Warco vs Chester

[LathejackParticipant @lathejack]

I have never bought a machine from Chester, just a few bits of tooling years ago when they used to have a large stand at shows such as Harrogate.

As for Warco, well my first and last major purchase from them was a 1330 geared head lathe around 12 years ago. While in their showroom, face to face with the boss, I ordered and payed full price for the 1330 lathe.

While there I made a point of warning them not to send me the demo/display lathe we were looking at, or any other demo/display machine they might have elsewhere, only a new machine fresh from its crate. I was assured that I would of course recieve a new machine, but it would be a 5 – 6 week wait for new stock to arrive.

But the lathe was delivered just 2 weeks later, it was quickly offloaded and positioned in my workshop. Before I had time to take a look at the lathe there were two power cuts which lasted six days. My workshop has no windows, so it is pitch black without lights.

Finaly about a week after delivery I managed to take a closer look, and to my horror discovered they had indeed still sent me the 21/2 year old ex demo machine. It was in a terrible mechanical state inside the headstock, and even had a worn bed with patches of corrosion on which sand paper had been used to clean it up. It ran so bad it was unusable, all far worse than the replacement which has already been discussed on this site. What a diabolical thing to do to a customer.

As I said, it was my last purchase from Warco, a shame because I have always liked a lot of their machines, which usually look a bit tidier than some of Chesters equivalents.

Edited By Lathejack on 20/01/2017 19:59:05

Edited By Lathejack on 20/01/2017 20:21:57

[MalcBParticipant @malcb52554]

Posted by John Stevenson on 20/01/2017 00:23:06:

Posted by MalcB on 19/01/2017 21:56:35:

If I was buying new one it would be the Chester because of two things, their location and secondly colour. I have said it before, quite controversially in that I could not live with their green colour scheme.

What i cannot understand between these two suppliers is why one of them has not taken the lead over the other in offering an " Off The Shelf " 100mm Riser for the column for those that need it, as making you own is time consuming.

By the same ruling Malc I couldn't live with white or cream in a workshop. It is a workshop after all and not a kitchen.

I recently bought a lathe from China from the Sieg Blue and white industrial range and had them paint it all blue to do away with the white. Same for a commercial router that the firm supplied in cream. Told them I only wanted it if it WASN'T in cream, they offered blue so i took it but would have taken any colour.

As regards the risers I can answer this quite easily. I have made 5 or 6 now [ trying to work my way down a eight foot bar of 6" steel ]

Not of them have had the same register and PCD. as it all depends on which factory they are sourced from. 3 of these have been Warco machines, 2 of them from Chester but all of differing ages.

Hi John.

In reverse order, thats very interesting about the risers all being different in hole pitching and registers etc. I have only had to make the one which was quite challenging when I had the Boxy as all i could get my hands on as a freeby was a 170mm dia steel profiled small ID ring. Twas a bit too big for it really.

It dosnt however suprise me about the eastern suppliers having no standardisation. It does not mean though Warco or Chester could not spec them up to now, for them to be standardised and start from there.

Have you had 5 VMC's that you have made so many, or just done for others?

Colours:

Controversial as I mentioned. I can only really go off whats happening in industry, since the early to mid 80's I have put in many CNC machine tools and some specialised machines. Solid green in modern machine tools went out in the late 80's early 90's, the last green ones I put in were Wadkin vertical machining centres.

The emphasis is now actually going beyond that of just a kitchen and more to setting up machine shops that look like laboratories. You only needed to visit Mach 16' to see just how much white is offered. Pale greys, blues etc. The leaning towards a bright but not gaudy CLINICAL look is tremendous.

Personally I love white in machines, it makes a workshop a bright place and it encourages me to keep them clean.

From a small machine tools and traing perspective I was able to join a party of students just before Christmas who were attending the Boxford factory by invite. It was interesting to see their manufacturing and refurbishment facility. Their move to Spacious, tidy, bright and clinical is very evident.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Choosing a machine tool for it's colour, are you having a laugh? I will say no more as I might be excommunicated!

Tony

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Posted by MalcB on 20/01/2017 21:52:20:

Have you had 5 VMC's that you have made so many, or just done for others?

Only ever had one VMC and that one was just passing thru.

These were all done for others, as I mentioned I have a eight foot left over of 6" steel bar from a job and I'm slowly working my way down it looking for projects

[LathejackParticipant @lathejack]

As for the colour of Warco vs Chester, and others, well maybe if you are faced with a similar deal from different suppliers for the same machine then colour might just decide it for some. Blue, red and the brighter colours being used on machine tools can make the workshop seem a more pleasant place to be. Acres of dirty battleship grey can look a bit grim and uninviting.

I have always quite liked green machine tools. I remember Warco's 1327 lathes from the 1990's, they were a nice shade of green with a yellow headstock cover, which reminded me of the acres of Rapeseed with its bright yellow blossom and green shoots…..marvellous.

I remember when Myford changed the colour of their VME milling machine to a pale blue and off white combination. They were not best pleased when I commented that it now looked like part of a bathroom suite. Oh well, can't please everybody.

Edited By Lathejack on 21/01/2017 01:10:28

Edited By Lathejack on 21/01/2017 01:12:08

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

And what's wrong with Classic Battleship Grey????

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

You are missing the whole point on colour.

Pick one and stick to it.

Blokes only see primary colours, Microsoft default primary colours.

Women see shades and can differentiate between apple white and elderflower white at 56 paces. What they can't see are primary colours, so :-

"Is that a new machine ? "

"No it was over there I have just moved it"

End of story.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

Posted by John Stevenson on 21/01/2017 06:35:15:

You are missing the whole point on colour.

Pick one and stick to it.

Blokes only see primary colours, Microsoft default primary colours.

Women see shades and can differentiate between apple white and elderflower white at 56 paces. What they can't see are primary colours, so :-

"Is that a new machine ? "

"No it was over there I have just moved it"

End of story.

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

Emailed Warco for a spares quote yesterday. Answer within 10 mins advising in in stock.

Can't ask for any more than that

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

I have had a bad experience dealing with Chester. They asked me to rewrite a manual for them, so I put together a few pages and some questions to help with finishing the job. I also included a note with my time and the cost, so far. I was unable to get a response – not even a 'no thanks', despite the best efforts of the front man I was dealing through.

Just be aware.

Regards, Tim

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by John Stevenson on 20/01/2017 22:47:55:

Posted by MalcB on 20/01/2017 21:52:20:

Have you had 5 VMC's that you have made so many, or just done for others?

Only ever had one VMC and that one was just passing thru.

 

These were all done for others, as I mentioned I have a eight foot left over of 6" steel bar from a job and I'm slowly working my way down it looking for projects

This chap may want to buy a riser off you John

One from Wayne Grennings workshop, a man who's armchair is seldom used.

Edited By JasonB on 21/01/2017 18:48:15

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Posted by JasonB on 21/01/2017 18:47:04

One from Wayne Grennings workshop, a man who's armchair is seldom used.

Nonsense! You know what they say, the only good armchair is a used armchair.

Michael W

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 21/01/2017 18:47:04:

One from Wayne Grennings workshop …

.

John would have to put a bag over that white drive unit !!

MichaelG.

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Three risers on that Bridgeport John. That should stiffen it up!

[Bill Davies 2Participant @billdavies2]

I bought a GH universal mill plus various bits of tooling from Warco April last year. I had spent about a year, on and off, comparing models and brands, and building up a spreadsheet to compare features. I trawled websites comparing the quality of service people had received, and the arguments for and against old European/modern Chinese machines.

Having worked in several FE colleges, I knew that many had ‘good old’ machines, but also how poor the condition was of many of them, after 40 or so years in the hands of beginners. At my last college, I was responsible for replacing old Colchester lathes with new ones. The old ones were becoming unreliable and having multiple faults, like an old car, and getting beyond repair. I twice visited Warco at Chiddingfold from South Wales, looking at second-hand machines, and came close to purchasing something each time.

In the end I bought new, and I’m happy with my mill. The electrics (1ph) contains nice contactors made by Siemens with low voltage care of a chinese transformer, all wires numbered. The paintwork is adequate, but chips easily on edges, Warco green, not my preferred colour, but pretty much what I was surrounded with when I worked in industry. The tee slots came filled with a thick brittle black paint (over swarf) that prevented tee nuts sliding until it was scraped away. Perhaps it was to protect the slots during shipping? No heavy anti-rust treatment (cosmoline to US), so it was easy to clean up, no corrosion visible.

Several items, including stand, were not available at the time, but were delivered on back orders. Warco updated me as required, by email and phone. Roger Warren was helpful. I bought a vice from Axminster, as Warco didn’t have the size I wanted at the time. Once run in, it’s no noisier in a standard garage than I would expect, especially in lower speeds. I have cut cast iron, mild steel and 1/4” thick gauge plate, and lightly skimmed a case hardened angle plate, all with HSS end mills.

I hope this helps others, who may be unsure (as I was) about an expensive decision.

Bill

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I wish both companies would make a better effort to put data on their products on their websites. The one or two little pictures are pathetic and it's not always possible to find complete info elsewhere. They should for example make it very clear which threads can actually be cut with the QCGB without wheel changes rather than the blanket '500 metric and imperial threads' to catch the unwary. While they can't be expected to cater for the complete numbskull there shouldn't be any questions that an experienced engineer knowing what to look for can't find the answer to.
Downloads of proper manuals of course and some other guidance too. How often do we see on this and other forums questions about gearbox oil and a wild variety of answers.

Colour: I have red, 3 shades of green, blue, grey, black, rusty brown in ten shades. The yellow lathe stand I got recently got pained grey pretty quickly 'cos I had some undercoat and just had to get rid of that colour. Pastel shades are more relaxing apparently.

[john evans 13Participant @johnevans13]

I live near Chesters Hawarden factory warehouse so buy from them.There have been times I have walked out without making a purchase simply because the one salesman,Tony,is too busy to attend to ms.

I generally get annoyed at the waste of my time yet invariable return some other time. They really should do better.

Warco?not been there but have phoned,I was treated like a nuisance by a female staff member so have not bothered

Since.

All business' have their issues and we make our choices based on how we feel about the manner we are treated. Sadly they often forget that!

[larry PhelanParticipant @larryphelan54019]

I bought quite a lot of stuff from Chester over the years,but I noticed a change in their attitude in recent times. They are no longer as helpful as they used to be,as I found out to my cost when I had a problem with my rotary table. I just got the brush off "Sorry,we dont stock that item anymore,full stop!" Some of guys on this site were a lot more helpful. I have not bought anything from Chester in recent times since they dont seem too keen to supply to this part of the world,referring one instead to their "Agent".Seems to me they may have got a bit too big for their boots. I have not bought from Warco,yet,but I will keep them in mind next time around.

What brought me to Chester in the first place,was that they were handy to get to from the Dublin/Holyhead ferry. Warco would be a little bit further on,but since I am now located nearer to the Rosslare/Fishguard ferry,this might not be so much of a problem.

Chester need to get their act together,their costumer relation dept is in rag order. They need to remember that the guys you meet on the way up,you might meet again on the way down.The guys I knew there years back were sound enough,but that all seems to have changed. Pity.

[Gordon RickerbyParticipant @gordonrickerby51767]

I feel a rant about customer service comming on… I bought some stuff from Arceurotrade very helpfull. Just outside Leister so a good couple of hundred mile from Holyhead.

Gordon

Dublin

[Tony – CHUKParticipant @tony-chuk]

Thank you for your feedback, unfortunately as we have expanded into certain areas we have set up agency agreements through different business's and on occasion this will include a clause that we will not sell directly into a particular area, as in this case.

However, anyone and everyone is welcome to call into our showroom at any time we are Open, and especially during our Open Weeks, of which I have regular visitors from Ireland who take the opportunity to go to the auctions in Manchester and visit us on the way back to the ferry to pick up their items!

I do remember a conversation with a chap some time ago about an older rotary table which was purchased from us about 10 years, or so, ago! and unfortunately we could not offer any help, which does happen from time to time.

I would like to think that most people would not judge us quite so harshly under similar circumstance! as I do my very best to try and keep everybody happy and help whomever I can, whether they are a customer of ours or not.

Please bear this in mind for any future dealings.

We have set up a customer service department, who are here should you have reason to complain about our staff, products or service. You are more than welcome to send an email through to customerservices@chestermachinetools.com and address to Andrew Clarke.

All the best,

Tony

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