Confused about lathe.

[Anonymous]

The OP mentions a 1" BSW, 8 tpi, thread as being the coarsest he would need to cut. Given that there are two questions to ask any perspective supplier:

1. Does an imperial version of the lathe actually have an imperial leadscrew?

2. Does the lathe have enough torque at the minimum spindle rpm to cut an 8tpi thread in steel?

Andrew

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If the answer to No2 is no, then question 3 should be:

Can the lathe be run in reverse so I can cut the thread at a faster speed (more torque) without risk of not stopping it in time to avoid a crash?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

SC4 comes with a 127 changewheel for perfect metric to imperial conversion suitable for pedants

Neil

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

IF you can find one, the Engineers ToolRoom BL12-24 comes with dual dials. The Leadscrews are actually Metric, but the geartrain to the Norton box includes a 120/127T gear, so you get the best of both worlds. Having a 5MT bore Mandrel, it has a 38mm throughway.

It does not claim to be a Toolroom lathe, but a sharp Tangential tool will reliably take cuts of half a thou.

It is the equivalent of the Warco BH600, which was available in Imperial or Metric versions, whilst the Chester Craftsman is Metric.

In standard form the belts give 6 speeds plus Back gear to make a total of 12. Both power feeds are from a drive shaft and not the Leadscrew.

Worth considering, or perhaps one of their gear head successors, if you can fit one into your space.

Howard

[coggyParticipant @coggy]

Thanks very much for all the advice it has certainly helped me clear up a few points.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Chris Trice on 06/12/2018 12:05:58:

Could I recommend a visit and chat with Chris and/or Steve at Home And Workshop Machinery? No obligation to buy but lots of advice and demonstrations of non bodged second hand machinery. They've currently got some Boxfords in which apart from the colours, are in good condition with no "disappointments" lurking for the unwary. Also a good selection of all other makes. They're in Sidcup, Kent.

Concur.

Highly recommended.

My Tom Senior M1 came from them, sight unseen in person, only pics, scruffy, but with the quill feed S type head at a very good realistic price. Sent to my shippers in Wales who shipped it here to Thailand. Zero problems, very helpful.

Bought other tooling & spares as well over the years inc 3C collets.

Excellent company.

[Mark Elen 1Participant @markelen1]

Hi Coggy,

I have been in exactly the same position as you regarding a lathe just recently. I had pretty much decided on a Warco 280/290 and a DRO.

As I’m really just a beginner, I thought, get the biggest lathe I could afford. In the end, with the discount ARC have at the moment, I ended up buying a SC4 from them. Yes, it’s not got a threading dial, it’s only got a 20mm hole through the spindle and the power cross feed is a bit naff(it’s too easy on disconnecting the cross feed to engage the fine saddle feed and vice versa) but it’s nearly half the price of the 280 and with a fixed steady, the small spindle hole isn’t an issue – well to me it isn’t. I have got into the habit of winding off the top slide before disengaging the cross slide.

All metal change gears and it comes with the 127 gear, so both metric and imperial screwcutting. I have now cut M14 fine, M12 fine, M10 both coarse and fine and I’ve got 3/8 BSF and a left hand 1/2 BSF coming up shortly – hopefully they will go as well as the metric have.

I learnt when I bought my mill that the machine itself is only half of the cost. The other half is all of the tooling. My decision was really made on the fact that being from the ‘flat part of Lincolnshire’ ARC are not too far away in Leicester and they are a friendly bunch – whenever I’ve been there, the kettle has been on😂 (The other reason is that I’ve been to 2 shows and both times been on the Warco stand and been unimpressed as a potential customer – the first time nobody spoke to me, even though I was on the stand for about 10 minutes, the second, they seemed uninterested. Add to that, no stock. I was willing to wait for stock, but in the meantime, I made the decision)

I have made sure that all of the tooling I have bought is the biggest the SC4 will take, so if I’m future I decide to upgrade, hopefully I don’t have to buy another load of tooling.

One of the first things I did with it, was to screwcut a M14x1.75 thread and apart from my stupid mistake not setting the top slide correctly, the lack of thread dial, to me, is a non issue, just keep the half nut engaged and run forward and back.

As to a DRO, I bought a DRO with my mill but my budget wouldn’t run to one when I bought the lathe. Add to that, I had seen the LCD displays at the Midlands show. I had pretty much decided that was one of the first things to buy when funds ran to it. I have ended up buying more tooling with that budget. I think it’s going to be one of those ‘nice to have if I’ve got some spare cash in the future’ things.

I have no connection to ARC other than a satisfied customer

Cheers

Mark

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Coggy

You have a PM.

+1 for the comments re Arc. One very happy, small spending customer..

Howard

[StuwParticipant @stuw95558]

Try this place,, http://www.lathes.co.uk, it is a good site for buying and selling with a lot of information available on just about all the lathes which have been made, ever.

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