warco GH550, anyone bought one?

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Hello all. I know that there was a thread on these sometime back, I am thinking of getting one to replace my WM250 if anybody has one I would like their opinion of it.

Mark P.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Can't help you on that Mark; looks a nice piece of kit though. Looks as though you're wanting to move away from variable speed drive to geared head, larger bore spindle? I have the WM250V-F & can't complain, apart from the flange fitting which could do with another 5-10 mm gap. I note in the catalogue that the GH550 has the same chuck flange arrangement, would much prefer the Camlock system.

George.

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Hello George, thanks for the reply yes I’m wanting to move away from any electronic control. I’ve had my wm250 for nearly 10 years and it has given me great service, but in the last few months I have had to fit a new motor and control board it started playing up again yesterday so I think I should move to a gearhead lathe which should suit my needs hence the GH550 it’s footprint is not much bigger than the 250 so will fit in my workshop plus it has a larger spindle bore.
Mark P.

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Ahh now I've got a problem, just had a look at the GH1236 now this may a better bet,fitted DRO and camloc chuck and screwcutting gearbox for less than 3grand. Ok so it's a bit bigger but that can be catered for. Next question who has got one and what is their opinion of it?

Mark P.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Mark, fwiw…going back over have a look at…

https://youtu.be/e42wQhFi-NI

​George.

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Hello George I had a look a that earlier, looks good but…… would the GH1236 suit me better hmmm!
Mark P.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

I had a touch/feel of a 550 ( if you'll pardon the expression….) at the last Harrogate show…..After several failed attempts to get some attention, one of the Warco guys took my details and said my name would be added to the list.

Anyhow, I looked at several other machines inc the Chester offerings both off and on line, ended up with the SPG machine I have now….

What I didnt like about the 550 was :

No seperate fed shaft for power feed- powered by the lead screw….

Location of the saddle feed/cross slide fed lever

The camlock for the tailstock, handle position ….and generally how it had been implemented….

Flange fit for chucks ( the SPG lathe is Camlock….much better imho…)

Implemenation of speed change messing about with belts….( my SPG now sports a vfd and 3 ph motor… After replacing the existing dc drivetrain)

Bed length is only 550 ( mine is 700..)

Price…..( paid less than £1900 inc vfd/motor which I added)

(If I were to write an appraisal of the SPG machine it would be very biassed…..all I can say is I'm pleased with it)

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

If I was in the market from another lathe (I currently have WM290) I would probably spend the extra and get the GH1236.

For me the etras are worth it:

1) Removable gap

2) Wide bed

3) Highrer speed

4) Distange between centres bigger

5) 1.5KW motor

6) 2 axis DRO

7) Coolant system

8) Spindle brake

I know that the biggest problem may be the size and its £500 more but if you have the space then go for it

[Author]

Posts