What do I buy & from where?

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

10HP? That's 7KW ok on a dedicated feed but not quite 13A. However you should be able to manage 3HP which is as much as you would want on a hobby machine or the electric bill is going to eat your pension.

A bit of googling soon finds a few more dealers eg Premiwer machine tools, Ist machery, Project Machinery.

Dealers websites are not always kept up to date. Something I bought 18 months ago is still listed (including video) on an auctioneer's site the dealer I bought it from got it from who also has it on his site.

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

Thanks, both.
Much appreciated.

[BikepeteParticipant @bikepete]

Wise words from Bazyle: "Weigh the advice carefully. Lots of contributors get a bit carried away with recommending how to spend other people's money as it is so much easier than using your own." So true… I'm surely as guilty as any (previous post suggesting Boxford or Chipmaster)… so weigh what follows against a huge pinch of salt…

Anyway having read further replies, especially availability of lifting gear and trailer, I'm going to say forget the Boxford. It's only about twice the weight of a Myford (very roughly – 100 kg Myford, 200kg Boxford) and if you're looking to make a lasting purchase you may as well get a 'proper' lathe instead at this point, and you're in the very fortunate position of having the budget, space and transport to equip yourself with one of the very best machines out there. So think 500 kg+. As another contributor said, ideally look for toolroom type machines (hence why I mentioned the Chipmaster, also 'cos it's very compact) and ideally a hardened bed to minimise chances of major wear. Toolroom models often also have a higher top speed, useful for smaller work.

In favour of the Boxford is still the easy availability of spares, accessories and detailed advice from other owners but once you've seen one and compared it to a truly industrial machine it honestly looks a bit toy-like…

Names to look for as well as the Colchesters and bigger recent Boxfords might be Smart & Brown (Model A & the 1024), Hardinge (HLV), CVA, Holbrook, Harrison (e.g. M250/M300) and I've probably forgotten some, also I'm not sure all those will be under 5' long so check… Some or even most will have been worked hard over the decades but keep looking for one you're happy with… and don't rule out the option of good quality imports in the same weight range too if you come across one – Russian as well as far east…

Might not recommend such powerful/heavy machines to a completely raw beginner but your ML1 experience suggests you know the basics and should be able to use a full size machine safely. And as others have said, up to about 3HP (2.2kw – about as big an inverter as you can run off a standard plug) the single/three phase thing need not be a showstopping issue given a bit of spare budget.

[Raymond Sanderson 2Participant @raymondsanderson2]

Oops wrong thread sorry

 

 

Edited By Raymond Sanderson 2 on 07/07/2014 13:45:38

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

Thank you Pete.
It is all being 'inwardly digested and stored away'. Plus copious notes are being made on what I feel are particularly salient points, of many posts. Plus, I'm researching and storing, on my PC desktop [in a folder mkd Lathe] , all of the contact names which have been provided.

My great temptation is to rush out and buy.
But I've committed to having a new lathe by the end of July, so I have plenty of time to look around – see what looks good – what I feel comfortable with and what works for me. Then make some definitive moves by the end of the month. I can stretch the budget a little, if necessary, and I'm not entirely restricted by the 5'-0" length either.

I must confess that I am drawn toward something like a Harrison 140 or a Colchester Bantam.
But you have provided some names that I have not heard of – so I'll be researching those out too.

Raymond, I've sent you an Email.

Jack

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

The smart and brown 1024 gets my vote as I've got one They are very heavy!!! but lovely to use.

David

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

Smart and Brown, horse and rocking, springs to mind.

[BikepeteParticipant @bikepete]

Not common but not that rare surely? There are three S&Bs (an A and two 1024s) on ebay right now and well within his budget. There was also a good looking and well equipped Model A relisted several times recently at £650 (in Scarborough IIRC) before it eventually sold.

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

Thank you Bazyle.
You suggested several good reliable sources of machinery.
Today, following some telephone discussion, I went to High Wycombe, and spent a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile hour with Richard Brown of Project Machinery http://www.projectmachinery.co.uk
And I am now the proud owner of a 3 phase Colchester Bantam 1600 lathe, which is in very good condition with a whole host of accessories – even including the original manual/handbook, which the machine was issued with. (Oh, I also bought a single phase bandsaw, for my wood-turning activities whilst I was there too)

Thank you each, and all, for your advice, encouragement and suggestions, during the course of my search.
Very much appreciated.
Once the machine has been delivered and I have it positioned and set up, I'll be back to seek your advice again on the type and source of an inverter/converter to enable it to run off the domestic main.
Then all I'll need to do is learn how to drive it.

I'll put some photos up, once I have everything sorted

Jack

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

Well done, that should be a good choice and do every thing you need and more, a lot more.

I note it is three phase and I assume it will need a three phase supply, IF this is the dual speed version you will probably be better going for an inverter that actually outputs 415V not the ones that require the motor to run in delta, at least to retain the dual speed. This type of inverter should do the trick **LINK** .

Bob

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

Thank you Bob.
Until the M/C arrives and I can have a proper look at the motor, I don't even know if this is 1HP or 2HP.
If I'm unsure about any of the procedures, I'll engage a qualified electrician to come in and wire the M/C up for me.

Richard, quite openly and honestly, preferred not to advise on inverter/converter, as he admitted to not being familiar with what is currently available on the market. [I prefer that approach to waffle and bluffing]
He's a splendid chap to do business with.
He's going to look out for a suitable grinder for me to sharpen my tool-steel on too.
I have a grinder for my wood lathe chisels. But it won't be suitable for tool steel.

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

The type of inverter/converter will depend on the motor type, if it is a two speed motor e.g. 2 pole/4 pole then it will be problematical to convert this using a 240v singe phase to 240v three phase converter.

If the machine is single speed and the motor is marked 254-277 delta and 440-480 star then it should be straight forward to alter to delta. Worth making a note and/or take a picture of the motor plate before you put the lathe in place as it may be tricky to get to once it is in place.

That said a 240v single phase/415v three phase converter will run both a single speed and a dual speed motor with no modifications to the machine.

Another thing to remember is that if you use a 240v singe phase to 240v three phase converter then the original motor contactors will not work if they are 415v which will include any safety cut outs/ interlocks.

Also be aware that not all qualified electricians are the same, you need one that does industrial work not just domestic.

Grinders can be picked up for very little money, around £20.00, but if you intend to grind carbide tooling then you will need to change one of the wheels to one more suitable (green). I just removed the course one keeping the fine one and a green wheel for carbide, the other thing I changed on the cheap one I have is change the tool supports as they were a bit flimsy.

Bob

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

It is certainly a 2 speed motor. [it is the 1600 max. speed ~ the 800 is a single speed motor.]
That really is all I know at present. Until it arrives I'm going to assume that it is a 2HP motor, and work on the pricing figure for that.

Re the grinder:
The problem with grinding wood-turning chisels, as large as some of mine are – and conversely, as small as some are too, is that it is almost impossible to keep the edge of the wheel perfectly flat. I know thay can be diamond dressed, but that is cutting into the wheel on each occasion. I have room in the workshop for a dedicated tool-steel grinder, beside the lathe.
Yes the tool rests are manufactured from toilet paper these days – so I anticipate manufacturing some more robust ones.

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

Only a mile from where I live is a company called Shoebridge. Who specialize in rewinding and repairing all manner of industrial electric motors. They have several Colchester Master lathes in their workshop to enable them to carry out their work. So they will obvioiusly know lathes per se, and Colchesters, particularly.
I may have a chat with them. They may undertake to provide and fit an appropriate converter/inverter to enable the motor to perform with all of its functions present.
I'm sure that it won't be an insurmountable problem. Someone will be able to sort it for me.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi Jack

You should be well set up with the Bantam – a nice machine with a bit more capacity than many M/Es have . I would suggest however that you site your grinder as far away from your lathe as possible. Grinding dust is the very last thing you want anywhere near to your lathe. (Think of all that grit getting between the precision ground surfaces!)

Regards

Norman

[Jack Foreman 1Participant @jackforeman1]

Ahhh. Thank you Norman. The voice of the experienced to the mind of the novice.
Much appreciated. I didn't consider the grinding residue, and its effect upon the lathe.
I'll position it appropriately and with regard to direction too.

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