Member postings for Absolute Beginner

Ed,

YES YOU MISUNDERSTOOD MYPOST

Gary

Hi Bob,

You will have typically 4 connection blocks at each end.

1. Live
2. Neutral
3. Earth
4. Switched live

The lights connect between the neutral and the switched live, the switch connects between the Live and Switched live. The neutral and earths are connected together.

Does that help ?

Gary

Hi all,

as I have been overwhelmed with the replies and offers of assistance on the forum's I thought it might be time to try and offer some help and assistance of my own to a worthy cause.

Having replaced my Bridgeport 6F power feed a few days ago now I have a spare, mostly functional power feed available to a good home.

It slipped on occasion when in use and hence the reason for my changing it out. I could have lived with it, as it only slipped occasionally especially at higher speeds, but by turning the speed down and then back up again it would be ok for a while. Looking at the makeup of the unit on the parts list there is not so much internal parts to go wrong, "I guess it could be the clutch" so perhaps with a little bit of TLC someone without one might be able to repair it and make good use of it.

It will require you to have a110V supply tap on your machine cabinet transformer, but I think most Bridgeport's have the same transformer fitted so it would just be matter of tapping off for its supply.

So if anyone near me wants the unit, I also have the various levers etc to go onto the table, as well as the table mount which holds the unit and the bearings for the table traverse handle etc if they can convince me that they are going to use it themselves and not strip if for parts and sell it on I would be happy for them to come and collect it.

Else, I suppose I could be talked into packaging it up for a courier that you pay for and arrange to collect at a convenient time.

In the unlikely event that I am inundated "You never Know" with just good causes I will pick the winner out of a hat, to try and be as fair as I can.

If your interested give me a good reason for me to give it to you

I hope to help someone out!

Gary

Yes David, as I said I understand that Grizzly machines are not sold in the UK although they do offer the price in UK pounds on their site and offer to ship to the Uk, not sure as to what that might cost.

Cheaper than a new M300 I hear you say.

I agree with your comments on colour, yes I see that there are a lot of crossovers ref machines, re-badging and probably coming out of the same factory. Some of the Balleigh machines look better, bur are expensive, unsure with Chester, not sure about Amadeal I could go on....

So I keep coming back to the Harrison M300, maybe Boxford x10 and Colchester student models. Whilst I like some of the older models like Chipmaster, Bantham, the older Harrison L5 etc s for the newer offerings the triumph 's are two big i.e 7 horsepower, The M400 too big, the M350vs lovely but to big, can't help but think the M250 is a poor mans M300.

Now as I have to be up at 5.30 am I need to get some sleep, catch you tomorrow.  Thanks for all your valued input

Gary

Edited By Absolute Beginner on 10/11/2017 01:22:03

David, I admire your commitment to the cause.

I must confess I have considered dismissed, re considered and sort of dismissed Warco laths, I Know this might seem quite trivial but the colour puts me off

I love the look and have seen good and bad posts on the Grizley machines, but they are not available here in the uk, at least there are not any uk dealers that I am aware off. I haven't dismissed your comments on the Boxford X10, as you can see by my posts I have been deliberating for some time but can still easily be swayed.

Its just about trying to make the right choice at the right price. If I carry on much longer I will just end up buying a new one and have done with it, and that will be a serious misuse of funds.

Gary

Hi Bazyle,

Yes I have browsed the Yahoo Harrison group, and I have spent a lot of time researching the various options open to me, as well as most of the clone offerings. I wasn't aware, at least hadn't thought about it enough i.e the Qiuck Change Gear Box, very very good point. Thank you

Gary

I am begging to realise this David

Andrew, you are on a roll. Thank you.

The amount of 300's and students sold must stand for something. I am not suggesting there are no better lathes out there I am sure there are; but they are my first choice. Tooling whilst great if ts with the machine is not a show stopper, Ill pay what I have too as the need arises.If the need arises.

I guess I am basing a lot of my thoughts on my Bridgeport mill I purchased from a dealer who had 8 Bridgeport's at the time. Different ages, different prices, some belt, some varispeed, Some had tables that looked like a hole had been drilled in it each day of its use, One with a break in the table where some idiot had overtightened the T nuts and pulled the iron out of the bed, Stevie had also painted two of them.

The lowest price was about £1500, the highest was near 9K for a really immaculate machine, I plumped in the middle and got a fair result I feel. I am happy with it its clean, its a varispeed quiet and accurate.

Which is what I would like to achieve with a new lathe purchase, Quiet, Clean accurate and a fair price for its condition.

How hard can it be?

Gary

I totally agree that Stevie has certainly painted a lot of lathes in his time, but alas David Standings post with great pics also shows that grime will clean off and perhaps you have to look further than the dirt.

Whilst I have been trying to armchair evaluate lathes for sale I look at the pictures as closely as possible, to see if its a Stevie job, I try and look at the surrounding areas of where the lath is sited. Clean workshop might mean clean well looked after machine.

It certainly appears to be a lottery. I guess I have to decide on a budget and try and stick with it, with my previous thoughts by budget kept rising I was starting to consider silly money for my needs 7K wish in honesty thats getting ridiculous for what I might need and will use for.

I am not looking to make a living with this machine, its for hobby and fun use, problem is I don't want to just put a pile of £50 on the floor set fire to it and keep chucking more on to keep it going.

Its apparent from your posts, that there are some bargains out there to be had, even just good machines for the money would be a fair comment, but they are going to take. a lot of searching and travelling.

The search for Garys lathe continues, I just don't want to get fired by the wife for excessive spending..

Gary

Hi Carl,

Thanks for your kind offer much appreciated.

I thought I knew everything until I joined this forum where I realised I now know a lot about nothing, at least nothing that is relevant to my needs ref engineering

Again thanks for your kind offer

Gary

Carl,

Mostly where people have not read my initial posting and then told me what I have already stated or just gone off on a tangent.

You can't appreciate everything all the time, can you?

Gary

Again thanks for your replies, some interesting reading, and a complete variance of experiences.

I think there is some real truth in "do you feel lucky".

I live in sunny Norwich , Norfolk where I can never seem to find anything advertised that is suitable locally. So everything tends to require a long car drive, and the inevitable transport costs of getting something home.

Whilst I don't mind getting into the car to go and view something, I need to be half sure from initial pics and conversations etc that it might have a chance of being half descent.

Its a total minefield. But appreciate all your comments and experiences. I shall keep looking and will find something suitable, whether it is a gem or I pay through the nose for a dog which will undoubtably come out over time " posts for help" as I am new to the forum but have appreciated some of the comments and suggestions received on this and other posts. Again thanks

Gary

Hi Alan,

Sorry I was trying to use some of your comments.. Constructive advise and understood. Its a minefield, and whilst I want to get a clean usable machine like everybody I suppose I don't want to pay excessive money if I can avoid it.

I wouldn't contemplate a more expensive machine without a DRO and as for the tools extras etc well understood a point made by many; and good advise. Thank you for your time and nice to see your workshop pic. Looking good...

Gary

David,

Thank you for your reply. Yes I will inspect any lathe before purchasing, and will take along someone with far more knowledge and experience than me, I am just trying to get some ideas before I drive all over the country!

I had never considered the Boxford, but appreciate your comments and nice pic and will consider them as an option, your comments ref the Harrison are spot on, I don't want to pay excessive money just for a name, but at at the same time there is lots of rubbish out there.

Good food for thought. I appreciate your time and reply and I must say that the pic you posted reflects the condition of machine "in photo" I would consider getting into my car for to inspect in person . You understand where I am coming from Again many thanks Gary.

Hi all,

If this question that has been asked a million times before, please feel free to point me to the relevant posts/thread, with abuse as necessary. But.....

I thought I would ask these questions in the hope that I may be able to make an informed decision having sifted through any answers, albeit subjective and contradictory I assume, as the questions I guess have very subjective and variable answers.

I am looking for a reasonable M300 or Student Lathe...Now I know everyones idea of reasonable will be different....so if I try and explain what I mean here.

From a few months of looking it would appear there are a lot of lathes for sale from dealers and online that appear grubby, at least to look at, some look cosmetically touched up, often poorly, some looked clapped out. I know pictures provide a very small insight into a lathes past but you have to start your judgements somewhere, before getting into the car as they are all over the country.

I have found a few lathes M300 that are around 10 ish years old and they appear to be going for around the 5 - 6K + the dreaded VAT obviously from dealers. They look clean and tidy but.....

Would it be a safer bet purchasing a 10 year old machine, that looks at least on initial inspection of photos to be clean and tidy for that kind of money, which I presume will be in reasonably good condition, or an earlier model for around 4K that looks clean, cosmetically used, but perhaps functional? WhenI say function I assume some wear and tear but usable for general machining to a reasonable level of accuracy

I know I maybe asking how long is a piece of string with so many variables but I guess what I am trying to ask is that even if a machine has had 10 years of heavy use the likelihood is that it may be in better condition that a nice looking machine, that may even appear cosmetically superior in photos of around 20 - 30 years old or more?

I guess I am trying to ask in people opinions, how long are the bedways expected to last, spindle bearings, gears etc

Its difficult to decide if 1K 2K 4K or 7K is going to get a reasonable usable machine. More money as we all know docent necessarily equal a better device. Whilst I don't have a bottomless pit I would rather spend a little extra if it results in a better machine......but I feel there is no easy answer?

Whilst I am getting familiar and reasonably competent "in my opinion" with my Mill I have never used a lathe, so should I just get a small/medium Warco or the likes to get me going...my thoughts here are that I will just be throwing money away as I will get fed up with it, outgrow it quickly and wish I had bought my initial choice.

Any thoughts ?

Gary

Well I have learnt to hang back a little before jumping in so some people have the chance to leave a reply.

Thank you and some of the replies have indeed helped me to understand and have given the answer to my question

Again many thanks

Gary

Hello,

Sorry for posting such a basic request but I wonder if anyone can help me as to where I can obtain locally or via post the correct lubricants, way oil, spindle etc for my Bridgeport. I live in sunny Norfolk

Gary

Larry, its nearly beer o'clock - thats when its time to do something

Gary

Interesting answers but due to my poor explanation "sorry" only XD351 understood what I was actually asking, thank you.

So not interested in the nod as you say of the head "up and down" I use one of the single dual indicator devices for that and ensure the head is perpendicular to the table on both axis.

I was trying to ensure that the head rotation is indeed aligned with the table at 90 degrees, yes you can clamp a bar to the table, but how do you know that the bar is running parallel to the table in the first place.

I guess that that does not matter as log as the spindle and hence head is trammed parallel

Thank you all.

Gary