Bunkerbarge

Chris, to be honest that is just me and the way I like to work. I hate dirt and debris around me so I am constantly cleaning up the area as I do things.

Probably over the top but it's about the only place in the world where I can do exactly what I want so I make the most of the opportunity!!

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“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

alan2525

I've got access to a Harrison Lathe at work but wanted something for small scale stuff for modeling at home. It needs to be portable as it'll be used on a benchtop.

One thing I'm also interested in is the possibility of CNC conversions and I've seen a few of the smaller Seig's C1 - C2 etc fitted with stepper motors, which would simplify making batch runs of parts.

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Bunkerbarge

Alan, that link you gave us led me to have a look around and I came across this one as well:

http://www.littlemachineshop.com

Not only a very good supplier of all things to do with small lathes and miling machines but also an excellent resource for information regarding them. I have already ordered a Cam Lock set for my tail stock and if that works out OK I may well be looking at a few more bits and bobs.

They also ship worldwide and they responded to an enquiry I made immediately.

All interesting stuff and it has generated a renewed level of enthusiasm for getting home and having a play with my lathe. So far I have only done some very basic operations with it but I want to start to do a bit more with it.

having said that it was the only way I could drill the hand holes in my hatch boards for the model boat mainly because it can spin considerably faster than any drill I have available.

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“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

alan2525

Thanks for the links there!

I also found this site:

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/

They have a lot of accessories for the Sieg C0 and C3, and also have some useful articles on replacing ball races with taper bearings too. I'm warming to these machines now as there is such a wealth of information out there regarding their use and aftersales spares and repairs too.

The prices of some of the accessory parts is amazing too - a quick change toolpost is a must have.

I'm still going through the initial tool buying stage at the moment, hopefully in the new year I'll be able to actually show some work in progress - rather than just post daft questions about machinery!

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Bunkerbarge

As you say Alan a wealth of information about these machines out there.

That is another great site for owners of these machines and gives me that warm feeling that, if anything was to go wrong, there would be plenty of support out there.

I'm afraid taper rollers are not for me though. My experience of them in the engineering world is that they are superb with no play whatsoever as long as you very regularly adjust them. Therin lies the problem! If you don't regularly adjust them you end up with a lot more play than normal ball races.

I don't think the tolerances I'll be working to merit the use of Taper Rollers but an interesting modification any way.

I am definately going to be looking at the QC tool post, fitting my cam lock for the tailstock as the nut is a pain to get to when you are up against the carriage, and maybe making a chip tray and a feed screw guard for the carriage.

One thing that would concern me though is that I have seen that these lathes can be used with rubber feet without being bolted down. I really do not think that is a good idea, especially with the speeds and powers involved here. They should at least be clamped to a fixed surface and preferably bolted down.

I look forward to seeing what you eventually decide on!

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“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

alan2525

I just got the regular catalogue from Axminster through the letterbox and they've just added this lathe to their line up of chinese imports. Looks impressive for the Money - a shade under £300. inc delivery and tax. Has digital readouts on the X/Y axis too. It says it's portable (almost) at 37 kilo's but looks like it has enough cast iron to be usefull too.

Axminster SIEG C2A 300 Mini Lathe</H3>
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.a...sfile=1&jump=0

• Constructed almost entirely of cast iron with ground, hardened bed ways
• Fully featured saddle and carriage assembly
• Powered leadscrew
• Supplied with, 80m 3 jaw chuck, 2MT centre, change wheel set, wrench set, oil can.

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new to trains

i have a pal of 12 years who works for axminster power tools, his area of expertease is woodworking lathes not metal working lathes but if you do decide to look into the axminster lathe i will give him a call and get the lowdown on it - he will know who to ask ( ie any reported issues with them common faults or whatever) on your behalf if you so wish, he also saves me a few quid on my tools when i have done this in the past -as he often alerts me to offers coming up if any !- so by waiting a month i saved £120 on several proxxon tools when bought together !

let me know if this may help !

kevingambrell

I have to agree, a Myford is a much better lathe well made and accurate.
I have used the Chinese lathes in the US we had a workshop full of the 14x40's and to be perfectly honest the machines are great for rough work but lack the degree of build quality of a UK machine.

regarding packing away the machine regardless of size must be set up true so you dont bend the bed. My big Colchester's are on an 18 inch concrete floor and gets checked every year to see its nice and true. This should apply to any machine.

Rule of thumb always go for a larger machine than you need on a Monday as Wednesday it will be too small. Bite the bullet and spend a few more pounds you wont regret it.

Kevin

Bunkerbarge

Alan, that is basically exactly the same lathe I have execpt for a slight differrent arrangement of the switches. Mine has an American built circuit board which may or may not be better than the original and mine also has a digital readout for spindle speed.

For a machine fitted with digital feed readouts that is a good price and, if you follow some of the links earlier in this thread, you will find there is a wealth of spares and support for these machines, especially in the States. I have just purchased a Tailstock Cam Lock kit for mine and I am just going to order some spares and a Quick Change Tool post for it as well. I even went on a site a couple of days ago who repaired the electronics board for these machines. Don't be put off by the fact that they are in the States, a lot deal internationally and postage isn't horrific.

I would highly recommend the service and supply from littlemachineshop.com who answer e-mails immediately and get stuff out to you straight away.

I agree that a Myford is probably a better quality but for it's size, price, features and support these lathes are excellent value for money. For a second hand Myford you will be paying considerably more than these prices and you are inheriting second hand electrics as well.

It's never simple and straightforward but I am very happy with my Chester Conquest and I am sure you will be equally happy with the Axminster machine.

By the way shop around for all the bits you want. Chester do a range of quite expensive vices for thier machines but Axminster do a superb and much cheaper rotating cam lock vice for my Micro Mill which I might just invest in when I get home.

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“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

alan2525

One of the reasons I wanted to purchase my own lathe was the convenience of being able to turn small parts at home in reasonable comfort, without having to do the bit during my lunchbreak at work and then finding I'm missing a particular part or dimension and am unable to do the job I wanted.

Regarding Myford lathes thats a little like asking someone who wants to buy a small hatchback car:

"Why don't you buy a long wheelbase transit van with an extended roof just incase you want to pick up a wardrobe one day?"

I've had a brief look at some Myfords which are approx 10 times the size and weight of some of the smaller chinese lathes, and although you could probably buy a poor condition one for the same price as a brand new chinese job I'm sure it would need a lot of work to actually get any quality results from it. Bed Grind, Backlash etc, Replacement starters, belts etc. Also possible metric conversion too.

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