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Hi richard,
I do see your point, this all stems from the posts by the chap that was thinking about buying a small lathe. I got the feeling it was a new field for him.
Coming from a background in machines and suds its second nature or most of it is but to some just wanting to turn out a decent tank gun barrel or a set of cannons a lathe is a usefull addition. That said many of the RC car guys could save a fortune if they could chuck up a lump of 2011.

On a semi seriouse not I think every model maker should make atleast one live steam. I bet many would never go back to plastic kits.
I know of no other thing in life (well maybe one) that gives as much pleasure as steaming your first engine after making every part including nuts and bolts.

My father an avid steam model maker always said if you buy a made part for a model you didnt make the model. not sure I agreed at the time but I do now.
He made every nut and bolt and refused to buy BA's that some one else had made.

Originally Posted by kevingambrell

Hi richard,
I do see your point, this all stems from the posts by the chap that was thinking about buying a small lathe. I got the feeling it was a new field for him.
Coming from a background in machines and suds its second nature or most of it is but to some just wanting to turn out a decent tank gun barrel or a set of cannons a lathe is a usefull addition. That said many of the RC car guys could save a fortune if they could chuck up a lump of 2011.

On a semi seriouse not I think every model maker should make atleast one live steam. I bet many would never go back to plastic kits.
I know of no other thing in life (well maybe one) that gives as much pleasure as steaming your first engine after making every part including nuts and bolts.

Was this aimed at my post?

I've used lathes for a few years in Education but do not own my own lathe.

I was questioning the quality of these small chinese lathes as I've used mainly boxford student lathes and Boxford CNC lathes in the past and some larger Harrison gap bed lathes. The build quality of these machines is obviously high as they are industrial machines with an industrial price tag. A new Myford Super 7 retails for approx £20,000.

I was debating the quality of these lathes as I've seen posts regarding changing the bearings in the headstock, grinding the cross slides and comments regarding setting up the tailstock as on one example the user mentioned that none of the surfaces were actually machined true.

As the accuracy and finish of the part is going to rely heavily on the build quality of the machine that was my primary concern.

I've had bad experiences using chinese import equipment such as small bench drills, one example had so much slop in the spindle when a 4mm drill bit was inserted you could move the chuck approx 4mm from side to side. I've also experienced the phenomena of shafts being machined to be triangular so they wobble up and down as they rotate but have a uniform diameter when you put a vernmier on them.

I've also tried to put a spanner on a part to make an adjustment where the fitting just softens and shears off as soon as you even try to snug it up with a spanner.

It's obviously a compromise between price and the performance you can expect to get from the machine.

Hello Alan,
It was in a way but it was also spured on by a concern over unskilled people starting with what are very dngerouse machines.

I agree with you on the chinese machines, the problem comes from the outwork that most chinese achine makers use. I have seen forst hand machine parts being made and finished in kitchens in China. never a good start for quality. This said things have impreoved over the last few years.

Im not sure how you get the 20k price tag for an ML7 I see loads under 1500 pounds. If I bought a Myford it would certainly not be a new one I would budget to spend no more than 700.

The accuracy of a part not only depends on the machine it depends on the tooling and the speed/feed that cuts are taken at. Rake angle on the tools is also a big concern. It annoys me when I see people selling indexable tools for lathes with inserts taht are next to useless for model work. Tips are very specific and should be bought to fit the metals being worked and the job being done. In my shop i have about 35 types of tips and almost as many holders.

these and safety are the points I thought should be addressed.

kevin

The 20,000 price was from another forum for a New Myford. I was just illustrating the fact that the price of some of these chinese lathes is probably less than some 3 jaw chucks for a competitors lathe.

Saying that I have seen some excellent work produced on them.

Regarding the accuracy there are obviously many variables and tooling and user skill being probably one of the main factors. There is also the fact that you can't turn something accurately if the headstock bearings are shot or of very poor quality. Also accuracy and ease of adjustment setting the tailstock etc are key factors unless all parts require a taper on them.

Also price and availablity of accessories is a factor, 4 jaw chucks etc, faceplates. They chinese jobs are obviously aimed at a user who probably would use them less often for lighter work but still wants to own a lathe without spending all of their disposable income on one.