Browser
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 07:13 PM |
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Centre lathes
I'm kinda-sorta looking at getting one and was wondering if anyone on here owned one, if there's any to avoid or any to look out for.
I'm looking 'cos I used to be able to access the Ajax at work (about 1.5m between centres I think so quite useful) but someone at another
site had an accident and now they've completely knee-jerked and are clamping down on useage for 'government' work. In addition to
this I've been looking for a bit anywhay as it'd be so useful to have at home, trouble is I've got space for a small hobby machine
but want something like a Harrison M300
There are plenty of Myfords on Ebay but I feel you can end up paying for the name if your not careful. I keep looking at pre or just post-WWII stuff
as well but would like metric screw cutting capability and don't know how I'd get on with the metric scaling on the slides as I am a post
'71 child and learned on one o' them new-fanlged things
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JB
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 07:27 PM |
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Lathes
Look for a Harrison, Boxford or Cholchster ex school or college. Myfords are more suited for model engineers and you will pay more. I also think they
are too small for general car stuff.
I have a Harrison and its great. I could not have built my car without it. Sorry but I cant remember the actual model.
Boring out my lower wishbone balljoint housing after welding.
John
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khm
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 07:47 PM |
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If you want any advice let me know as this is our business, when not playing with cars !! As JB say's i think a myford / Boxford would be too
small for you & would soon grow out of it, depending on how much you want to spend will depend on what sort of machine you will get but make sure
it has a Norton box for screw cutting if you go for an older type machine - ie. colchester student mk1 or mk2. also you will have to find a single
phase machine or you can run through a convertor. hope this helps a bit !!
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Wadders
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 07:53 PM |
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Looks like an L5 Mk2 John, i have the slightly later L5A, and agree they're cracking machines
The beds were induction hardened and tend to last well. Mines a 1958 model and still capable of precision work. Perfect size for home use if car stuff
is your thang. Although they do weigh in the region of 600kg, so not as easy to transport as a myford.
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khm
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 07:55 PM |
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Yes definetly an L5, always good to get a gap bed as well for swinging bigger jobs.
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JB
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 08:30 PM |
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L5 sounds familier. Very adaptable machine. 2 friends have Boxfords and I do feel they are a bit small. Make sure the mandrel (the hole in the tube
behind the chuck) is at least 1" otherwise you will be compromised to just what you can easilly do.
That lathe came up 3 steps through a normal width door...............
See the door in the back corner, the lathe went up there.
John
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BenB
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| posted on 19/11/06 at 08:41 PM |
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You doing corner weights on Bond's Vanquish again?
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NS Dev
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| posted on 20/11/06 at 09:19 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Browser
I'm kinda-sorta looking at getting one and was wondering if anyone on here owned one, if there's any to avoid or any to look out for.
I'm looking 'cos I used to be able to access the Ajax at work (about 1.5m between centres I think so quite useful) but someone at another
site had an accident and now they've completely knee-jerked and are clamping down on useage for 'government' work. In addition to
this I've been looking for a bit anywhay as it'd be so useful to have at home, trouble is I've got space for a small hobby machine
but want something like a Harrison M300
There are plenty of Myfords on Ebay but I feel you can end up paying for the name if your not careful. I keep looking at pre or just post-WWII stuff
as well but would like metric screw cutting capability and don't know how I'd get on with the metric scaling on the slides as I am a post
'71 child and learned on one o' them new-fanlged things
Old Colchesters are SUPERB!
Look out for a roundhead student or master. These are the ones with a rounded cover over the belt drive end. Look on www.lathes.co.uk for details, but
most of them had metric AND imperial screwcutting as std built in with no gear changing etc, really good range of speeds, built like brick outhouses,
really not much to fault on them.
Paid £100 delivered for my, admittedly rather worn out, Colchester 6.5" master gap-bed jobbie (which will machine a 13" wheel rim which is
useful! )
cheers
Nat
Retro RWD is the way forward...........automotive fabrication, car restoration, sheetmetal work, engine conversion
retro car restoration and tuning
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Browser
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| posted on 20/11/06 at 10:18 PM |
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Thnaks for the replies chaps. I keep watching on Ebay to see what turns up (s'cuse the pun) and there's plenty, I just need the money
fairy to drop £500 in my lap and I'll be away.
Oh, I also need to reinforce the shed (12ft x 8ft) floor, as that's where it'll be going
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DEAN C.
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| posted on 25/11/06 at 10:32 PM |
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I have a Colchester student as well running through a three phase converter,love it to bits and wouldn't part with it for anything.
Harrisons are probably slightly better due the clutch set up but they are both the dogs danglies in the garage sized lathe department.
Once I've finished a project why do I start another?
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 09:47 AM |
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Just don't under-estimate the weight of one of these lathes - my Colchester Student Mk1 weighs roughly half a ton (i.e. just a little less than
my Locost).
Mine cost me £200, then £100 for a local professional machine-moving company to transport it 15 miles and bring it into my garage - I thought that was
a bargain, as they are big awkward beasts to move if you don't know the clever tricks for balancing, etc.
I wouldn't be without it, though.
David
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Gav
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 10:47 AM |
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gotta say i couldnt imagine building mine without a lathe!
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 01:14 PM |
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Oh - another thing - if you buy one of this big old lathes make sure that you get all the accessories (3- & 4-jaw chucks, travelling & fixed
steadies, and so on). Mine came with a full set included, but they are fearfully expensive on the 2nd-hand market.
David
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Wadders
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 02:11 PM |
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I bought my Harrison from a retired engineer, who showed me a great trick for loading heavy machines into the back of a van with minimal
effort/equipment. Two long planks of approx 7" x 3" timber laid with a slight gap between to form a ramp into the van, with enough length
inside the van for the lathe to sit on ( 5' or so.) Nail a peice of angle iron or similar across the ends of the planks and attach a block and
tackle. using 3 short lengths of solid bar as rollers, drag the machine up the ramps. when it gets past the pivot point, the planks tip up and the
machine is in. You need at leat two people, but three is better as lathes etc tend to be very top heavy and someone steadying it as its dragged up,
adds a bit of security. Getting it out is a reversal of the process. I didn't have far to bring mine so left the planks in place with the back
doors open. Egyptian ingenuity at its finest.
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Just don't under-estimate the weight of one of these lathes - my Colchester Student Mk1 weighs roughly half a ton (i.e. just a little less than
my Locost).
Mine cost me £200, then £100 for a local professional machine-moving company to transport it 15 miles and bring it into my garage - I thought that was
a bargain, as they are big awkward beasts to move if you don't know the clever tricks for balancing, etc.
I wouldn't be without it, though.
David
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Alan B
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| posted on 27/11/06 at 03:24 PM |
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I agree with the Myford comments...small and overpriced...Boxford only slightly better. You really can't go far wrong with Colchester or
Harrison, both are great makes.
I have a Mazak, around 10" centre height and 60" between centres, so it's actually a bit big for many jobs, so I could use a smaller
one (to supplement of course.....not replace)
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bass
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| posted on 3/12/06 at 06:27 PM |
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lathe
yes the bigger the better, mines a colchester triumph 2000. weight 1.5 ton. 7 horse motor .you can get all the tipped turning tools cheap,spun my mini
pickup wheels on it to polish them (put them in the dishwasher first)
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Browser
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| posted on 7/12/06 at 07:57 PM |
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Effing typical! Missed out on a cheap Smart And Brown on Ebay the other day 'cos I couldn't be here for the last minutes of the auction to
bid. There's another one ending Sunday and guess what???? Thaaaats right, I'm f*****g-well out for the day All I can do is put
in a bid before I go and pray
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