User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 24 of 24

Thread: mini lathes

  1. #1
    Spanner Monkey

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    cambridgeshire
    Posts
    361
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts

    mini lathes

    I would quite like a lathe (amongst lots of other stuff) . However a 1 ton 3 phase proper lathe just isn't on. Any one bought a mini lathe?, do they work, any good, maybe budget of up to £500. Any one have any views/experience, should say for metal work,, thank you.

  2. #2
    Mechanic runoutofrigos's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    North London
    Posts
    651
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 30 Times in 27 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    The smallest "proper" lathe would probably be the Myford 7. It is used by many hobbyists and there are a wealth of spares and accessories available. Unfortunately, because of their popularity, they are not cheap to come by.

    Being available in single phase has definitely contributed to their popularity.

    Simon

  3. #3
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,110
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Quote Originally Posted by runoutofrigos View Post
    The smallest "proper" lathe would probably be the Myford 7. It is used by many hobbyists and there are a wealth of spares and accessories available. Unfortunately, because of their popularity, they are not cheap to come by.

    Being available in single phase has definitely contributed to their popularity.

    Simon
    also a lot of myfords are well worn, i replaced my myford with an almost new warco, not the same quality BUT because it wasnt 50 years old was unworn so much much better.

    i would suggest you buy the biggest lath you can, however big you get you seem to want bigger, i now have a 1 ton 3 phase colchester, its got enough swing over the bed, but i could do with a slightly longer lathe!!!

  4. #4
    Mechanic

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    london
    Posts
    821
    Thanks
    88
    Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    The early warco had a gap bed

  5. #5
    Racer Decade Plus User wildo105e's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Manchester
    Age
    53
    Posts
    3,150
    Thanks
    131
    Thanked 237 Times in 230 Posts

    mini lathes

    So no machine mart ones etc ?

  6. #6
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Camberley, Surrey
    Posts
    3,237
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 353 Times in 339 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Most - but not all - of the cheaper ranges of lathes and mills available are likely Chinese Sieg derived products. They are built down to a price but can be good with a little fettling but do not expect super high precision out of the box. Usual faults are inherent design flaws ie. plastic gears, dodgy electrics, poor bearings and shocking QC sometimes. But to get comparable British, German, US or similar machines you could be paying 3 - 4 times the initial cost then add tooling (applicable to anything) and costs soon mount up. I've had a Chester supplied Sieg C4 Comet lathe and a Sieg X2 mill that i've converted to CNC - they have their faults but touch wood, they are reliable, do work that is good enough for my level of expertise and didn't break the bank for what are hobby machines!

  7. #7
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Mini lathes are still pretty pricey in Oz which is a shame.

    I am currently looking at a Brunswick lathe (270 x 700) which I think is a generic Chinese lathe from the 1970s. It is 3 phase though and I only have single 240v. Has anybody got any experience of using an inverter to allow a 3 phase motor to be used via single phase? I believe there is a slight loss in torque and also the buttons/electrical on the lathe need redoing although that prob isn't a big deal as it is very analog.
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  8. #8
    Mechanic

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    london
    Posts
    821
    Thanks
    88
    Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    I saw this on ebay looked good price
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-Me...MAAOSwvQRbS3Vy

  9. #9
    Mechanic

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    london
    Posts
    821
    Thanks
    88
    Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    M1 oz can you put a 240v motor on it?

  10. #10
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Camberley, Surrey
    Posts
    3,237
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 353 Times in 339 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Quote Originally Posted by rick deregus View Post
    I saw this on ebay looked good price
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-Me...MAAOSwvQRbS3Vy
    Jack of all trades - master of none! They aren't very rigid, I'd expect it to go for £600+?

  11. #11
    Spanner Monkey

    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    North Wales
    Age
    59
    Posts
    238
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked 19 Times in 16 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Clicked on this thread after after getting my half shaft flanges turned down. I now have an interest in purchasing a lathe myself, my friend has a large Warco and has built traction engines etc, so I was thinking I bet there expensive but looking at the smaller ones I can’t believe how reasonable they are.
    Forget all the Clarke, Axminster, Draper, Sealey ones.

  12. #12
    Management Team Decade Plus User
    Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Clint's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    My 3rd Project
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Sevenoaks, Kent, United Kingdom
    Age
    54
    Posts
    925,744
    Thanks
    59
    Thanked 279 Times in 179 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    I have a nice Myford ML7 with a lot of tooling including a milling slide 2 chucks face plate £750 though I just upgraded to a bigger lathe for work.
    Cosworth Electronics / Pectel Dealer, Syvecs Dealer.
    Europes Largest Link ECU Dealer - Aim Sportline Dash and Datalogger Dealer, ECU Master for South East UK
    UK Mahle and Reinz Distributor - 3J Driveline Dealer - Corbeau Seat Dealer
    ECU & Dash packages preconfigured and custom looms made to order.
    Professional conversions - Engine Swaps - Complete Project Design
    0% Finance Available on all products and services.
    [B]Engine Parts for most makes, all Ford parts kept in stock, Pinto, Xflow, YB, V4, V6, Zetec, Dratec, Wiring Looms Plugs, Plug Kits and Loom Products, Head Refurbishment and Porting, Engine Rebuilding Services.
    w: www.shopbhp.com e: sales@shopbhp.com
    Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandshatchperformance

  13. #13
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Quote Originally Posted by rick deregus View Post
    M1 oz can you put a 240v motor on it?
    That is one of the options I am looking into. I will have to see if I can get the motor out and then hope it is a generic shape that a single phase replacement exists for. Would rather keep the lathe standard but it might not be possible...
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  14. #14
    Mechanic v8ian's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    FarFar south, any more and my feet are wet, sunny sussex
    Posts
    772
    Thanks
    16
    Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Colchester Bantam, they are getting on a bit, but super quality or if you want a bit bigger, Colchester Student, available with different bed lengths and some are Gaps, remember you can always put a small job in a big lathe, but you cant put a big job in a small lathe, the downside to that is normally bigger lathes dont have the speed for micro turning, IMHO, buy as big as you can get away with......

  15. #15
    Tyre Kicker Turbosport Subscriber

    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    derbyshire
    Posts
    31
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Re: mini lathes

    MK1 OZ
    i fitted one to a lathe my brother bought and he says its ok, 240v inverter to 400v 3phase motor,what i would say is you may loose some torque not sure but he hasn't moaned.

  16. #16
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    I decided against buying the lathe. There were too many unknowns, can the 3 phase motor be changed from star to delta, can I buy a single phase motor to match the wierd Chinese mount, how much would a converter cost. Since passing on it I regret the decision however
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  17. #17
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Camberley, Surrey
    Posts
    3,237
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 353 Times in 339 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Shame! Re the mount - even the Chinese have to follow standardised international motor frame sizes and brackets so alternatives shouldn't have been a issue - seeing some set-ups peeps have come up with on hobbyist size milling machines is eye opening ie. start with 350w 90v DC motor, progress through various treadmill motors onto 2hp 3ph AC - ingenuity unlimited.
    Another will come along and I think you'll snap it up next time!

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to katana For This Useful Post:


  19. #18
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User onecamohv's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    ireland
    Age
    38
    Posts
    1,155
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked 88 Times in 78 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    ive a 3 phase myford super 7 running on single phase through a VFD - better than it would have ever been on 3 phase as ive now infinite turning speeds through the vfd dial, working like that 5 years not a bother.
    so if your srill in the market, it will work with a VFD!

  20. #19
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    just missed out on a Colchester Student......ahhhhhhhhhhhh
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  21. #20
    Bodger

    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    uk
    Age
    56
    Posts
    168
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Any lathe is better than no lathe

  22. #21
    Bodger

    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Suffolk
    Age
    47
    Posts
    194
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts

    Re: mini lathes

    Old school lathe
    Myford there is one on Facebook for sale

  23. #22
    Tyre Kicker Turbosport Subscriber

    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    derbyshire
    Posts
    31
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Re: mini lathes

    Quote Originally Posted by MK1_Oz View Post
    I decided against buying the lathe. There were too many unknowns, can the 3 phase motor be changed from star to delta, can I buy a single phase motor to match the wierd Chinese mount, how much would a converter cost. Since passing on it I regret the decision however
    You can change 3 phase star to delta give you a bit more grunt and the right switching reverse rotation. For home use though it's a inverter.

  24. #23
    Tyre Kicker Turbosport Subscriber

    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    derbyshire
    Posts
    31
    Thanks
    15
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Re: mini lathes

    ]
    img]http://media2.turbosport.co.uk/2013/11/2018091821103209560IMG_2907.JPG[/img
    I just picked this up off a mate for a play.

  25. #24
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User MK1_Oz's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    96
    Thanked 42 Times in 40 Posts

    Re: mini lathes



    Now we can see the pic............
    1970 Mk1 Escort Tarmac Rally Car

  26. The Following User Says Thank You to MK1_Oz For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts