Member postings for David Harvey 3

Thanks everyone for all your help I will keep looking and maybe up the budget a little.

Thanks for that Peter I think that rules that one out, my budget is approx £1000 plus tooling as and when I need it as I said not sure what I will make with one but I know I don't want one of the micro lathes I would like something in the range of 500mm between centres

In Northern Ireland we are very limited regards choice of machines, local machines don't come around to often I have been looking since March,I thought the atlas being able to turn 10' with power cross feed would probably fit the bill.I know the Chester comes with delivery charge, I like the look of the old machines compared to modern ones, also I know parts can be hard to source for some, I have seen some nice used lathes for sale across the water but it is a long way to travel to then find out its clapped out plus most of the firms don't seem to have the stock at the moment everyones help is greatly appreciated.

Hi all, looking for advice I have just retired and going to buy my first lathe as I loved doing it at school I have a choice of a Chester 920 lathe new at £813 or a old atlas 5' power cross slide with indexing feature built into the head stock for £830 very good condition bare machine, before anyone asks I don't no what I will make with it just want a new hobby, which would be the Best Buy for first lathe.

Thanks for all the wise words of wisdom and suggestions,and especially Larry for his very kind offer, goes to show there are lots of very kind people still left in the world.

Thanks for all the replies a lot of sound advice, I live in a old house with a small garage attached I think it must have been built for a Morris minor or something that size, I already have lots of normal tools so space is tight but its heated.At the end of the day think I will go with a new machine and as you say get the biggest one I can afford the max length of lathe I can fit in after rejigging everything is 4 feet, second hand lathes over here are rarer than rocking horse poo if I bought second in across the water I would have to take owners word on condition plus the hassle of them putting it on a pallet god knows the cost of transport to the west of Ireland. You all seem a nice bunch of willing people.

Ps will let you know what I choose.

Hi all from Northern Ireland, I am trying to choose a first lathe but finding it a bit bewildering as regards all the different makes and models. I am now retired and want to learn how to use a lathe I enjoyed it at school I like using my hands to make things. I have a budget of 1000 to 1500 have seen people recommend a belt drive were others say a variable drive at first I will make hammers and the like to learn, but then make larger stuff but don't don't know what yet depends on how quick I learn I would like a machine that I don't have to change in a couple of years time I was thinking around around 400 to 500mm between centres would do and no longer than 1200 in length any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

Just starting out in this hobby and trying to find out everything I can regards lathes, how to use them properly and what I can make with them. I was going to start a few years ago but something always got in the road now that I have retired I have the time but not necessarily the money. I Just found this site recently and what a joy it is. Just have to choose a lathe first, I like the look of the boxfords and raglans rather than the new Chinese lathes I know I will pick up enough tips here to help me choose