Help choosing a Chinese lathe please

[Neil Mccarthy 1Participant @neilmccarthy1]

Can anyone help me choose a Chinese lathe

[Neil Mccarthy 1Participant @neilmccarthy1]

Hi all I am new to this and I am looking at getting a Chinese lathe as I only have a small area for one so I need a worktop one. Instead of buying secondhand I want to buy new so a Chinese one seems the best way to go with it being my worst time using one. I am after making small parts that I am finding hard to source in rebuild old air rifles to start and them move on to other projects with it. There are a few on eBay going from 400-600 I want at least a 30cm distance between centres I think but I am lost at which one to buy so could anyone give any suggestions of which one and where would be best to get one.

thank you all in advance

[Old SchoolParticipant @oldschool]

Have a look at Arceuro,s Seig SC2 or SC3, i have used the my sons SC3 its a nice small lathe capable of doing real work. I think anything smaller you would struggle making parts for air rifles.

If you can visit Arceuro they have the machines on display and they are very helpful, i live local and use them regularly.

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

+1 for Sieg lathes.

If you could stretch to a SC4, they are extremely capable, otherwise I would highly recommend an SC3, I feel the SC2 could be too small for your 300mm centre distance.

Jim

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Have you done a search?

This question is asked about twice a week……..

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Not much support for the ebay route above.

It is the way to go for the vey cheapest option ….maybe.

Importation will cost extra in customs taxes, VAT, etc.

What warranty do you get from an imported lathe? Return to supplier could be an expensive operation!

What is the spares situation with one of these machines. Likely less than optimal.

Very often it is better to pay an apparent little extra to buy from a UK supplier. Especially so, if the purchaser is new to the hobby. Buying from ebay can be closely akin to buying second hand in your situation.

Arc Euro have several machines on display (lathes and mills) and can advise, supply and provide a good warranty for your purchase. They are my ‘go to’ for most of my bits and pieces purchases ( my main machines are all old English iron).

Chester Machine tools are clearly closer than ARC, but my preference would be the latter for several reasons (mesage me if you really need them). Warco are even further afield for you.

[Roger WoollettParticipant @rogerwoollett53105]

Since distance between centres is important to you remember that the quoted distance is with the chuck removed and plain centres in head and tail stocks. The maximum size of workpiece you can realistically turn may be a lot less.

As has been said Arc Euro have an excellent reputation. Their range is smaller than many of their competitors but seems to be carefully chosen.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

+1 for Arc Euro.

I went to Leicester to pick mine up from them. They tested it for basic function in front of me to ensure it was OK and Ketan (I think t'was he) spent 10 or 15 minutes answering questions and talking to me about it – and it was only a C0 baby lathe for a titchy space in some temporary accommodation.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The Seig SC2-300 would fit your requirement for 300mm minimum between centres.

If you have the space, and the cash, the SC3-400 with 400 mm centres may be the better bet, in the longer term.

Your horizons are bound to expand, so the larger machine would save changing later on.

I know of at least one Myford ML7 located across the corner of a small lobby, if that would help your space problem, but it does inhibit having longer material being passed through the mandrel.

Like many others on here, I have had only excellent service from Arc Euro Trade.

If possible, do go and visit,them just outside Leicester., where you can see the machines running, and get first hand advice.

Howard

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Hi Neil have a look a Chester machine store not to far to visit and select!

David

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Have a look at Warco site; I have a WM250V-F & a WM16 mill, can't complain, they do what I want them to do so quite satisfactory for my needs.

George.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Do look at the UK suppliers, you do get support, easy access to spares and a warranty, plus some of the machines online that appear a real bargain may be ones that failed QC or are lower specs – mini-lathes have evolved a lot over 20 years.

Neil

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

There is an excellent web site dedicated to the small Chinese lathes, showing how to improve them and much more: **LINK**

[Neil Mccarthy 1Participant @neilmccarthy1]

Thank you for all of the advice I will take it all on board and have a look in the Chester one first and get to grips with what I need

thank you all again

[Neil Mccarthy 1Participant @neilmccarthy1]

Hi has anyone had a myford lathe m1 I have seen one local at a good price

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

the OP looks for a new Chinese, presumably mini, lathe.

In comparison, a Myford ML1 will be a lot less versatile, and much older, certainly dating from the early 40s, or before. The dial graduations are not a straightforward 0.001"/ division. Very much a training lathe, in my book.

And would probably need some fettling to bring into really good order Some wear is bound to be evident, if only in the plain bearing Headstock, so a good project for some one..

Although, in the right hands, good work can be produced on them, not a good first choice for a newbie!

Given the choice, unless money was very tight, I know which would be selected!

Howard

[Neil Mccarthy 1Participant @neilmccarthy1]

Hi

looks like a choice between these 2 at the moment

**LINK**

**LINK**

has anyone got any advice on which one would be best for a beginner to get please

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Whilst you may be daunted at the prospect of cutting threads on a lathe at the moment, you may well feel the need as you get more proficient and experienced.
This might be particularly important when restoring old items.
Are the airguns you work on imperial or metric threads, or indeed some kind of specials occasionally?

Some mini lathes may only supply the relevant gears for either one or the other, some may come with what's needed for cutting both.

I can't advise what to buy as I've never used any of the Chinese Mini-Lathes, My stable has a Myford, a Warco Myford lookalike/cone, and a Warco gearhead; all are imperial, but I do cut metric threads as well, due to having British, Japanese and Italian motorbikes..

Maybe add Warco and Seig to your list.

Also, please don't get confused between metric and imperial lathes, and metric/imperial screwcutting.

It's perfectly possible to cut metric threads on an imperial lathe, and vice versa, depending on what gears are supplied/available. I guess the choice between metric and imperial lathes themselves, depends on what measuring system you prefer, though I'm sure others will chip in with their own views on that one.

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 02/09/2019 20:07:43

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Posted by 34046 on 02/09/2019 20:24:11:

Howard Lewis gives you good advice with the SIEG SC3 – 400 at £675

I looked at all makes before buying and went with the SC3 as the best buy.

Can you get fixed steadies, moving steadies, for example, also milling attachment so you can mill in the lathe – ie are they available for the Clarke and the Chester as they are the Sieg,

Just a thought.

Bill

The Clarke CL500M has a fixed and moving steady, Face plate, 3 and 4 jaw chucks, machine block a compound slide and four way tool post, a set of gears for metric and english thread cutting.

Martin P

Edited By 34046 on 02/09/2019 20:26:03

 

Edited By martin perman on 02/09/2019 20:39:58

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Neil Mccarthy 1 on 02/09/2019 19:35:05:

Hi

 

looks like a choice between these 2 at the moment

 

**LINK**

 

**LINK**

has anyone got any advice on which one would be best for a beginner to get please

The two lathes are similar, both based on the same design, and possibly even from the same factory. The Chester version has a Brushless motor, considered a "good thing", and – although power specifications can be misleading – on the face of it the motor is more powerful. The Chester is also 5kg heavier, a hint it's a bit stiffer.

More than 10 years since I compared mini-lathes but back then I got the impression MachineMart were a little expensive compared with the competition, but – who knows – their lathes may be assembled to a slightly higher standard. This is why the forum are nervous about buying direct from China: there are some duds about, and sorting it out might be difficult. Buying from a British importer protects you against that because they'll replace a wrong-un or refund your money.

Watch out comparing prices, for example I think Chester's price excludes VAT and Delivery, MachineMart exclude delivery, while Warco prices always include VAT and delivery. Also worth checking the accessories included: looks like Chester are a little more generous. Also, sometimes discounts are to be had, or the Imperial version is cheaper than the Metric, or the machine you choose is out-of-stock.

When it arrives you may find the machine is a little rough. If it goes wrong, ArcEuro probably have the best reputation for service, and I've had good service from Warco. MachineMart carry spares and I don't recall lots of complaints about their nachines. Axminster cost more but you get a 2 year warranty. I don't think any of the UK suppliers have an 'avoid' reputation, or that any of their offerings have a killer advantage.

In practice the machines are so similar it probably won't matter which you buy.

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 02/09/2019 21:06:16

[Neil Mccarthy 1Participant @neilmccarthy1]

Thank you everyone I have added the SIEG c3 to my list now as well

[Author]

Posts