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New Machines

This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 20 September 2010 at 09:44 by Niloch.

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19 September 2010 at 14:05 #55912
Ken-01
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@ken-01
Hiya Every one.

I am a new member on this site, having served my time at RR when I was a youngster. I have not used a Lathe or Milling Machine since, I am now 61.

I am looking at buying a Lathe and a Milling Machine. The first limitation is the wheight the second is price. I want a machine that is no more than 60 or 70 kg and the price not much more than £1500.00p for the two.

The two that I have looked at are the Warco WM-14 Milling Machine and the WM-180 Variable speed, 7×12 Lathe. Chesters also sale the same machines but in a different colour and for about the same price and extras. I have thought about going for a larger Lathe but it’s all the extra money and wheight that as to be taken into account just to move it and park it. With help these machine can be lifted and moved by two people.

I only want to make small static steam engines and maybe the odd clock. I have looked around on the internet to see what can be made with small machines. I came across one site http://www.modelengines.info this gent’s workshop is very nice indeed, he works on small engines. The machines he has are, Taig Micro Mill, Taig Micro Lathe and a small 7″ x 8″ Lathe. I have to say he does the most brilliant work with such smaal machines.

I have read a lot on this site about bigger is better, but if a person works to the limmits of what these machine’s where built to cope with.

So could you tell me are the Lathe and Milling Machines for sale at Warco and Chesters any good. I know you get what you pay for at the end of the day.

All advice welcome and thank you all for your time in advance.

Ken
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19 September 2010 at 14:05 #5193
Ken-01
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@ken-01
19 September 2010 at 16:46 #55916
Dusty
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@dusty
Ken

I do not know if you are a member of a Model Engineering Club or not, if not I strongly recommend that you join your local Club if possible. Here you will find like minded men and sometimes ladies who will be only to willing to let you have a go on their machines. The older members of the club will also offer advice. This is very often a help in deciding what to buy. Biggest is best is not a view I subscribe to. What many who advocate this are really saying is you want a heavy rigid machine, this will help in the accuracy of the machine, generally. Having said that it is advisable to buy a machine that is capable of work larger than you anticipate doing. I do not mean a 6″ lathe to do what you have indicated you wish to make. This brings me back to my first point, if you do not want to do that, being a member of a club you will generally find someone with a machine big enough to cope with your job. Both Warco and Chesters sell machines that many Model Engineers use. I have a Warco lathe and a Chester milling machine and as you say” you gets what you pay for” If you can get to one of the Model Engineering shows where both these companies exhibit they will demonstrate their offerings and often do show deals.
19 September 2010 at 17:01 #55917
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Just be aware that a lot of stationary steam engine models hace flywheels around 9″ diameter as this is teh max a Myford can take, by going for a 7″ swing you will be restricting your choice of engines.

I have a larger warco WM280-VF and am quite happy with it, an engine crane makes it easy to move them.

Jason
19 September 2010 at 19:07 #55924
Niloch
Participant
@niloch
Hello Ken,

Decisions, decisions. Too heavy for your requirements but encouraged by Dave Fenner’s review in MEW 153 I’ve just ordered the WarcoWM18. By the way, also in the same issue is Dave Fenner’s Choosing and Assessing a Milling Machine which might be of interest to you.

I believe I’m right in saying that elsewhere on this forum Bogstandard is impressed by Chester equipment.

Don’t take too long over your decision, I needn’t remind you that VAT increases in the new year.

Edited By Niloch on 19/09/2010 19:09:04
19 September 2010 at 21:17 #55930
Richard Parsons
Participant
@richardparsons61721
Kenneth

Why the weight limit? Money – OK that I understand. May I suggest that you take a leaf from the ‘old ‘un’ work and before you decide have a read through Mr Mason’s Minnie which you will find on this site. I would suggest that you look at a second hand Myford ML10 in good nick with a good inventory. Make sure it has a Vertical Slide with it. For years vertical slide was the way Model Engineers milled things. If you are really interested in clocks check the ‘Bull wheel’ count on the ML10 I cannot remember whether it was 60 or 65 teeth (65 is useless for dividing -5×13-) but 60 is a number to conjure with. The 65 tooth bull wheel was the reason I got a Super 7 and not the Myford 4-25. In clock making a good pillar drill is much more use than a light milling machine.

Finally remember it is a hobby not an obsession and certainly not production. Sometimes figuring out how to make the thing with what you have got and making the necessary tools is the greatest fun of all.
20 September 2010 at 08:43 #55941
Bogstandard
Participant
@bogstandard
Ken,

Don’t go on my recommendations as to what supplier to choose, I only use Chester because they have always been very satisfactory for my needs and give me the backup when I require it. There are lots of other suppliers who do the same sort of thing for other people.

I know it is after the horse has bolted for some items, but I warned people many months ago on other forums of imminent large price rises .

Prices have now started to leap upwards. I noted the other day, by as much as 40% in some cases, so don’t hang around too long before making your decisions.

It has already put the new small surface grinder I was after out of my reach. I am just going to have to refurbish my old one now, a job I can really do without.

Bogs
20 September 2010 at 09:44 #55945
Niloch
Participant
@niloch
Hello again Ken,

Have you noticed that there is a used VM14 mill – I think the vendor must mean WM14 – for sale by a Mr. John Baldry in the classifieds on your left here. The current price of a new WM14 is £675 inclusive of delivery. It weighs in at 60Kg.
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