Lathe

[Gixer]

I've got myself the makings of a neat little workshop in my garage with vice, pillar drill, bench grinder, etc.

I've always wanted a lathe for turning bits of wood or metal, trouble is I have no idea what I'm looking at. They are pretty expensive bits of kit and I don't want to get it wrong. Any advice for a novice looking to do small projects?

I'm in no rush so don't mind waiting for a decent second hand one to come up.

Thanks

 

[Bobc]

I saw one in Lidl the other day.

 

[DownWest]

You can turn wood on a metal lathe, but not vice versa.
As before, look in mig-welding forum . Lathes often come up on the for sale section and the members are unlikely to offer a duff one. e-bay had many, but less reliable.

 

[[178529]]

If you want something to learn on, and make small aluminium or brass parts then the Clarke micolathes sold by machine mart and axminster tools are ok. and their milling machine.

If you want to make serious larger parts and in steel then a secondhand myford ml7 is a very good option. But big and heavy.

 

[Topcat47]

It depends how "small" the projects are. There are a number of small hobbyist lathes on the market now, mostly Chinese in origin. The limiting factor is going to be chuck size and length of lathe bed. You will also need to have an idea regarding whether to buy a screw cutting lathe or not. I had a small instrument maker's lathe one time, but found it of little use for anything other than model making. I learned on Colchester Student Lathes when I did my apprenticeship but these are a bit big for a garage if you still want to get a car inside and tend to have three phase motors (Domestic supplies are almost universally single phase). They also need as substantial concrete base; 4' isn't nearly enough. Three jaw chucks are fine for beginners but sooner of later you'll find a need for a 4-jaw chuck so look for a lathe with that as an option. With the four jaw chuck, comes the need for a dial gauge to set it up, although a scriber held in a tool post is OK for simply centralising the workpiece. Another thing to consider is the inside diameter of the chuck spindle. This enables you to work on ;omega items but still cut close to the chuck which makes for more accurate work. You can turn the piece e in the chuck t work from the other end.

The Clarke lathe mentioned above is single phase and the Myfords also had single phase motors as an option, as do small Boxfords.

 

[Bilgediver]

I've got myself the makings of a neat little workshop in my garage with vice, pillar drill, bench grinder, etc.

I've always wanted a lathe for turning bits of wood or metal, trouble is I have no idea what I'm looking at. They are pretty expensive bits of kit and I don't want to get it wrong. Any advice for a novice looking to do small projects?

I'm in no rush so don't mind waiting for a decent second hand one to come up.

Thanks
[/QUOTE


Check on the net for a used Myford ML7. They are more than adequate and sometimes one pops up on the internet at a realistic price. Most of the Boxfords might be bigger than you have room for.
I have used my My Myford for machining exhaust/inlet valves. Rudder bushes and many other components for friends. Also model steam engine parts.A very handy tool.

 

[earlybird]

You need to decide what size of work that you will want to do.
I'd be very cautious about a Myford. They were a good machine and used to be the UK market leader by a mile for the hobbyist, but there's a lot of well worn and neglected examples about and silly money is often paid for even moderate examples. Ebay will give a good idea of types of machine and prices. To buy any lathe s/h requires reasonable knowledge to assess condition. Extras are inportant. Ancilliaries such as chucks etc. are expensive.
I bought a new Boxford 40 years ago, but If I were setting out now I'd almost certainly go new Asian but not off Ebay. Perhaps not quite as good as the best British iron but they represent really good value, can be expected to be accurate come well equipped and will do everything reasonably expected of them.
I'd look at suppliers like Warco and ArcEurotrade. There are others, Axminster is good but a tad pricier than some for the same items. I've dealt with all three. Clarke has limited offerings and rarely gets rave reviews as a supplier but I've no direct experience.

 

[Praxinoscope]

One of my great regrets is that I eventually sold my old Myford ML7, but I was moving around quite a lot at the time and it was just too big and heavy to keep moving with me.
I just don't have the justification to acquire another lathe now, but I do miss it's usefulness.

 

[MM5AHO]

I bought one of these a few years back...
Centurion 3 in 1 Machine
Its a Chinese manufactured combination lathe mill and drill. I've made lots of parts for my boat in aluminium, stainless, bronze, and wood.
Might be a little more than you wanted to pay perhaps, but it was new, and so not worn out. The main aspects of a lathe are OK. Not brilliant, but adequate. And mostly adjustable. For example a little adjustment removed most of the tool rest chatter. I still haven't figured out how to cut a left had thread, but its quite good for RH. The vendor is reputable and helpful.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I have an East German Hobbymat MD65, which is very simple and solidly made. They appeared under other brands (Prazimat, for example) and come up regularly on eBay. The only real downside, which perhaps applies more to the BFE65 milling head, is that they use 1MT which is a tad small.

 

[rogerthebodger]

What ever type/size lathe you chose make sure it has a big enough motor. Most off the shelf have a too small a motor.

I have a chines combined lathe and milling machine and I fitted a bigger motor and chuck as if you stall the machine it will damage your cutting tool.

The motor I tool off my lathe I fitted to my bench drill for the same reason.

 

[TernVI]

A 'decent size' lathe takes up a lot of workshop.
If you look at secondhand lathes, look for a package that includes lots of accessories, as it's possible to spend a great deal on tools and extras.

I inherited a Toyo mini lathe, which does about 3in diameter and 9in long. I use it a fair bit for odds and ends.
Sheaves, bushes, spacers, small parts in Delrin, brass, ali, I can even do some stainless using sharp carbide tools.
It's maybe not what I'd have chosen to buy, but I'm reluctant to invest in bigger, which I wouldn't use much and would take up a lot of workshop.

Owning a lathe, if you start doing much with it, you will soon want a milling machine.

I'd like to have a go at woodturning, but that's another substantial commitment of space and a good way of getting sawdust over a very wide area.

 

[Gixer]

Thanks guys,

I have seen this locally which looks interesting.
Metal Lathe Myford ML4 | eBay

That Centurion looks amazing but yes out of my budget

 

[JumbleDuck]

A 'decent size' lathe takes up a lot of workshop.
If you look at secondhand lathes, look for a package that includes lots of accessories, as it's possible to spend a great deal on tools and extras.

Oh yes indeed. My MD65 came without change wheels. I decided to add them in case I ever want to cut a screw, but they are around £20 - £30 each. Luckily I found a chap in Germany (it's a country from which we used to be able to buy stuff) who makes complete sets for about half the total price. Luckily also I inherited lots of useful 1MT bits (along with the milling machine) from my old Dad.

 

[rotrax]

If you want something to learn on, and make small aluminium or brass parts then the Clarke micolathes sold by machine mart and axminster tools are ok. and their milling machine.

If you want to make serious larger parts and in steel then a secondhand myford ml7 is a very good option. But big and heavy.

I have had one of those for 25 years, the Clarke 'Meatalworker' lathe/mill.

Not top quality, but then nor are my skills.

They compliment each other!

One new forward reverse switch in all that time, eighteen quid, arrived next day.

Worth a punt for hobby use.

 

[goeasy123]

Thanks guys,

I have seen this locally which looks interesting.
Metal Lathe Myford ML4 | eBay

That Centurion looks amazing but yes out of my budget

That's silly money for a Myford that age and spec.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Thanks guys,

I have seen this locally which looks interesting.
Metal Lathe Myford ML4 | eBay

That Centurion looks amazing but yes out of my budget

There's also a colchester and harrison lathes for sale at about the same pricing but both are 3 phase.

 

[Gixer]

That's silly money for a Myford that age and spec.

As in to expensive or too cheap?

 

[Poignard]

That's silly money for a Myford that age and spec.

The poor repainting job, the condition of the motor, and the corroded pulleys on the countershaft would ring warning bells to me. Also the inadequate holding-down bolts

 

[doug748]

Thanks guys,

I have seen this locally which looks interesting.
Metal Lathe Myford ML4 | eBay

That Centurion looks amazing but yes out of my budget

That would be a good choice as it has all the bits, as pointed out above, these can be very expensive if you have to pick them up later. Being on a stand is good except if you are stuck for space, these are only small machines and can sometimes fit on the end of an existing bench. I have that machine's older brother dating from the 1930's.
Expensive for what it is as these types can be picked up for much less - though they often need work and bits. Being up and running is a big bonus.

Here is a superb resource, it should open at the early Myford page so you can see what you are getting:

Page Title

Click on home to see the full extent of the site.

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