Axminster/Sieg/Clarke lathe – all the same?

[asimpleparsonParticipant @asimpleparson]

Just some thoughts that may or may not be helpful?

As a beginner I went for the Axminster C2. Reasons?

It's not a fly-by-night company, and has a shop within 50 miles of me (although I had mine delivered). The size, heft, and extra weight of the box it came in made it a two man lift until I unboxed it.

As I said, I'm a beginner so I didn't worry about the finer details, I just wanted to start cutting metal without a great deal of fuss, so I jumped in and any issues I'll correct as I go. First thing I did was order two cans of the correct paint colour for the cream/blue scheme to touch in the rough areas. It maters not a jot to the function.

Support from Axminster has been excellent, and the whole process of ordering, delivery and subsequent comms with the company very smooth.

I intend using it exclusively for several years until I come to the point when I will buy into the next size up and my C2 will be either relegated to a second machine, perhaps being set up for specific tasks, or sold on (they tend to hold their value quite well, and prices surely will only steadily increase on new machines),

Mine only has a 250w motor, but as a beginner I doubt I'll notice that as I'll not be taxing it that hard. I don't think I will get the benefit of a brushless 500w for what I do with it. With some TLC and a bit of time and effort they go from cosmetically basic, to quite nice (in my eyes).

There is a vast amount of modifications that can be made too, if tinkering is your thing.

From what I've read and seen, superb work was done in the past by owners of far inferior lathes, so I would just pick one of the established companies, and just enjoy whatever you buy.

SP.

[Henry BrownParticipant @henrybrown95529]

I bought a ex-display SX4 mill from Axminster at the beginning of the year and after about 10 minutes running the electrics failed and on clocking the column was about 0.25mm out of upright. I contacted Axminster who insisted I returned the machine and it would be replaced but that would take about two months to suit their transport, I was far from happy but had to accept the situation. The driver who delivered and collected the mill, and delivered the replacement couldn't have been more helpful and we were on first name terms by the second visit.

Eventually the replacement machine came and while everything worked the column was also out of upright by the same amount and they had cobbled together a guard that fell off after a couple of uses. The machine was also very dirty compared to the first. It had supposedly been checked by their commissioning people but that was clearly rubbish. After more heated discusion with Axminster, as high as Sales Director level, I received a new guard and a £75 sweetener and some detailed instructions on how to correct the column, exactly as I would have done but I wanted it in writing in case anything else went wrong.

The £75 was used towards the purchase of a power feed from them, which is ok, but I managed to trap the cable that went from the box to the limit switch that somehow blew the PCB and the bulb in the machine work light. I contacted Axminster enquiring the cost of a replacement PCB as it was my fault and was told that as it was still under guaranttee it would be replaced FOC, the board arrived next day and is now working perfectly.

So, a mixed bag with Axminster, overall the machine is now fine and at the time it was all that was available to suit my needs. Looking back I feel Axminster were fair, except for the delivery of the machine and the rubbish they spouted about their quality checks. I'm about to replace my Myford S7 with a larger lathe, I have considered Axminster but there is noting suitable in their range presently, I get the feeling they are moving away from metalworking machines, so will probably go with the Warco WM280V or 290V when the Myford is sold.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by asimpleparson on 22/12/2019 10:54:32:

…

As a beginner I went for the Axminster C2. Reasons?

…

Mine only has a 250w motor, but as a beginner I doubt I'll notice that as I'll not be taxing it that hard. I don't think I will get the benefit of a brushless 500w for what I do with it.

…

SP.

Nothing wrong with buying from Axminster – more expensive, but the price includes an extended warranty. It's not just the machine, peace of mind has value too.

Motors are another thoroughly blurred and confusing area. Your 250W motor might be identical to that fitted to the Clarke 300. Same motor, but one vendor specifies output power, while the other specifies input power. Either way the 110Vdc motors fitted to mini-lathes are a good solution, certainly superior to the single phase ac motors fitted to Myfords! (More torque and less vibration.) It may not matter much – being fitted with the worst possible electric motor hasn't ruined the aspirations of Myford owners.

A powerful brushless motor is undoubtedly a 'good thing', but I wouldn't insist on it! In practice, 250W is on the low side but – treated with respect – it will do the job. A heavy handed worker in a hurry would want more power, but it's easy for such chaps to slip from sensible cutting into machine abuse! And then there's accidental damage: a full-speed 800W head crash will almost certainly break something that 250W wouldn't. With great power comes great responsibility.

No disrespect to chaps who enjoy browsing specifications and getting the best possible bargain, but with hobby lathes I think it's mostly wasted effort. I'm the same with wristwatches, I don't bother looking for the best possible alternative to a Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 I can afford, I nip into a handy Argos and buy whatever takes my fancy. Any gents watch costing more than about £50 will keep good time, last several years, and be reasonably water-resistant. Be warned though, I dress like a tramp…

Dave

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I don’t think ‘beginner’ is a requirement for particularly determining the choice of machine.

The size, heft, and extra weight of the box it came in made it a two man lift

Dunno if it came in a huge crate, but the ARC site gives 40kg as gross weight for the SC2 (heavier than a C2?), so not exactly hefty! Not exactly needing a ‘two man’ lift, I would have thought – but there again I was brought up with cwt bags, not these wimpish ‘elf’n’safety’ guidelines. A rigid cardboard box comes to mind as packaging.

Less than an hour, tootling along, gets me to a very pleasant visit at ARC. It has always been a good half-day out – even though I tend to spend too much. Never been to Warco, but always had good service from them.

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

I have never bought a lathe or mill from Axminster and with their pricing never likely to, I just dont understand their pricing policy.

Examples from this thread: Axminster price for the SC2 lathe is £150 more than the same machine from ARC and a whopping £500 more for the SC4 lathe than ARC charge.

Some say that the extra cost covers the 3 year extended warranty, well £500 is around a third of the cost of a SC4. So £500 for an extra 2 years cover, we all like peace of mind but for me not at that price.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by not done it yet on 22/12/2019 12:42:00:

…

The size, heft, and extra weight of the box it came in made it a two man lift

Dunno if it came in a huge crate, but the ARC site gives 40kg as gross weight for the SC2 (heavier than a C2?), so not exactly hefty! Not exactly needing a ‘two man’ lift, I would have thought – but there again I was brought up with cwt bags, not these wimpish ‘elf’n’safety’ guidelines. …

I'd pay money to watch NDIY lift an SC2 in it's packaging from floor level on to a bench! While the weight is well within the range of a moderately fit man, it's an unbalanced load in an unwieldy plywood box, possibly strapped to a small pallet. Definitely a tad hazardous. As two weaklings can easily lift it, why risk a hernia?

The essence of H&S is addressing the risk. It's done by looking at the problem in hand, not by taking the advice of a chap gauging it against his experience moving a different type of weight in his youth. Just because I could once run 10 miles without needing an ambulance, doesn't mean NDIY can do it today!

Dave

[asimpleparsonParticipant @asimpleparson]

I have to heartily agree with you SOD, it was indeed in a ply box, strapped to a pallet, and would have been a very awkward lift indeed. Very well protected though. I recycled the packaging.

If my back goes I can't go to work, and I really like my work, (it's the only place I get a quiet cup of tea!) so I always try to share the load (there's usually a 'Dave' about who can help out). I'm not in the business of making life hard just for man points! I can happily lift it now, but it's a lot closer into my body without it's packaging, and I can squat next to it and use my thighs rather than my back.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Or

Amadeal CJ18A 550w motor £475

Amadeal AMA-LA-714BWE 500w brushless motor £585

I believe post is free.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Ron Laden on 21/12/2019 17:11:51:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 21/12/2019 16:35:25:

I'd also caution that a mini lathe with a 100mm flange can't take many standard accessories, while a mini lathe with an 80mm flange can take 100mm chucks etc. with a backplate.

Neil

Neil, you have lost me a bit there, my mini lathe came with a 100mm flange and the 100mm chucks fit direct with no need for a backplate…? what standard accessories wont they take..?

I see 100mm flange faceplates are available, but their mounting slots are very short, potentially limiting their usefulness. But my main point is that with 100mm you cut yourself off from much cheaper 80mm accessories.

The 'standard' 80mm three, four (sc & independent) chucks, ER collet holders and Faceplate are all readily available and, significantly cheaper than 100mm versions which tend to be both heavier and more restricted in terms of working space and access over the cross slide.

I understand SIEG were initially reluctant to supply 100mm flange versions as they felt it was overloading the lathe. That said I am happy with a 100mm 3-jaw on my 80mm flange CL300M but I have done the roller bearing conversion but I still use my 80mm SC chuck from time to time.

Admittedly you could fit an 100mm to 80m reducing backplate to a 100mm minilathe…

Neil

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

I had exactly the same questions about 2 years ago before I bought my lathe.

I eventually decided on a CJ18a lathe from Amadeal. It has a 100mm spindle and chuck and a standard 500w motor. Delivery was included in the price and it came in its original packaging strapped to a pallet within a couple of days.

I see that Amadeal do a brushless motor version now.

I am happy with it – though it lacks torque at low speeds I think it is good for the price.

The plastic carriage hand wheel broke after a few days (I think it was probably damaged in transit). I rang Amadeal about 4pm , they sent me a replacement which arrived next day.

I have bought a few small items from them since and had excellent service (next day delivery).

May be worth considering.

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Hi All,

I rang Arc today enquiring about the SC4 lathe.

I asked about sales in the North west but they were not prepared to give sales details for customers in my area, which of course for reasons of confidentiality I fully understand.

Syston is a long drive for me to view a lathe in Arc's showroom.

So could I respectfully ask is there anyone out there with an SC4 lathe who would be prepared to let me visit, view their lathe and talk informally about the pros and cons.

Could I say I am harmless and would in NO way outstay my welcome.

I live in WA3 North Warrington

Thank you Geoff

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