mini lathe buying advice needed

This topic has 8 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 21 April 2012 at 03:18 by Oshb5s.

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12 April 2012 at 22:26 #89012
Rich2502
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@rich2502
I'm looking for a serious second hand mini lathe, as i only have a very small workshop. My only experience is as an apprentice in the 80's on a Myford super 7. the kind of jobs i've got backed up are some brass bushes for engine rockers 20mm id x 26 od, aluminium bearing insertion plug 3 " od x 16mm bore, skim some car alternator commutators, make m14 tap, cut 1/2 " whitworth threads, BSP threads up to 1".

What are good brands and models to look out for, and what size machine will do what i need ?
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12 April 2012 at 22:26 #6091
Rich2502
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@rich2502
13 April 2012 at 01:58 #89018
Jon
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@jon
1" BSP your gonna need a decent size lathe for that.

Even an 1/2" BSP was too much for an ML7,not rigid enough.The rest you could do on an ML7.

Since you sound like you will be threading various imperial and metric why not invest in a machine where you just dial the pitch in, no faffing about with change wheels. Best thing i ever did in fact done it today from set at 1mm pitch straight over to 20 TPI three knobs to move 15 secs. So in that respect Harrison and Colchester.
13 April 2012 at 13:04 #89032
Sub Mandrel
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@submandrel
Hi Richard,

For a totally different perspective, if you don't mind taking a little time over changing wheels an ordinary mini-lathe (Arc C3 etc.) will do all that you are asking. Abilities are surprisingly close to a Myford 7 but you don't get the gap bed.

I've turned threads of 1.5"+ outside and inside diameter on mine, and turned workpieces in cast iron up to 4" diameter and faced up to 7" diameter – just take it gently and accept that you can't take huge cuts. Is worth taking the time to set it up properly and doing the roller bearing upgrade.

Neil
13 April 2012 at 13:09 #89033
Boiler Bri
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@boilerbri
If i were you i would look out for a Boxford model A. A good one will cost you betwen 500 and 1K. If your money will run to it, even a Colchester.

On this forum i hear so many moans about the smaller cheap lathes and millers where things have broken or seized up.

Brian
13 April 2012 at 13:14 #89034
Boiler Bri
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@boilerbri
Go for the best you can afford, EG Boxford Model A @ 500-1000 quid.

So many cheap lathes have problems, http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=67351.

Look for other postings in his forum to see where i am coming from.

Bri
13 April 2012 at 21:05 #89058
Rich2502
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@rich2502
yep that C3 looks about the size i want, what depth of cut would that do ?
13 April 2012 at 21:39 #89062
Sub Mandrel
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@submandrel
C3 will take 20 thou in free cutting steel or cast iron without difficulty, 30-40 thou in brass or alloy.

With a good rigid setup, good tool and roller bearings you can go deeper – over 1/16" cut on smaller diameters.

Neil
21 April 2012 at 03:18 #89456
Oshb5s
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@oshb5s
I concure with all that I have the equivent Axminster but a Sieg Miller One thing I will say is iv talked to people who have had both the Sieg and Axminster with the readouts on the ends of the dials but have ended up taking them off due to problems they have had with them. But it is only what I have heard..
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