kerry, not sure about the Viceroy and this can be important with lots of users.

Robert G8RPI.

I would have the Kerry before the Denford Viceroy all other things being equal. The Kerry is a better-built machine all round with a stout bed and nice gearbox. Hard to say what a "Viceroy mk1" is as there were quite a few variants from plain-turning to full screwcutting to wood turning and even a wood and metal turning model for schools. I've had a couple of them and they are not without their problems.

Ultimately, it would depend on what attachments came with the machine. You're not going to find steady or follow rests for either. What chucks do they come with? The early Denford had a screw-on chuck similar to Boxfords. Later ones had camlock d1-3. The Kerry probably has L00 taper chucks or possibly a threaded spindle.

Either would be much better than your Sphere, which is a copy of the bendy old Atlas lathe. I'd still go for the Kerry.

If you can afford it, why not have them both? I have found that two lathes of different capacities in my workshop complement each other in ways I had not expected when I acquired the second.

If that is not a viable option, go for the heavier build of the Kerry

Brian

As ever its condition, condition, condition that rules.

Although the Kerry is a better built, and generally stronger machine than the Viceroy in practice the difference isn't terribly significant until you get to the later versions with the angled tailstock drive. These have the L series chuck mount and a good deal of general beefing up in various places. The topslide in particular is much heftier.

As far as I'm aware all the straight drive tailstock versions have threaded spindles. One weakness to be aware of is endfloat in the clutch shaft bearing mounting. The standard retention system on the the Mk 3 I worked on was a simple domed plug expanded into the bearing bore. Effective and inexpensive when new it had lost grip over many years so the baraing could float back and forth in a somewhat random manner when operating the clutch. Previous owners had resorted to playing with the adjustment which probably made things worse. A T shape cap held on with three screws made so as to push the bearing into the correct place taught the thing manners. Excellent clutch by the way.

If you have an L series spindle do make sure its been looked after with both chuck and taper cleaned properly before mating. Brutal, dirty users can wreck the system by jamming it together with swarf entrained. Hard to do but possible.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 20/12/2019 10:45:07