Warco WM250 Lathe and Warco WM18 Milling machine (Advice please)

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Oh the machine was definatly faulty that’s for sure.

Any way it’s up to the admin I suppose.

Thanks again all

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

I agree with Bill Phinn. Many of us have put time into trying to understand what issues there really were here, and some of us have tried answering with such understanding as we've achieved.

It'd be nice, but maybe too big an ask, to hear Warco's take on it.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

As always, there are two sides to a story….thus far we have only the op's side of things.

The fact remains that Warco have not yet commented on …Maybe they will or not…

Something for prospective buyers to consider?

At least he got his money refunded…

Edited By John Rudd on 14/05/2018 21:29:45

[DanielParticipant @daniel]

Hello All,

I think we should bear in mind that perhaps Warco's lack of participation in this thread may well be one of discretion. Some may find it inappropriate that a vendor enters into a discussion, regarding a particular client, on such a public platform.

It should also be noted, in a most serious manner, that Warco have continued to honour this client's demands; up 'till and including his full refund, in circumstances which are very dubious.

From what I can interpret, from his very one sided, and scant, version of events (most especially his last posts), is that he has essentially changed his mind on the deal. Cold feet, panic, etc.

As I remarked earlier in this thread, I know that Warco are not the most forthcoming, with regard to superfluous electronic communication, but I have been, and remain to be, a very satisfied customer of their's.

I feel it rather unfair that Warco risk being presented in such a negative manner, in this event as, to call a spade a spade, they have had to deal with a classical nightmare customer. Their patience will have also been tested with this one.

The manner in which Warco have quietly, and calmly, dealt with this debacle has only risen them in my estimation.

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

We don't have the full story, but from what information is available, I think if I were Warco I would have given a refund, so credit to them for doing this.

I have bought two milling machines from them, with mixed experiences, but I don't see them negatively, in my experience, or in the case above.

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

A few years ago I purchased a BV20 lathe from Warco, some months later I attended one of their open days and when talking to one of their staff in the showroom mentioned that I was disappointed in how noisy the gears were, it is a geared head machine bought because I mistrusted electronic control boards, the response was “we will exchange the machine no problem” they duly arranged the exchange and it took place a couple of weeks later. I couldn’t have wished for a better response. I didn’t set out to complain about the machine the subject of noise just came up in conversation, as a follow on the replacement was nearly as noisy as the first machine, subsequent investigation by myself and the problem appears to be excessive backlash between the gears due to PCD problems with the gears, in respect of the cost of the machine it would have been fantasy to expect hardened ground gears for the price paid that not withstanding the machine is perfectly serviceable albeit a bit noisy. My hearing was damaged substantially many years ago due to exposure to high noise levels so not so much of a problem for me. In summary Warco were extremely fair in their treatment of my disappointment, would certainly recommend them.

Dave W

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve got an Axminster branded BV20 Dave and it’s a bit noisy as well. I’d sooner that though than the dodgy variable speed electronics that were around at the time. I think if I had to replace mine I’d try and get a 920 Lathe with the Norton gearbox and fit a three phase motor and invertor.

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

Vic your thoughts echo mine, my BV 20 is perfectly serviceable and does all I want it to, I dream of a bigger lathe a 920 with norton gearbox and inverter would be ideal, and I would fit DRO’s. I recently fitted a quick change tool post to my BV 20 and that has made a world of difference to changing tools.

Dave W

[VicParticipant @vic]

Chester still list the 920.

**LINK**

My BV20 is good enough for what I do at the moment though.

[Ian Skeldon 2Participant @ianskeldon2]

About 18 months ago, I went to an engineering show/event with a view to buying a lathe. I was hoping to get more info about the warco lathes that would be at the show, but once there, the lack of help, answers or interest from the warco team on the day left me in real doubt, so I ended up buying a chester lathe (which so far has been great).

Reading this story leaves me with no doubt that I could have safely bought from warco or could buy without worry from warco in the future, they have not been very quick to respond, but they have fully honoured their obligations and you simply can't ask for more than that.

Well done Warco.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

I've already said I'm a happy customer of Warco. Their lathe suited my needs and was better featured than its competition.

It was delivered without generating any anxiety.

It has performed well – in some respects excellently – in practically daily use for 3 years.

A couple of parts which failed within guarantee were replaced immediately and without question.

When an unusual issue developed, they helped as well as they could have with specific dismantling guidance so I could diagnose what had happened and then fix it.

I don't think you can expect more from a commercial transaction.

[Martin Hamilton 1Participant @martinhamilton1]

Amadeal still do their CJ23b 930 variable speed lathe, this is the same as the 920 lathes but with a 30" between centres + a 1200w variable speed motor. Also I always wondered where Warco got so many used warco machines from, many practically new. Could they be returned machines ?.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I wonder what STK will buy next and if it will be much better? I also wonder what will happen to the machine he sent back.

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Yeah still on the market for machines so back to the start I go.

Was looking at Amadeal but still not 100% sure.

Axminster is nice but the prices are just way to high for me .

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

There are other companies that supply…..Toolco, SPG, Chester….depends on what you want and how much you want to pay…

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Hi thanks for the reply

 

Yeah looked over them sites.

 

On Amadeal they have this lathe which looks realy nice

 

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AMA250AVF-550-Bench-Lathe—Variable-Speed-with-Power-Cross-Feed-AMA_LA_250AVF_550WE.html#SID=5

 

And the mill I am eyeing up is

 

 

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AMA30LV-Milling-Machine—-R8-AMA_MI_30LV_M_R8WE.html#SID=18

 

Edited By STK2008 on 16/05/2018 10:45:07

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

And I take it you realise the AMA 30LV is the Warco WM18 with a different coat of paint, as the AMA250AVF is a Warco WM250……..

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Yep aware of that

 

the Amadeal lathe though does have power cross feed and independent lead screw and feed rod for less than other companies I have seen so far

Edited By STK2008 on 16/05/2018 11:00:02

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Posted by STK2008 on 16/05/2018 10:58:13:

Yep aware of that

 

the Amadeal lathe though does have power cross feed and independent lead screw and feed rod for less than other companies I have seen so far

Edited By STK2008 on 16/05/2018 11:00:02

Yes, and it'd be interesting to know if that splits the relationship between change gear config and feed rates. If you set up for a screw pitch like 8 or 10 TPI on a Warco WM250V, you don't have any fine feed turning capability – so you have to segregate out screwcutting from ordinary turning ops unless it's practical to feed manually. The change on the Amadeal is only worth anything if it solves that.

Also bear in mind the Amadeal has a 750w motor against 1100w on Warco's WM250V. And it looks as if you don't get 4-jaw chuck, faceplate, fixed and travelling steadies as standard.

Edited By Mick B1 on 16/05/2018 13:09:39

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If it is anything like the WM280 then the input to the "gearbox" uses the same geartrain for screw cutting and feeds so you will have to change gears, the feed shaft just saves wear on the leadscrew and half nuts

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Yeah the motor is a bit lower but might be an easy upgrade in the future if need be?.

Yeah saves wear on the leadscrew from what I read but not 100% sure tbh.

 

One day I will be converting the lathe and mill I get to CNC any way but that wont be for a while after I finaly get them.

 

Edited By STK2008 on 16/05/2018 13:26:39

[Gas_mantle.Participant @gas_mantle]

In the 250 class of machine I bought a Chester DB10v about a year ago and find it's a great machine for the kind of hobby work I do.

It has powered cross feed, a quick change gearbox and a 'T' slotted cross slide that some machines in this size don't always have.

Before I bought it I deliberated for hours trying to decide which machine to go for, I guess a lot of these Chinesium lathes are essentially the same machine but they do have subtle differences in features (and price). It seemed to me there were plenty of user reviews of the mini lathe but little in the 250 class of machine so I have been considering writing a detailed review of mine after 1 year of use.

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Hi

Yep also looked at the chester machines.
I would be interested in the review if u decide to do a write up .

[Martin Hamilton 1Participant @martinhamilton1]

The Warco WM250v uses a Delta Inverter drive with AC induction motor, I understand most other lathes use DC brushed motors.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

The Chester 9 x 20 has a single phase induction motor fitted as standard.

My 9 x 20 has been upgraded to a 3 ph motor with a vfd( along with a qctp..)

(As an aside it will be up for sale in the near future.)

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