Member postings for Keith Fox

Hi, a while after I bought my Axminster SC4 lathe I changed the standard toolpost for QCTP which I bought from Axminster. On reading some posts recently I had a closer look at both toolposts and realised that when I tighten the original one the toolpost clamps firmly on to the cross slide, whereas when I tighten up the QCTP, it is actually just tightens on the spacer between it and the cross slide, so there is far less contact compared with the original one.

My question is should I modify the QCTP spacer so that it sits firmly on the cross slide or should i leave it as it is?

Thanks, Keith

Hi, I am proposing to purchase a Warco WM14 mill with factory fitted magnetic DRO which reads linear travel only. However, I have been advised that the factory fitted DRO is incompatable with the optical glass linear DRO that Warco can supply themselves plus the Warco supplied DRO can calculate a pcd.

Can anyone explain to me what I would be loosing by going for the cheaper factory fitted DRO (magnetic) as opposed to the more expensive DRO. I thought that there wasn't much difference between the magnetis strips as opposed the the glass optical strips.

Anyone's advice would be much appreciated.

Keith

I did the course in August and it was excellent.

Enjoy yourself.

Keith

Hi, I recently bought a lathe and am now thinking of buying a mill, possibly a Sieg SX2. However, not being experienced with these, I was wondering what essential pieces of equipment that I also need to buy to go with it and I am talking about basics. I saw Arceurotrade's advert for the SC4 lathe package and was really looking for a list of essential kit like that.

Thanks for your help.

Keith

We had the choice, Bob demonstrated external thread cutting to us on my course, but I'm pretty sure that everyone including me used a tap and die.

Keith

I was planning to stay at the Cottage Marsh B&B as it was very reasonably priced, no problem with parking, nice breakfast and only 100 yards from The Flintlock Inn. To be honest I couldn't anything as nearly good value. You suggested that you wanted to stay in a pub, well the Cottage B&B used to be a pub the owner told and the rooms there are in what used to be the skittle alley. So you get your wish, it's just that they don't sell alcoholic drinks any more.

Keith

I ate in The Eagle Tavern on the Monday and The Flintlock in on the Tuesday. The Flintlock Inn doesn't open on Mondays and you may need to book in advance as they were turning people that hadn't booked, away. Eagle Tavern was good value, Flintlock Inn, was better quality and pricier.

I'm thinking of doing the 5 day engineering course in April and would plan to stay there for the week.

Keith

I stayed at the Cottage Marsh B&B, 25 minute drive away from Axminster. Cost me £79 for 2 nights, but make sure you book for 1, as I booked for 2 initially and price was £120. 1 pub/restaurant in walking distance, a second a short drive away. I would even be willing to take my wife there for a couple of nights.

Keith

That's exactly what I made. I took a few pictures this morning with the intention of uploading them, but you beat me. Lol.

Keith

I recently bought a Sieg SC4 lathe from Axminster. I have no regrets in buying it, but having seen the article and advert for the SC4 from Arceurotrade, which was significantly cheaper than mine, was wondering if there was any difference between them. I am aware that often similar machines from the same manufacturer are made to a price and of slightly different specifications, but was wondering if this was the case with the Sieg SC4 lathes available in the UK.

Keith

I went on the same course in August and I have to agree with Andy that I also cannot recommend this course highly enough. I had never done anything on the lathe before, although I had bought a small Chinese one. I was so impressed with the work piece that I managed to produce. I am thinking of going on the 5 day, lathe and milling course some time next year.

Unfortunately, when I cam back from the course I looked at my lathe and decided that it wasn't good enough so immediately order a Sieg SC4 (the same as used on the course) from Axminster.

Keith

Nice selection of motorbikes, mine can't quite compare with those. I have a 1974 Triumph Trident T150V, a 1974 Triumph Adventurer TR5T and a Tribsa, BSA B50 frame with a Triumph 3TA engine in it. The one nearest to being road worthy is the TR5T, maybe I'll get it sorted out next year.

A milling machine sounds good and I'm sure will arrive one day, but I really want to get to know the lathe better first.

Thanks, already proving to be a good forum.

Keith

Have you considered the Sieg SC4. Arceurotrade have a bundle advertised in the latest edition of Model Engineers' Workshop for £1,500. I would have considered it myself if I hadn't just bought 1 from Axminster.

I am just a beginner, but it does seem like a good lathe to me.

Keith

Just a quick message to introduce myself.

I live in South London, near Sutton.

I have always had a desire to use a metal working lathe and recently bought an Axminster SC4 lathe and have gradually been buying the tools to go with it.

Other than the desire to learn how to use the lathe, I am interested in classic motorcyces and have 3 of them, all looking like a motorcycle, but none of them actually working, only having a modern working motorcycle.

Keith

I recently purchased a metal working lathe and am quite new to the world of metal lathes.

I've just bought an ER32 MT2 collet holder and ER32 collets from various sources.

My problem is that the clamping nut seems to have an off-centre bearing surface inside it, this I assume is the part of the claming nut that clamps the collets tight. This doesn't seem correct to me as it means that when it is clamped up tight, the top of the collet is well below the top of the clamping nut.

I have bought a collet holder from a Chinese company, a collet nut also from a Chinese company and a collet holder from a well known UK company and the clamping nut has the off-centre hole exactly the same in all 3 cases.

Is this correct or have I been unlucky.

Any comments/advice would be more than welcome.

Thanks, Keith