Posted by Howard Lewis on 29/11/2019 16:22:52:
What is the largest work ( diameter or length ) that the company envisages producing on it?
If you are not going to cut threads bigger than 12mm or 1/2" you can always use Dies and Taps. Probably quicker to set up than change wheels, and screwcutting the thread.
If it is going to be a small lathe, a simple Mandrel Handle will allow the larger threads to cut, and at a lower speed than the machine can provide.
A Norton gearbox will make setting feed rates, easier and quicker than using changewheels.
Howard
Howard,
Thanks for your message. Bearing in mind it's only an estimate, I would say 30-50mm? Happy to use taps/dies where application permits of course.
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ALL,
Many thanks for your great input. Buying a lathe is hard work!
Due to difficulty of finding the right lathe to fit the original requirement, we may end up not cutting threads at all. Especially if that calls for an elaborate setup with thread cuttting gearboxes, steady bed etc. which understandbly most of small models seem to lack. Still turning down round parts is what the majoirty of the lathe work we farm out, is. So maybe we simplify the quest to find:
– A decent, yet compact machine that can do turning of parts a joy and not a chore.
– Powerfull enough not to bog down on stainless rods.
– Small enough to fit under a bench when not in use.
– Cleverly designed to be set up and pack up in minutes.
Please share your views. I promise not to drag this any longer as I have to make a decision and place an order early next week due to looming batch of standoffs we need to produce.
So far, SC4 from Axminster is No. 1. As stated before, we need warranty and ARC won't offer any so they are out of question. Not my decision but that of my bosses, sorry.
EDIT. From an outsider standpoint.
Over the past couple of weeks I've looked at many reviews/opinion/threads online. Chester, Axminster, New Chinese, Old English etc… There are so many polarising opinions. I guess an all round ideal lathe to suit all requirements doesn't exist (or does it?). How does one make a decision not to regret it later on? It's a general question that is applicable to almost everything in life but somehow choosing a lathe appears to be an almost impossible task. A week into my modest online research I wished I didn't bother!
Shoudl have just went online, pointed at the first one to come up in search results and ordered that. Deal with all its shortcomings later… Now my head is full of new terminology and new information that makes it much harder to actually… decide! Metric, imperial, geared head or not, this, that… Gosh for an industry that has stopped evolving so long ago (and now moved fully to CNC), buying a first lathe seems an endless exercise. As soon as you're "set" on something, there is always a completely destroying review by somebody else coming. Not in this thread. Just general observation.
I honestly wish that after so many decades someone just came up with a perfect, super sturdy design, made locally in a compact package with long lasting internals that you don't need to fiddle with… Could it be any simpler? Ha!
Thanks again,
J
Edited By John Mitchell 9 on 01/12/2019 12:28:37