Warco Gearhead Lathes

[Chris46Participant @chris46]

Hi Folks

I am very new to this hobby after too many years doing other things.  I am setting up a workshop and am looking at the Warco Gearhead lathe.  I’d be grateful for any views/comments/experiences on this subject, please.  Chris

[Chris46Participant @chris46]

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

I have heard they are very noisy, but that is the only negative thing I heard about them but it was enough to put me off.

[Dinosaur EngineerParticipant @dinosaurengineer]

Geared head M/Cs are invariably noisier than belt drive M/Cs.Most G/H lathes have spur gears which will “howl” at speed . For this reason most car gearboxes have helical gears in the critical areas but of course helical gears are more expensive.Even Helical gears will be noisier than belt drive.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Having had a geared head Emco for many years I did not find the noise an issue but I don’t know whet the Warco gears are made from the Emco were 1″ thick tufnol type material. I’d always go for a bit of noise and the ability to change gears with the flick of a lever rather than having to change belts.

 

I now hace a variable speed Warco WM280VF which is very quiet, most noise coming from the gear train to the feed screw.

 

Bogs has a chester similar to the Warco 1224 so should be able to comment on volume.

 

Jason

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

When I first got my new lathe, the gearbox screamed, even at fairly low speeds.

 

After two years of use, and regular oil changes, the noise has reduced by at least 50%. The first couple of changes, when I dragged a magnet thru the old oil, it was full of very fine needle like swarf. Recently, nothing, so it looks like the gears have now bedded themselves in.

 

Bogs

 

 

[Nick Prescott 1Participant @nickprescott1]

I have a Warco 1224 and can’t say I find it noisy. I am also very new to (model) engineering so haven’t got anything to compare it with, but I have been very happy with my lathe. The only problems I have had have been of my own making (beginners/inexperieced users mistakes). The test sheet that came with the lathe showed that it had substantially exceeded all the tolerances expected, and this concurred with a review of a Warco lathe in one of the model engineering magazines I read before I bought my lathe. I also went to one of the shows and introduced myself to the team at Warco – I found them very helpful (which can’t always be said) and years later when I see them, they are still friendly and recognise me – something of the personal touch.

 

The only advice I would presume to offer on the subject is buy the longest bed/largest lathe you can afford unless you know for certain you only plan to do very small work. I bought my lathe and milling machine (Warco VMC) and then bought the plans for the 1/3 scale traction engine I plan to build (big parts nothing ‘fiddly’) but then realised there are some parts my machinery is just too small to make. 

 

Good luck!

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

I have a Warco GH1330, the gearbox does produce some noise but then so will any gear driven machine. Using high quality gear oil will substantially reduce noise and wear.

I would reiterate Nicks comment regarding lathe size, when I first looked at the GH1330 I thought it may be overkill however, the extra be length and a gap bed have already proved very advantageous. As to the accuracy, I ave run my own tests as the machine was ex demo and therefore was missing its test report however, I have found that all parameters are within specified tolerances and the machine is an absolute pleasure to use.

[Chris46Participant @chris46]

Thanks guys.  Your comments are very useful.  I was planning on the GH1224, but may have to go to the larger one, as I too plan to build ‘big’ in the future.

I have also spoken to the Warco people who seem very friendly and knowledgeable.

[CrabtreeengineerParticipant @crabtreeengineer]

I know this thread is a few years old but felt I had to contribute. I have three Warco lathes, a big 1660 & two 1300 series gear heads. One a 1322 & the other a 1330. I think it's down to luck as far as noise is concerned. The 1322 is reasonable quite but the 1330 is indeed quite noisy. As has been said before they get better as they wear in & good gear oil helps. As to the quality, well they just can not be faulted. Mine are now several years old & used on a Profesional basis. The only problems in the best part of 10 years has been a burnt out start up capacitor. Warco had one on the way via next mail. Compare that to some other manufactures/suppliers who seem to struggle to answer Email. One draw back with the 1300 series is that they are slated as being supplied with a 1 1/2 inch hollow mandrel. Yes they are 1/12 inch at each end of the mandrel, but will not allow 1 1/2 inch to pass through. This can easiely be resolved by pilot boring the mandrel in situ on your lathe. I can offer this service country wide Email me for further info. Regards R

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