Rust on New Lathe

[John McCullaParticipant @johnmcculla]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, so please forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place.

I recently purchased my first lathe, a Warco 250V, and it arrived today. Unfortunately when I opened the box up the bed has what looks to me to be a significant amount of rust on it. My question is this, should I settle for cleaning the rust off or would I be a fool not to push for a replacement machine?

[John McCullaParticipant @johnmcculla]

New lathe arrived with rust on the bed

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

before doing anything physical I'd contact them and send some pictures. If you start any rectification it can invalidate the warranty, although by all accounts Warco are respectable

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Definitely speak to Warco asap

Tony

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

normally Chinese goods arrive coated in yellowish ‘chicken fat’

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

If you're asking for an opinion on this a photo is essential, one persons opinion of bad condition could be seen as nothing serious to someone else.

[JellyParticipant @jelly]

There should 100% not be rust on the machine if it's brand new.

.

But (without seeing pictures, in which it may in fact be blatantly obvious rust) if it's just a slight yellow/orange bloom to the machined surfaces, then to avoid a red face I would wipe over a little patch with some white spirit on a rag, or otherwise somehow satisfy myself that it's not just a particularly grim looking cosmoline (other rust protective greases are available) application.

So as to spare a red face when asking the supplier "why the [explietive]-ing [explietive] have you delivered a rusty machine to me".

.

That said if it appears to be just surface rust without any pitting, I would be inclined to:

• Ask for a partial refund, or some accessories you would like but couldn't justify with the original purchase (say additional toolholders, an additional type of chuck, or a goodly discount on the DRO?) by way of rectification…
• Then remove the rust with some OOOO wire wool and light oil, and finally…
• Spend years enjoying the additional cash and/or accessories.

Edited By Jelly on 08/11/2022 21:17:49

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

If the lathe wasn't new, I would recommend simply rubbing the rust off with oily wire wool. Any stains left will be simply cosmetic, avoid abrasives like scotchbrite and wet and dry paper.

 Be polite to whoever you get in touch with and they will be much more likely to put things right without bother.

Edited By old mart on 08/11/2022 21:20:21

[John McCullaParticipant @johnmcculla]

I've attached some photos, it definitely seems to be rust.

It's a brand new lathe, not second hand.

I've already spoken to Warco, they asked me to send them some photos in an email and they'd get back to me. I guess what I'm wondering is should I push for a new lathe or would be fine to just clean it down with wire wool as already discussed. I'm totally new to using a lathe, and I don't want to end up putting any inaccuracy into the bed, the lathe wasn't cheap after all.

This all may be a moot point, Warco may come back to me tomorrow and say they'll replace it, but it is a lot of hassle if it doesn't need done.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

That does not look like a new lathe to me. Apart from the rust, look at the finish atoung the tailstock offset.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John McCulla on 08/11/2022 21:50:15:

.

.

.

Dare I ask, John ?

Is that water I can see ?

… if so, is it Warco’s water ?

MichaelG.

[John McCullaParticipant @johnmcculla]

No, that seems to be the only bit of oil that there is on the lathe bed. The rest seems totally dry.
The worst spot of rust you can see under the far side of the chuck seems to be directly under a hole in the inner plastic sheet, as if water dripped through it, but I'm not sure how that could have happened, the lathe was boxed up, there were no holes in the lid and the entire box was then plastic wrapped. It may be coincidence that the holes seem to line up though, it doesn't explain the rust elsewhere.

With regards to the finish around the tailstock, I had thought maybe that's just what you get with a chinese lathe, but as I said, this is my first one, so I'm no authority.

[JellyParticipant @jelly]

Posted by John McCulla on 08/11/2022 21:50:15:

I've attached some photos, it definitely seems to be rust.

It's a brand new lathe, not second hand.

I've already spoken to Warco, they asked me to send them some photos in an email and they'd get back to me. I guess what I'm wondering is should I push for a new lathe or would be fine to just clean it down with wire wool as already discussed. I'm totally new to using a lathe, and I don't want to end up putting any inaccuracy into the bed, the lathe wasn't cheap after all.

It does indeed appear to be surface rust, and you most likely could remove it with no consequence… But you should absolutely expect some consession or reparation from Warco if you are going to do that.

.

To Roberts's point, the tailstock offset corrosion of is the most alarming and egregious…

I'm not sure that means it's a used machine, my own interpretation of that photo is of long term exposure to moisture during transit allowing moisture to get under paint in a vulnerable area, which would fit with the lack of corrosion protective grease.

But it's still not good and that area warrants further inspection if you are going to accept the machine.

.

My working thesis is that Warco has reached a level of integration with their suppliers that they can do their QC (which is generally pretty good, I have been impressed with Warco products when I have used them) in the country of origin…

But for some reason that lathe wasn't properly prepared for export after inspection, and has been subjected to high humidity during its sea journey, and was then dispatched to you still in its crate without a second UK inspection.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Hello and welcome John, have you spun the lathe up under power?
Those drops of fluid look like they are on the splashback as well, so i wonder if they have come out of the lathe chuck?

Bill

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

I wonder if you might have received a display machine that was cleaned for display then boxed up again?

If you do keep it you should expect something in return to tbe value of what it would cost Warco to replace, which would be two pallet courier trips.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I wouldn't be bothered about a bit of flash rust on the lathe, they are tough

However if water has got in and corroded your electronics then it's a return job IMO

For a "Brand new Lathe" it looks pretty rough to me, like it's been lying about.

Maybe it was on that Evergreen job that was stuck in Suez

Edited By Ady1 on 08/11/2022 23:10:03

[egaParticipant @ega]

I seem to recall that Warco used to inspect every machine themselves.

It seems unlikely that the lathe left the factory without the usual protective grease.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John McCulla on 08/11/2022 22:37:47:

No, that seems to be the only bit of oil that there is on the lathe bed. […]

.

Thanks … that’s one theory out of the window

MichaelG.

[Hugh Stewart-Smith 1Participant @hughstewart-smith1]

hello John, it's possible that the lathe has been around in their store for some time and without having been well coated in grease. We've had two milling machines in stock from July 2021 date of manufacture with rust spots on the table, so I've been busy with 280, 400 then 800 grit wet and dry paper. The sea air on the way from China probably doesn't help.

I've sent a PM to you – regards – Hugh – Amadeal Ltd

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

If this isn't a case of the manufacturer failing, unaccountably, to slather the ways et al. with grease before crating, I'd say it's a customer return that was left at Warco's storage facility for some time in the state in which it was returned [i.e. ungreased] and then re-crated and shrink-wrapped without much examination for delivery on to you.

Is there any indication that on/off switches have ever been pressed by grubby fingers, a chuck key has ever turned in the chuck key recesses, or the chuck itself has ever gripped anything?

[Swarf MakerParticipant @swarfmaker85383]

In addition to what has already been said. it may be an artifact of the photos or lighting, but it appears that the paint is 'dirty' in several areas and is that black oil descending from the headstock behind the chuck? Has all the appearance of a 'returned' item. The lack of 'chicken fat' grease supports that idea. Initial purchaser cleaned it up for use, but then found other faults to require its return.

I bought a lathe from Warco and went to collect it. "Oh dear, it hasn't been checked or tested", I was told. No matter, the lid was prized from the box, the plug inserted, button pushed, chuck rotated. "There, all OK and good to go".  Appropriate pre-delivery check? – I don't think so!

Another incident was with one of the larger milling machines (not mine). Spindle had seized bearing(s) from the very start.

A friend bought a 'combination' lathe/mill. No more than a dozen or so hours light use and the milling spindle lower bearing just disintegrated. By then, out of warranty.

For the sake of balance, other people have had much better experiences!

Edited By Swarf Maker on 09/11/2022 01:18:56

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

Posted by Swarf Maker on 09/11/2022 01:15:31:

In addition to what has already been said. it may be an artifact of the photos or lighting, but it appears that the paint is 'dirty' in several areas and is that black oil descending from the headstock behind the chuck? Has all the appearance of a 'returned' item. The lack of 'chicken fat' grease supports that idea. Initial purchaser cleaned it up for use, but then found other faults to require its return.

I didn't notice that dirty oil drip from the spindle, I'd be inclined to refuse the machine after checking the price, £2750 is a lot of money.

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

Posted by Hugh Stewart-Smith 1 on 08/11/2022 23:24:24:

hello John, it's possible that the lathe has been around in their store for some time and without having been well coated in grease. We've had two milling machines in stock from July 2021 date of manufacture with rust spots on the table, so I've been busy with 280, 400 then 800 grit wet and dry paper. The sea air on the way from China probably doesn't help.

I've sent a PM to you – regards – Hugh – Amadeal Ltd

Attacking the ground surfaces on a new machine with abrasive paper doesn't seem like good practice in my opinion, are these machines sold at knock down cost and the customer informed about abrasives taken to parts of the machine?

I'd rather the rust was left in place so I can judge properly if I would purchase it.

[Old SchoolParticipant @oldschool]

If I had received that lathe I would not be happy and on the phone to Warco. In the past when I have had a problem with product supplied by them they have been very helpful and resolved the problem to my satisfaction.

My advice pick the phone up and talk to them politely.

[Hugh Stewart-Smith 1Participant @hughstewart-smith1]

Posted by Pete. on 09/11/2022 01:42:23:

Posted by Swarf Maker on 09/11/2022 01:15:31:

In addition to what has already been said. it may be an artifact of the photos or lighting, but it appears that the paint is 'dirty' in several areas and is that black oil descending from the headstock behind the chuck? Has all the appearance of a 'returned' item. The lack of 'chicken fat' grease supports that idea. Initial purchaser cleaned it up for use, but then found other faults to require its return.

I didn't notice that dirty oil drip from the spindle, I'd be inclined to refuse the machine after checking the price, £2750 is a lot of money.

If you take a look at the ads. in the MEW mag,, an equivalent machine is just £1904 and with 2-axis DRO a mere £2280 – brushless motor but no rust!

Hugh, Amadeal (one of the last remaining supporters of the MEW mag.)

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