Member postings for Jerry Wray

Thank you all for your contributions.

Things are becoming clearer. It's great to see that, so far, no-one has said anything against these larger Warco machines.

This morning the Devil took me over, the 290 had been mentioned so I spent some time considering the pros and cons of that. It's just about within reach of my budget, but I cannot really see me using DRO and the 5MT headstock taper suddenly made me realise I was getting into a fair sized machine.

I have been involved in a machine shop where big items (jet engine casings) rule the roost. and that seems to be getting me into everyday work. Added to which I can see how the temptation towards machining centres, G-code, Solidworks, high speed horizontal boring, etc. etc. comes about. This is supposed to be a hobby after-all, part of the 'fun' is using manual techniques to achieve results. Just pressing a button and letting the machine get on with it is not for me.

So having weighed everything that has been said I have, subject to a good night's sleep, settled on the 280 V-F.

Jerry

Mechman, Jason,

Thanks for more suggestions, I have a 1 tonne chain hoist and my garage was built with rafters which are actually floor joists so sghould be capable of taking the 230kg weight, but I am not sure if that would be steady enough, and of course its not manoeverable.

Seems like an engine hoist is favourite, I can hire one locally for about £35 a day. That's insignificant against the cost of the lathe.

I'm admiring how level your workshop floors are! Mine is level overall but it's a typical builders surface of the eighties; concrete laid and levelled with a board on edge, so small ridges. Perhaps self-levelling compound in that area, or large feet on the stand.

Looks like I'll have to be on the phone to Warco tomorrow!

Thanks again

Jerry

Thank you to the posters who have replied with their experiences and comments. I must admit that you have confirmed what I had already almost decided upon. It's always good to get your own conclusions reinforced.

Looks like I shall have to work how to get a machine of this weight up;to bench height now.

Thank you

Jerry

I am looking to buy a new lathe, perhaps the Warco WM 280V-F or the smaller 250 or their equivalents from other supplers.

The 280 has separate drives for the cross-slide but the 250 take its drive from the leadscrew.

Do others have views on whether paying the exrta cost is worth while?

Jerry