My first lathe

This topic has 18 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 8 October 2017 at 22:48 by Stuart Riddell.

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3 October 2017 at 08:01 #319807
Stuart Riddell
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@stuartriddell45006
Hi all,

I am considering getting my first lathe and have been deliberating between the Warco WM180 and the Toolco 1014VB. Both of them are roughly the same weight with the Toolco one having a longer distance between centres however it doesnt seem to have the option for a quick change toolpost from the Toolco website and I contacted them and this was confirmed. Does anyone know if there is a propietory qctp that would fit this out of the box or would it require some fettling?

At some point I was also considering getting a milling slide but it appears this would be a no go for both of these lathes out of the box but I dare say this could be a modification somewhere along the line

Also does anyone have experience of either or both of these lathes that could help me in my decision

Many thanks
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3 October 2017 at 08:01 #8895
Stuart Riddell
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@stuartriddell45006
3 October 2017 at 13:19 #319844
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
The 4in longer bed and slightly more powerful motor may be worth the extra £100 even though most work will be under 2 inches long it makes things a little easier to set up.

As said on another thread BEGINNERS DON'T NEED A QCTP, there are more important things to buy.

If you have the money for a WM180 and a QCTP then you have the money for a WM240 which is worth far more than having the QCTP and it has a vertical slide and eventually a QCTP available.

If you have the money now for a WM240 and a QCTP then get the WM250 and so on. Always sink the max into the lathe to start with as it is easy to get extras later but a real hassle to change up the lathe.
3 October 2017 at 14:40 #319854
Stuart Riddell
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@stuartriddell45006
Thanks for the information Bazyle it’s as I suspected. I do the same thing when buying other things which tends to stretch the budget but makes it worthwhile. I noticed you went down the Warco route instead of Toolco am I to presume this is a more preferable supplier because at the end of the day I would want to ensure reliability and customer support.

I have noticed they don’t have the WM250 in stock so might have to wait a bit 😭

I will just need to put some extras onto a list for Santa 🎅

Edited By Stuart Riddell on 03/10/2017 14:41:24
3 October 2017 at 15:35 #319855
Frances IoM
Participant
@francesiom58905
the WM180 has one advantage of belt drive to head (saves many problems with dig-ins during the learning phase + in my case even after some experience!), you will need small fingers however as the chuck to headstock fitting is rather tight also the cross slide has no screw holes or T slots (+ not enough meat to easily add any) so milling is not going to be easy, also the fitting of the top slide is very awkward as you need wind it way back to gain access to two cap heads to loosen + then tighten to set angle – also it has no way of cutting LH threads as the gearing is rather restricted with the supplied banjo + gear changing somewhat tedious tho supplied with all necessary gears – however I’ve been happy with mine for a couple of years now so a reasonably good 1st lathe to learn on.
3 October 2017 at 17:37 #319867
Gray62
Participant
@gray62
As the Warco WM250 has been mentioned, if you are able to stretch the budget, the WM250V is well worth a look at it has an inverter driven 3 phase motor rather than the DC motor on the other lathes mentioned. I have had one for almost 3 years and it has proved to be an accurate workhorse. As a long time customer of Warco, I can honestly say that their pre and after sales service has been very good, I initially started buying from Warco because they are local to me and I keep going back for more.
3 October 2017 at 18:39 #319877
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
I only referenced Warco bits because I was already on their site to look up the 180. I was just illustrating the principle. I wasn't expressing a preference though as I am in the south I have has some products from them in the past possibly before toolco existed
3 October 2017 at 23:42 #319933
Stuart Riddell
Participant
@stuartriddell45006
Wow looks like my wallets going to take a pounding. Best tell my wife a wee porky pie if she ever asks. Many thanks for the input. I better go strengthen the workbench in anticipation of a larger than first thought lathe
4 October 2017 at 04:31 #319936
Nick_G
Participant
@nick_g
Posted by Bazyle on 03/10/2017 13:19:22:

The 4in longer bed and slightly more powerful motor may be worth the extra £100 even though most work will be under 2 inches long it makes things a little easier to set up.

As said on another thread BEGINNERS DON'T NEED A QCTP, there are more important things to buy.

If you have the money for a WM180 and a QCTP then you have the money for a WM240 which is worth far more than having the QCTP and it has a vertical slide and eventually a QCTP available.

If you have the money now for a WM240 and a QCTP then get the WM250 and so on. Always sink the max into the lathe to start with as it is easy to get extras later but a real hassle to change up the lathe.

.

This is logical and good advice.

Although a QCTP is certainly a very handy item to have. Reality is a considerable amount needs to be budgeted for tooling for a lathe. This is often forgotten. – But then again Christmas is coming.

Nick
4 October 2017 at 07:23 #319941
Roger B
Participant
@rogerb61624
I started out with one of the generic minilathes and latter added a milling slide designed for the smaller Clarke lathe by drilling and tapping 4 holes in the cross slide. There are a couple of pictures in my album milling slide.

What are you intending to make on this lathe?

Best regards

Roger
4 October 2017 at 09:12 #319952
Stuart Riddell
Participant
@stuartriddell45006
Hi Roger

Primarily I will be looking to turn a few parts for my motorbike but after that, I am embarrased to say, I haven’t thought much but one thing I would like to start on is making something like a model of a v8 engine but that will also require a lot more knowledge from me and a lot of practice. Perhaps a tall ask but I am going to give it a bash, I mean how hard can it be ? 😳🤣

Ideally I would prefer to only buy 1 lathe and have it as a keeper rather than buying one then building up from there I suppose

Regards

Stuart
4 October 2017 at 09:50 #319958
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
I bought my Ty-1326 BH Taiwanese made lathe in 1986, and I have not found the need for anything other than the 4 way tool post that was fitted to the machine when I bought it.

Ian S C
4 October 2017 at 11:11 #319980
Roger B
Participant
@rogerb61624
The first lathe decision is always difficult.

Buy the biggest/best you can afford is one way of looking at it.

The other thought is buy something that will be sufficient for what you want to start with. If it is not too expensive it won't hurt so much the first time you take a lump out of the bed or cross slide You will also have money available for tooling, it's quite easy to spend the same as you spent on the basic lathe. As you gain experience you can then see what features you really need and select another machine that has these. Some of the tooling will be transferable to the new lathe so it won't be like starting from scratch again.

Best regards

Roger
6 October 2017 at 19:53 #320320
Keith Fox
Participant
@keithfox28514
Have you considered the Sieg SC4. Arceurotrade have a bundle advertised in the latest edition of Model Engineers' Workshop for £1,500. I would have considered it myself if I hadn't just bought 1 from Axminster.

I am just a beginner, but it does seem like a good lathe to me.

Keith
6 October 2017 at 20:09 #320323
richardandtracy
Participant
@richardandtracy
Can I ask why no-one on this forum considers the Clarke CL500/430 out loud?

As a lathe, it's pretty sturdy, is big for the price, is capable. It has some limitations and has been around for a while, but seems pretty bulletproof to me. The milling head is a waste of money, no doubt. So, what do the newer machines offer for the extra money?

Regards

Richard.
6 October 2017 at 20:37 #320326
Mick B1
Participant
@mickb1
Posted by Graeme W on 03/10/2017 17:37:28:

As the Warco WM250 has been mentioned, if you are able to stretch the budget, the WM250V is well worth a look at it has an inverter driven 3 phase motor rather than the DC motor on the other lathes mentioned. I have had one for almost 3 years and it has proved to be an accurate workhorse. As a long time customer of Warco, I can honestly say that their pre and after sales service has been very good, I initially started buying from Warco because they are local to me and I keep going back for more.

+1 on this. I've also had a satisfactory experience with the WM250V and Warco's service.
6 October 2017 at 20:44 #320329
Stuart Riddell
Participant
@stuartriddell45006
Breaking news, just checked the space i have and it appears i may be limited in depth so this may help towards my decision as I only have a depth of around 460mm to play with. Length & height are no problem, just depth.
8 October 2017 at 09:26 #320470
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Posted by richardandtracy on 06/10/2017 20:09:13:

Can I ask why no-one on this forum considers the Clarke CL500/430 out loud?

There are some happy users about, I don't erecall any complains about the lathe part although the milling is basic and really needs a big box on the slide. It's quite a big lathe for the price, which is no doubt why some people gomfor it, but it hasn't 'moved with the times'. Biggest limitation is only six speeds and it has a flat bed which is unusual for a modern lathe – but they work on Myfords so…

I think it's aimed at the 'garage that wants something big enough to skim brake disks and do odd jobs that isn't stuffed with features we don't need'.

Neil
8 October 2017 at 22:48 #320604
Stuart Riddell
Participant
@stuartriddell45006
I have noticed there is next to no reviews on Toolco lathes anywhere online let alone on this forum. After checking dimensions the Toolco 1014vb or the Amadeal AMA210V looks like it’ll fit where I need it and both have 400mm between centres. Has anyone had experience or used these machines. Unfortunately it appears Warco no longer do the WM210V so it would be their WM180 which has 300mm between centres compared to the others
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