If starting again, what would you buy with a budget of £5k?

[Lee Jones 6Participant @leejones6]

Budget might stretch a little but not much.

Purchases ought to cover; Lathe, Milling Machine and Accessories for both.

[Lee Jones 6Participant @leejones6]

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Before that question can be answered please give us a clue on what you want to do or make. I do not make models as my interest lies in old motorcycles which dictates size/type of machinery. Also what space have you got to set up your workshop ? £5k should give you a nice set up, be patient in finding machines and enjoy the setting up of your shop. If you are near the Lichfield area your welcome to see mine.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

A good condition South Bend clone lathe (Boxford to you, Hercus to me) with slotted cross slide, rear parting tool post, traveling and fixed steady, three and four jaw chucks, faceplate, catch plate, dogs, plus a 4-jaw self centering chuck, ER collet set up, the usual tailstock chuck, centres and die holders, plus the usual selection of tooling.

A SIEG X3 Mill with six inch Vertex rotary table and a similar dividing head, plus the usual cutters and collets etc. Vertex vice. Clamping set. Edge and centre finders by Starrett.

That'd get me started.

[Lee Jones 6Participant @leejones6]

How did I know this question would be answered with several further questions.

There were a couple of reasons to enforce ambiguity here. Firstly, I didn't want to sway any replies with my current research results or preferences. Secondly, and most importantly, I don't yet have a niche area of interest. I just enjoy making things. Mills and lathes are kind of a next step in my foray into metal working. Firstly it was welding (Tig, Stick, MIG – in that order). Now I would like to start working on some projects (nothing in particular) requiring more precision.

One thing I can tell you that should help with your query; I do not plan on being a model engineer. The larger stuff takes my fancy, so the model series mills and lathes won't cut it (so to speak).

So the more in-depth questions are; would you go new or old? What accessories/attachments would you consider must haves, and which brands do you consider going for at this early stage?

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Lee, with the budget set you will have to go to used machines if wanting something bigger than model engineering size, 1 new machine in the size envisaged will wipe your budget out in 1 hit.

Emgee

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Lee Jones 6 on 10/03/2019 08:40:16:

There were a couple of reasons to enforce ambiguity here. Firstly, I didn't want to sway any replies with my current research results or preferences. Secondly, and most importantly, I don't yet have a niche area of interest. I just enjoy making things.

• Now I would like to start working on some projects (nothing in particular) requiring more precision.
• The larger stuff takes my fancy, so the model series mills and lathes won't cut it (so to speak).

So the more in-depth questions are; would you go new or old? What accessories/attachments would you consider must haves, and which brands do you consider going for at this early stage?

.

My precis of your post ^^^ should indicate that you are asking an unanswerable question.

The only real hint that you have given is that you probably want to work on larger items than I do.

MichaelG.

[Andy CarruthersParticipant @andycarruthers33275]

Personally 2nd hand every time, I'm on a steep learning curve, have no intention of model making just making stuff for my own use (lathe tool holders, tap wrench, modifying my lathe etc) and pleasure of having a reasonably well equipped workshop

I want to upgrade my lathe to a Boxford / Harrison / Colchester when I am in funds, I have a Tom Senior M1 with DRO which is more than adequate for my needs, and an Invicta shaper which is a thing of beauty – another tool to learn how to use, it's an indulgence rather than a need

I would add a decent bench grinder to your list

That should leave plenty of money for tooling and materials – Hopper has given a very good account

As an aside, if you are looking to pick up techniques and skills quickly, the Axminster 5 day intermediate course is an excellent starting point, I wouldn't bother with the Lathe or Milling beginners course having done the Lathe beginners course too

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

The machines I mentioned above are good for more than model size jobs. Would cope with motorcycle and car restoration work no problems.

[vintage engineerParticipant @vintageengineer]

Not a lot! Might get some of the big stuff, lathe and mill not much else. A couple of years ago I did a rough calculation of the value of my tools and stopped when I got to £50K. Some of my Stahlwille spanners are over £30 each! A Hoffman dividing head second hand will set you back £500+

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 10/03/2019 08:51:21:

Posted by Lee Jones 6 on 10/03/2019 08:40:16:

There were a couple of reasons to enforce ambiguity here. Firstly, I didn't want to sway any replies with my current research results or preferences. Secondly, and most importantly, I don't yet have a niche area of interest. I just enjoy making things.

• Now I would like to start working on some projects (nothing in particular) requiring more precision.
• The larger stuff takes my fancy, so the model series mills and lathes won't cut it (so to speak).

So the more in-depth questions are; would you go new or old? What accessories/attachments would you consider must haves, and which brands do you consider going for at this early stage?

.

My precis of your post ^^^ should indicate that you are asking an unanswerable question.

The only real hint that you have given is that you probably want to work on larger items than I do.

MichaelG.

The original question is "…what would YOU buy with a budget of 5K".

I've already stated the cold hard facts of what I would buy.

What the OP might buy is up to him and nothing to do with the original question.

But now we seem to be getting back to the dreaded "used relics of the Empire in various states of disrepair vs current Asian artifacts of hotly debated quality" , which is totally pointless as countless previous threads have shown. Might as well argue religion.

Unfortunate question for the OP's first post on the forum.

 

 

Edited By Hopper on 10/03/2019 10:49:26

[Anonymous]

To answer the OP, I wouldn't. I spent more than £5k on my lathe and mill without additional accessories. To be fair both came with enough in the way of chucks and vices to be usable. I've probably spent another £3k on accessories.

I think these sort of threads should be banned. They really don't add anything to the debate, and everything that needs to be said has been said. In most cases the original question is unanswerable anyway.

Andrew

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Lee Jones 6 on 10/03/2019 08:40:16:

How did I know this question would be answered with several further questions.

Sounds like you've done this before?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Hopper on 10/03/2019 10:42:16:

The original question is "…what would YOU buy with a budget of 5K".

I've already stated the cold hard facts of what I would buy.

What the OP might buy is up to him and nothing to do with the original question.

.

Technically correct, Hopper

'though [reading the text of his post rather than concentrating on the title] I suspect that was not really his intended question.

To answer in the spirit of your comments, I would have to say:

"That's none of your business"

… But that would be rude, and I was trying to help.

MichaelG.

.

P.S. [Hopper] You may also note that I did not respond to the original question, but only to his follow-up post.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 10/03/2019 11:26:38

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

I used to believe that these were genuine enquiries however I now think these questions can all be answered by the original poster in the first place as if you can't work out what machine you need, how can you possibly work out how to use it?

Therefore these posts are purely intended to inflame and like Andrew above, I also think they should be deleted/banned even though they appear to come from people new to the hobby. I might be wrong, but how can you come up with a budget and yet not have an idea of what to spend it on.

On the off chance the title of this thread is real my answer would be :-

'Exactly what I bought this time'

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Also worth checking first what your workshop is like. I would build a decent insulated shed first to make sure I can actually use the machines and not a papier mache bought in shed. Need to have a solid concrete but insulated floor, and corrugated iron pent roof to ensure no leaks and maximum height within planning regs. Also leave room to extend it. A cold shed makes using the expensive machines less enjoyable.

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 10/03/2019 10:53:05:

I think these sort of threads should be banned. They really don't add anything to the debate, and everything that needs to be said has been said. In most cases the original question is unanswerable anyway.

Andrew

Andrew, I entirely agree. Particularly when there is a hidden agenda in the original post, deliberate ambiguity, admitted in post #4.

Not an ideal way for a new member to endear themselves to the community!

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Or an old member either.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I think it's worth treating queries in good faith, or if you find them too vague or peculiar – just move on.

In this case, I think reluctance to give an idea of what they want to do is rather like asking 'what guitar should I buy' without saying the genre of music.

Neil

[Jon LawesParticipant @jonlawes51698]

Although I can understand your ambiguity, maybe its best to pin down a little more tightly what you can forsee yourself making. Although you say you want to be open about the sort of things you will be making, its currently a "What kind of car should I buy" question, with the answer to "what do you want to use it for" currently no more accurate than "everything".

As you can see its a question thats been hotly debated in the past!

[Anonymous]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 10/03/2019 12:47:21:

……………….. – just move on.

Now there's a thought – I wonder if any other forums would have me?

Andrew

Postscript: The guitar analogy isn't a good one, as guitars don't vary that much in size compared to an instrument lathe (50mm centre height) versus a large industrial lathe (500mm centre height).

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I'm going to come back to my shed comment again 'cos I've just been doing some quick calcs and the whole 5k doesn't get me a very big shed as it seems to cost £150 /m2 without allowing for the ends. eeek.

I think the car analogy is fairly apt as while lots of us can't afford a new car that doesn't mean the only alternative is a 40yr old wreck. You can find cars and milling machines just a few years old at a reasonable discount on the new price,
For example the popular on here VMC mill and older Bridgeports are seen at sub £2k as is a >10×24 lathe whether it is a far eastern one or a S&B 1024. So it is possible to get a fair sized set up for £4k leaving a bit for tooling and insulating the garage (since you can't afford a new shed too).

[PlasmaParticipant @plasma]

To be honest there is more than enough information both on this forum and the web in general to answer the vague question posed.

I have lots of machinery and tooling and still I can find more bits to buy every chance I get. 5k really won't get you terribly far if you're serious about engineering.

If you just want to dabble then a decent pillar drill, small vertical mill and a nice 2nd hand lathe would be the minimum and would start to gobble up your 5k in no time when tooling is factored in.

I also stopped adding my stuff up when I hit 40k and came over all faint.

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 10/03/2019 13:56:52:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 10/03/2019 12:47:21:

……………….. – just move on.

Now there's a thought – I wonder if any other forums would have me?

Andrew

Postscript: The guitar analogy isn't a good one, as guitars don't vary that much in size compared to an instrument lathe (50mm centre height) versus a large industrial lathe (500mm centre height).

Andrew,

While I tend to agree with most of your posts I am afraid your PS in the context of what Neil wrote is way off the mark. If some one wanted to play classical music for example they wouldn't want a strat! Technique for playing various styles is not successfully transferable across different instruments designed for different purposes. In the big picture it's a reasonable analogy.

To others busy adding up the value of their sheds – remember there is a big difference between perceived value and real value! For example try getting a dealer in to buy the contents from you and see what you get (or don't get!). For insurance to guard against your whole shed disappearing then new values are reasonable (which will probably be tweaked by the loss adjuster) if you have to pop out on Saturday afternoon to replace everything. The real value you can get on the open market for your treasures between willing buyer and seller is likely to be somewhat different!

Finally I agree these questions as per the OP are really unanswerable, an opinion I have posted before. Too many variables to even begin to quantify. It's natural I think that people with no previous experience will continue to post these questions as they don't have any knowledge of experience on which to base their choice. The correct polite response to encourage new people is to point out the top level considerations like size, accuracy desired and existing skill level and leave it there with no mention of brand names. Or politely suggest a search of previous posts as some do.

There is more than enough tosh on this forum on which lathe or mill is best, will hold microns of accuracy over 6', will take 6" cuts at 25million rpm with a bangood Carlos Fandango tool to drive anyone mad! Plain fact is there is a lot of very high quality stuff turned out by people on mediocre machines, buying the best machines in the world isn't going to gaurantee high quality if you don't know how to use them! The one thing that is guaranteed is you will learn a lot more about how to do stuff on a machine with a bit of wear which is a good idea because sooner or later your new machine will be worn too!

Paul.

[Anonymous]

Posted by Paul Kemp on 10/03/2019 15:49:25:

While I tend to agree with most of your posts I am afraid your PS in the context of what Neil wrote is way off the mark.

I appreciate that different styles of music require different guitars with their own features. But I specifically referred to size. I'm not aware that playing one style of music as opposed to another requires a guitar that is ten times the size of the first? Depending upon what one wants to machine it would be quite easy to need a lathe that is ten or more times the size of another lathe.

Andrew

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