Upgrading from a Clarke CL300M, where to go?

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Bob Worsley on 01/10/2023 10:33:06:

Yes, a 38mm spindle bore in my book is essential.

A rear tool post for the parting off tool is also essential.

A self extracting tail stock is worth lots of money, like a lever clamp to the bed. Amazes me that there are machines that use spanners for this.

To show how much of the advice given, while clearly based on experience and perfectly accurate is not the only option can I suggest the following:

I have never needed to put 38mm stock through the mandrel – even the longest and largest material has been turned using the chuck and a steady

If you accept a chuck that is not screwed on then inverting the parting tool in the front toolpost and running in reverse also works

I would personally rather NOT have a self extracting tailstock if I could because there seems to be no standardisation in taper lengths today and sometimes a tool will extract when you don't expect it to and sometimes you fit a new tool into the taper and it is too short to extract and also a spanner left permanently on the lathe tray is scarcely less convenient than a lever and can be more secure.

So I suggest you accept all the advice you can and see which applies in your particular case – while you clearly wish to upscale some of the suggestions given may be beyond what you personally need and as we are not working but hobbyists a few extra moments setting up is rarely important.

[Chris Edwards 1Participant @chrisedwards1]

Hi Everyone,

First of all I would just like to say many thanks for all your comments and the time and thought you have put into them.

It’s great having a forum like this as you guys raised points I hadn’t even considered!

What I think I can take away from your advice is the following;

1. Try and get the largest / sturdiest machine possible within the space available.

2. New over second hand will always be a BIG dilema. I have bought both (different machines) and I think at the end of the day it really comes down to research, testing and how good the deal really is.

3. While certain specifications can seem great is there actually an advantage i.e. a 38mm spindle connecting to a 125mm chuck..?

4. Geared over variable speed? I like to multi use my lathe from time to time and having variable speed makes that easy (even if there is a chance of electronic failure in the future).

I’ll take all this information away and have a good think before opening my wallet!

Many thanks, Chris.

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

I've got an AMABL210D with 38mm spindle bore and DRO.

I was aiming for a bigger lathe but don't currently have the time or space to accommodate it.

I'm pleased with its performance so far, though I've had little chance to test it thoroughly.

It has surprisingly good low speed torque, what appears to be a genuinely hardened bed, and a decent 125mm scroll chuck. It also comes with travelling and fixed steadies, MT5 adaptor, MT3 and MT2 dead centres et al. – things not mentioned in the lathe's sales blurb.

The 38mm spindle bore has already been useful.

It was well packaged and presented on arrival: no rust, no transit damage. Most things were already well adjusted too. Only issue so far was tailstock T nut, which was functional but somewhat crudely made. I made a new one.

[Chris Edwards 1Participant @chrisedwards1]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the review, it really does help to an honest appraisal of the machine!

It's definitely not out of the picture for me and knowing that it is accurate to it's description is good to know.

They really should list all the extras, it would make this process a whole lot easier!

Cheers, Chris.

[Derek DroverParticipant @derekdrover32802]

I started off with a CL300M some 10years ago now, and I found it very useful but too limiting, so I upgraded to a Chester 9×20. Now I know its not the best piece of kit out there, and to get them working well they require some minor modifications, but once these are done they're actually very versatile pieces of kit at a very low price.

If you spot one for sale on the 2nd hand market, its worth considering.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

If the intent is to uses a C3 size, or thereabouts, lathe indoors, the Chester Craftsman is too large. It is a heavy machine, 300KG, capable of swinging 300mm, (450mm in the removable gap ) and hoilding work 600mm between centres.

The chucks are heavy, especially the 200mm 4 jaw independent.

I have a ETR BL12-24 which is effectively the same machine, (Warco BH600 lookallike ) with a 5MT Spindle and a Norton gearbox.  Versatile, but by model engineering standards, a big machine.

Were I in the market for a new lathe, I would seriously consider the SC4. Have only seen one in use, other than the ones at Arc Euro. Apart from having to use changewheels again, it seems to have most of the features that I would want.

HTH

Howard

[billlane76Participant @billlane76]

Hello,

I would recommend calling the companies you are interested in & speaking to them on the phone i find this the best way to deal with these companies i have spoken to Amadeal & brought from them before they was definitely helpful & willing to discuss options with me.

 

 

 

[Michael Callaghan]

On Michael Callaghan Said:

“I have a Colchester bantam which is night and day to the myford 7 I had before. Apart from the power feeds, parting off is almost a joy.”

I have a Colchester Student and also a Myford ML7R (enhanced to a Super7 spec., less gear box) and I have to agree with you that the Colchester walks all over the Myford as a lathe – but only as a lathe. The Myford is a complete machining centre in itself upon which a whole plethora of machining operations can be undertaken with all the attachments and enhancements that have been designed for it over the years. It can be used as anything from a miller to a gear cutter or hobber, a slotter, a dividing head, a graduating device and a whole lot of other things using Myford, after-market or shop-made accessories. Both machines have their place and I would be loathe to part with either but if I were to be allowed any grave goods to take with me to Valhalla it would have to be the Myford!

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