Buying descision

This topic has 8 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 24 May 2013 at 09:50 by Robbo.

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22 May 2013 at 16:11 #120442
Frank
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@frank
Reached a cross roads in my Budget planning for my new workshop.

Given that I've got £1,000 to spend on machinery, I'm undecided between buying a lathe and milling machine or spend the lot just on a lathe?

Bearing in mind that I'm a complete beginner and that I want to have a go at small engines/models, I assumed that buying a lathe and mill would be the way to go.

However, based on User recommendations, I do like the look of the Sieg C4 lathe (which blows the budget on its own). I would like the lathe to have powered feeds, which I'm not sure the Chester Conquest lathe has got.

Opinions/advice please?
Advert

22 May 2013 at 16:11 #6722
Frank
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@frank
22 May 2013 at 17:26 #120452
SteveW
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@stevew54046
Spend it on a lathe a bit bigger than you think you need, keep a little to buy any tooling, taps etc (say £150) and start saving for a mill. Steve W
22 May 2013 at 17:31 #120454
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
If you do go for just a lathe then make sure you can fit a vertical slide to it as this will allow you to use the lathe for light milling operations, Even if there is not a specific one for your chosen machine it is often possible to fit a decent Myford one, thats how I built the traction engine in my avitar – Emco lathe and Myford slide.

Most of the small lathes are likely to have a powered longditudinal feed but its not until you get to something around the size of the Warco 250VF that you will get power cross feed.

J
22 May 2013 at 20:46 #120469
GaryM
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@garym
Frank,

Arc Eurotrade have a special offer on the C6 at the moment including some of the accessories you'll inevitably need:

**LINK**

Gary

Edited By Gary Marland on 22/05/2013 20:47:21
23 May 2013 at 00:52 #120474
Bazyle
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@bazyle
All the imports come with those accessories these days. It's like electric windows on cars.

I think I'd prefer an AUD for that money.

Accedemic anyway as Frank should have stapled his wallet shut for 3 months while he learns more.
23 May 2013 at 01:42 #120476
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
Save yourself a HUGE amount of cash and hold out for a Drummond M series

Then munch lots of metal and have 800 quid for all the other bits you'll need

Try and get one with a 3 and 4 jaw chucks

gl

Edited By Ady1 on 23/05/2013 01:55:22
23 May 2013 at 09:15 #120491
Durhambuilder
Participant
@durhambuilder
this doesn't appear to be a bad buy, the basic lathe without accessories is nearly £3k new, with the stand and accesories probably nearer £4k worth….

http://www.lathes.co.uk/advertphoto/130410ceriani/

or for a little extra work and searching for the missing bits, an emco compact 10.

http://www.thetoolbox.org.uk/late_arrivals/metalworking2.html

Edited By Durhambuilder on 23/05/2013 09:21:38
24 May 2013 at 09:50 #120525
Robbo
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@robbo
There's an Emco Compact 8 advertised on homeworkshop.org.uk which may suit. Price £450

Contact John on 07847 621456, but be quick.

Located in Walsall, so not far away

Phil

Edited By Robbo on 24/05/2013 09:51:27
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