Lathe recommedation

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Lathe recommedation

This topic has 19 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 17 April 2021 at 18:40 by Subspace.

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8 January 2014 at 00:06 #140004
Subspace
Participant
@subspace
Hi I am a beginner looking to buy a "mini" lathe to turn small brass parts and do a bit of thread cutting. Probably looking to buy second-hand. I came across a Toyo ML210 recently but passed due to the lack of spares. Any recommendations?
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8 January 2014 at 00:06 #7002
Subspace
Participant
@subspace
9 January 2014 at 19:59 #140141
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
Bump..come on guys any advice for this chap
9 January 2014 at 20:15 #140142
Mr Moo
Participant
@mrmoo
China, believe me I hate to be the one to say this but do a search. Google is your friend! the search function on here is proper pants but a google search will show you loads and loads of returns from this site and others covering the topic to some proper depth. I know because I am in the same boat as yourself.

Happy hunting!

Ben
9 January 2014 at 20:27 #140148
Bob Perkins
Participant
@bobperkins67044
I bought a sieg lathe as a beginner. There are various capacity models and accessories available. I bought mine from Axminster but bought my sieg mill from Arc. I would recommend either as I had excellent service from both. I would happily make the same choice again. It worked pretty much straight out of the crate, don't be put of by tales of poor quality and having to rebuild them once they arrive. With the level of experience I had I wanted a ready to run machine. It may not be the best machine on the market, but it's good value for the cash I had to spend and have produced some. Good work ( well I think so). Have look in my album. Don't under estimate the tooling and bits you will need with it, I think in a couple of years I've spent more on this than the lathe. hope this is helpful. good lick with it.

Bob..
9 January 2014 at 20:37 #140149
Roderick Jenkins
Participant
@roderickjenkins93242
I'm always slightly puzzled by the concern for the lack of spares when considering a 2nd hand lathe, especially a mini lathe. What are you expecting to need to buy? There is hardly anything to break or wear out. Eventually the bed may wear but that is hardly a spares issue. The motor control system may be proprietary but alternatives will always be available to be fitted with a little adaptation. Ball bearings, if fitted will be available from a factor. Accessories from any manufacturer can be adapted. Chucks and taper fittings will be standard.

The Chinese manufacturers are always changing their models so there is no guarantee that, even if you were to buy new, spares would be available in 5 years time.

The Toyo had a reputation for being a good little lathe. If it is the right size for you then I would think that it would be an excellent choice.

HTH

Rod
9 January 2014 at 20:54 #140151
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Mr Moo on 09/01/2014 20:15:24:

China, believe me I hate to be the one to say this but do a search. Google is your friend! the search function on here is proper pants but a google search will show you loads and loads of returns from this site and others covering the topic to some proper depth. I know because I am in the same boat as yourself.

Happy hunting!

Ben

.

Ben,

Although the "stock" search box is indeed useless; David Clark kindly produced a "special" which you will find part-way down the Home Page. This one works … basically because it's just a convenient way to access a Google Search of the site.

MichaelG.
9 January 2014 at 23:31 #140171
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
Participant
@michaelwilliams41215
Worth noting that Google proper can be set up to search one specific site like this one .

Not many people ever seem to use the advanced search control functions in Google but they are very useful and I commend them to your attention .

MikeW
9 January 2014 at 23:41 #140174
Subspace
Participant
@subspace
One of the issues I had with the Toyo was I thought I would have trouble getting hold of the gears for thread cutting. I also thought from a cost point of view that buying a lathe that came with a decent amount of tools and accessories would work out cheaper in the long run than buying accessories separately down the line.

The Sieg looks like the kind of thing I am looking for, thanks.
10 January 2014 at 19:05 #140267
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
> The Chinese manufacturers are always changing their models so there is no guarantee that, even if you were to buy new, spares would be available in 5 years time.

My main use of spares has been to modify to add functions e.g. an extra handwheel that I fitted to the leadscrew. True consumables (like the toothed belt and bearings) are stock items that will still be here in 50 years time!

My Clarke Mini Lathe was bought in 1998 (so 16 years old this year) from Machine Mart. I can still do, get parts. Not long ago I bought a drive pulley for my new countershaft from Arc Euro who carry a wide range of parts, and I'm sure Machine Mart, Clarke themselves, Chester or Warco (among others) would have been able to supply.

Neil
10 January 2014 at 20:12 #140275
Jo
Participant
@jo
I am not sure why you are worried about spares…very few mini lathes will have been used so much as to need repairs.

Thread cutting… Are you really going to cut threads? Are what you are looking to cut so obscure? Most people on smaller lathes use a tailstock die holder to cut threads.

Small brass parts: Small means many things to many people. I will happily turn sub 1mm parts on my watch maker's turns that cost me £10. Then my Hobbymat or Cowells is great… Brass is easy to turn. So the question is what accuracy are you looking for?

You need to be a bit clearer in your needs, before we can suggest something. The Toyo 210 is a cracking little lathe and will knock the spots off any of the chinese cheapies everyday of the week and spares are available through Proxxon (same lathe).

Jo
11 January 2014 at 18:24 #140366
Subspace
Participant
@subspace
I collect Tilley lamps and sometimes I find lamps that are missing parts that are not easy to find replacement for.

Probably not looking to make anything larger than an inch in diameter.

Unfortunately the Toyo I was looking at is sold.
16 April 2021 at 11:27 #540011
CARMEL FENECH. CHARLES
Participant
@carmelfenech-charles44580
I have a Toyo ml-210 mini lathe, I am trying to get the screw cutting attachment for it. I've had no luck.. I've checked on the Proxxon website, but I could n't find anything.
17 April 2021 at 05:58 #540132
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
YOu would be better off posting your enquiry in a new thread as this one is 7 years old and no longer relevant. If you put Toyo and Proxxon in the headline it should get some attention from other owners. They are a nice little lathe those old Toyos, from the couple I have seen.

Edited By Hopper on 17/04/2021 06:23:46
17 April 2021 at 09:24 #540152
Bo’sun
Participant
@bosun58570
Posted by Subspace on 11/01/2014 18:24:53:

I collect Tilley lamps and sometimes I find lamps that are missing parts that are not easy to find replacement for.

Probably not looking to make anything larger than an inch in diameter.

Unfortunately the Toyo I was looking at is sold.

Good morning,

Have you tried "Base Camp" in Peterborough?
17 April 2021 at 12:34 #540193
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
Thinking in terms of a mini lathe, anyone wanting to make just small parts can cut threads using Taps and Dies, unless they want something that is a "Special".

Taps and Dies for non standard threads can be obtained. Tracy Tools carry a wide range.

If you think that the larger sizes are going to overload the motor, make a Mandrel Handle and use that to rotate the chuck by hand.

Also extremely useful when working up to a shoulder, or in a blind hole, to avoid spoiled work or broken taps..

In which case the changewheels will more likely be used to provide different feed rates.

The finest feed will be ,obtained, using 20: 80/20 :80.

With a 1.5 mm Leadscrew this will give a feed of 0.09375 mm / rev.

With a 16 tpi Leadsrew this will give a feed of 0.00391" per rev.

Howard
17 April 2021 at 12:49 #540199
Stuart Munro 1
Participant
@stuartmunro1
I have a Sherline lathe which – like your requirements – is used mostly for small components in brass and aluminium. I mention it if only to eliminate it from your search; I think its a great lathe for me but by the time you add the thread cutting attachment it can start to get a bit pricey.

So I'd probably point you to the Chinese family of mini-lathes. A bit heavier than the Sherline but with a large range of 3rd party 'generic' fittings. I chose the Sherline for size and weight; I really can stick it in the draw when finished!

Stuart
17 April 2021 at 13:15 #540207
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
Zombie thread alert. The OP was made in 2014 so he has probably made his buying decision by now, and gone on to wear out his first lathe.

The current enquiry is looking for a threading attachment for a Toyo lathe.

Edited By Hopper on 17/04/2021 13:17:07
17 April 2021 at 18:37 #540247
Subspace
Participant
@subspace
Yes I bought a Sieg C1 and it's still working although I don't use it very often.
17 April 2021 at 18:40 #540248
Subspace
Participant
@subspace
Posted by Bo'sun on 17/04/2021 09:24:42

Good morning,

Have you tried "Base Camp" in Peterborough?

Sure I've bought lots of stuff from them over the years but there are always rare lamps that are missing unobtainable parts. Sometimes when people convert them to electric and throw away parts from the original burner.
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