Member postings for Mike Freeman

'One advantage of second hand is that they often come with other kit that reduces their cost.'

This was the main reason for looking at the ML10. I didn't win it however as I was at work so will be going ahead and placing an order with Arc Euro for the SC3.

Of course, I've now also been eyeing up the SX2 Plus milling machine as well

I am bidding on a ML10 on ebay, it's from a model loco engineer so hopefully in good shape. Not sure how high to go but if it gets anywhere near the price of the SC3 I'll give up.

I know people say to get the biggest you can but space is at a premium in my workshop and a smaller SC3 or ML10 would fit nicely on the bench. I don't want to make myself short of space for the sake of a few things I could get done on someone else's bigger lathe.

I think I have settles on a Don Young 4F as my first model but will be working on general bits to learn some skills before I work on that. I'll be 'building' it in CAD first so I know exactly how it goes together.

Thanks for all the replies, some great advice here.

I would rather buy a new machine if possible. I just don't know enough about it to check what I'm buying and whether it's set up and working properly.

I live in Ashford Kent so will join one of the local clubs at some point. There is one in Romney Marsh and also Canterbury.

The main aim really is to learn machining skills. Ending up with a loco will be a bonus as I've always been interested in railways but there is no rush to get it built. The whole thing is a learning exercise as much as anything.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm currently trying to decide on a loco to eventually build but it will be something suitable for a beginner. I was thinking of a small tank loco such as the Boxhill or Simplex which both have 4 3/8 wheels.

Other than the size of the parts would this machine be man enough to do the job?

Regards

Mike

Hi

I am a complete novice in terms of machining and am coming from a 3D printing & 3D design background.

I'd like to learn some machining skills and have been looking at lathes with a view to building some steam engine kits and eventually getting into steam loco building.

I don't have a large budget and was looking at old Myfords on ebay but then started looking at the Chinese offerings and found the Sieg SC3 on Arceuro.

I have no issue with Chinese machines and know from 3D printing that you can get some capable machines and the fettling and upgrading is all part of the fun.

I don't however want to buy a machine that just isn't capable of doing what I want or have to buy twice so my question is, would the Sieg SC3 be capable of machining things like the Stuart models engine kits and then also be able to do the machining required for something like a 5" loco?

Regards

Mike