Toolco Lathes

This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 17 May 2012 at 20:28 by Ed Cole.

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16 January 2012 at 19:36 #82248
Mark Salzedo
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@marksalzedo65030
Hello,

I am thinking of buying a Chinese Toolco lathe. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has experience of these lathes. And how do they compare to Warco, Chester or Arc Euro Trade?

Many thanks,

Mark
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16 January 2012 at 19:36 #5871
Mark Salzedo
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@marksalzedo65030
Toolco Lathes
16 January 2012 at 19:41 #82249
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I think they are all the same basic Weiss machines though there may be small differences in spec and can’t say I’ve heard anything good or bad about Toolco.

J
16 January 2012 at 21:41 #82258
Gray62
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@gray62
I have a Warco GH1330 and am very pleased with it, from what I can determine, their machines are essentially the same.

I can’t vouch for Toolco but Warco have been excellent as far as support and after sales goes. I have had a number of machines and tooling items from them and they are always willing to assist with after sales support when needed.
17 January 2012 at 11:53 #82293
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
Participant
@michaelwilliams41215
When considering any supplier of these machines always ask them what condition the machine will be in as delivered to you . Some suppliers just pass the machines on to customers as they get them , some do a good check over at least and some do a complete inspection , partial strip down , clean up and final adjustment .

The difference between a raw machine and a machine fully prepared for use is considerable with some of these imports .

MW
17 May 2012 at 20:28 #91028
Ed Cole
Participant
@edcole75142
Darn, wish I have stumbled on this thread before.

I am a complete lathe/mill newbie – a biker, not a modeler; and have bought a Toolco 400 combi for some motorcycle projects. The info above is confirmation of what I was beginning to gather; that is that a lot of this stuff is all of the same design, if not from the same factory, with a lot of interchangeable parts, and intel, but I guess google can only go so far in replacing experience. For this I'm grateful.

My experience:

Toolco were great people to buy from, and the transaction was seamless. I have not had to contact them since, so no comment of after sales.

The machine was delivered by one of the most obliging pallet drivers I have met who helped me move the pallet into the workshop over a gravel drive using rollers and bearers – I gave him a tip

The machine was clearly untouched by Toolco. It was in it's original crate, and I was disappointed to see quite a lot or rust on the un-machined cast surfaces. It was well greased, but needed a little cleanup; there was nothing to worrying.

As a newbie, I started learning with it, and now know that I do probably have to strip the thing down and do a proper set up.

Hope this helps.
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