Lathe selection

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

I am having my shed "stretched" to accommodate a new lathe. Subject to an eyeballs on view at the forthcoming Harrogate show I was contemplating a Warco WM240 but with the shed suitably modified I will be able to comfortably accommodate the larger WM250V-F. I would like a little advice as I need to get the shed right before the machinery is delivered.

So number one, if you have one of these bench lathes or something very similar, what would you say is the ideal height of the bench for comfortable working at one of these lathes given that I am six foot tall?

And number two, I have read that the control boards on these imported variable speed lathes are unreliable. I am also reading that at the lower speeds the motors overheat and this can also fry the 'lectrics. Maybe I have been reading old reports? …….I am not sure. But my concern is: what appears to be a demand for the newer belt drive versions of these types of lathe may reflect consumer reluctance in purchasing potentially troublesome machinery that is electronically speed controlled.

Rik

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

……getting it right!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I have the slightly larger 280V-F which is on the supplied stand plus 2 layers of 22mm ply giving a height of 775mm to the underside of the drip tray. Its about right for me at 5' 10" so you may want to go to around the 825mm mark or a touch more.

In the 4 or so years that I have had the lathe I've not noticed any heat problems when doing large diameter work or threading which need the slower speed, very slight loss of torque on 9 – 10" iron castings but will still take 0.025" cuts without stalling.

I did need a set of brushes about 18months ago and earlier this year the speed control pot on the front went, about £10 to replace.

J

[ianjParticipant @ians]

Hi.

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the cross slide hand wheel should be at elbow height, just checked my ML7R on It's industrial stand & give or take 10mm thats what it's at.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi Rik

Have you considered the purpose made stand    or  stand  for this lathe?

Norman

Edited By NJH on 15/04/2013 19:59:04

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Make it 4 inches higher than any number you first decide on. It is easy to stand on some duckboards but hard to saw 4 inches off your legs.

Looking at that metal stand how about 3 off 2 draw filing cabinets, with some layers of ply on top to spread the load and maybe some ply screwed to the sides and in between to dampen vibration noise.

[Peter TuckerParticipant @petertucker86088]

Hi Ric,

My lath height to centre of chuck is 4’ 3¹/₂”, and to centre of hand wheel 3’ 7”. I find this convenient, but I am 4¹/₂" taller than you.

Hope this helps.

Peter.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Interesting this. I've just checked my lathe and the center hight is about my elbow , but I think it is to low ! Would go for the idea of making it higher than you think and using a duck board.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Hi Rik

I have a Warco 250V-F on stands that I bought at the Harrogate exhib' last year & I bought the stand with it as part of a package deal, I'm sure these stands were made to suit the average height of the far eastern male(female ?) as I am a short a***se at 5' 7" & have found that I have a need to stoop to see what I am doing ,( unless it's my eyes that need to be sorted?) which tend to give me backache so if I were you I would set you height so that you can operate your saddle & X slide handwheels without having to stoop over. IIRC my saddle handwheel centre is approx' 895 mm from the floor & the X slide handwheel centre is approx' 990 mm..so I would suggest that you raise the machine by another 100 – 150 mm or possibly even 200mm to suit your height, as suggested if it's too high you can always make a duckboard. As it is the stand supplied is too low for the average 'European' height.

As for the 'lectrics' I can honestly say I have had no bother with them (touch wood!) mind you I have had no reason to run it at low speed, I generally run it at over 300rpm to suit MS & the type of tool I use( in the 400 t0 560 range) & more for brass & ally' ..ooops I've just remembered I did run it at approx' 150 – 210 rpm on some large CI casting & it handled it quite well. The only time I blew a fuse was when I first tried it out ..tried to be too greedy & stuck a hefty DOC on.. it didn't like it!..just treat it with consideration & it will do what you want it to….Hmmm where have I heard that before..ah yes! something to do with the female species..

cheers

George

Edited By mechman48 on 26/04/2013 01:32:22

Edited By mechman48 on 26/04/2013 01:50:30

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

I have a WM250. I would suggest mounting it high rather than low. If too high you can use duck boards, if too low the back ache will never go away! I visited Warco and had a good measure up and settled for the hieight the lathes were displayed at. This was height of stand plus the wheeled chassis they use. So far, I have been pleased with my choice. SteveW

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