Member postings for William Ayerst

Thank you all for the sage advice, I guess it seems like a case of choosing the lesser evil - smaller vs lighter, etc. etc. - I will think about it. Given there is no 'perfect' choice I am thinking to myself: why not shoot for the moon and reconsider the Myford ML7 or Super7? Ah well, time to have a hard think.

Thank you!

For the same price (£1250ish), 90% of the spec is identical, the only differentiators I can see are:

Warco WM180:

• Larger chucks
• Larger brushed motor
• Graduated Tailstop handwheel
• Thread Dial indicator
• 40kg heavier
• DRO

Arc SC3-400

• 100mm extra length between centres
• Smaller Brushless motor

Unfortunately there are no versions of the WM180 with a longer bed, the next one up is another £400 which I guess I'd 'put' into a Mill.

Are there any objectively more important factors in those differentiators than others?

Thank you both, sorry for the miscommunication. I meant the SC3-400 or SC2-300 from Arc. JasonB, could you elaborate a bit about the pulley ratios? It's not explained anywhere and I'm a bit confused. I like the idea of a more substantial machine but don't want to end up paying £300+ more for no reason...

re: warco fettling- this is what I meant, maybe it was the wrong words:

• Each machine is fully tested by a member of our team and comes with an individual accuracy test report.

With regard to milling - it seems that every YouTube machinist I've come across has a separate mill, but I'm not sure how much of a requirement that is for general use? Thinking of small cast iron castings and components for small live steam.

I have seen some guides on making a milling 'pallet' that sits on the cross slide and allows an angle plate and then a vertical milling slide to be mounted - but then also heard that milling on a lathe is limited and better to spend a few hundred pounds on a dedicated machine? The SC3 has a milling attachment available direct: https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Lathes/SIEG-C3-SC2-SC3-Mini-Lathes/C3-SC2-SC3-Accessories/C2-C3-SC2-SC3-Milling-Attachment but I've heard it's not very robust...

I am not clear on the requirement for a tumbler gear for 'normal purposes' - I don't know how many left handed threads I'd want to cut?

Edited By William Ayerst on 20/10/2020 10:53:07

Edited By William Ayerst on 20/10/2020 10:57:04

Good morning gents,

I'm in the market for a small lathe that I can use for small live steam (G1/3.5" as well as static engines (<7" flywheel). I have done my own research and believe I've narrowed down my choice to one of a) a Sieg C3 from Arc, b) a Warco Super Mini, or c) a Warco WM180.

I have strongly considered a Myford/Boxford/Colchester but I have decided that this isn't for me - I just don't know what I don't know and don't want to risk buying a lemon.

My question is twofold: should I get the WM180 or a mini lathe, and if a mini lathe is there a compelling reason to buy from Arc over Warco because the specifications suggest Warco is a better choice.

WM180 vs 'Mini Lathe'

• All are 7" swing lathes, but there are some differences. The 'mini' lathes have a backgear and brushless motor, whereas the WM180 doesn't. I've tried to contact Warco to find out why and if this will affect torque at low RPM, but haven't heard anything. Any thoughts?
• The WM180 also doesn't have a backgear, whereas both the C3 and the Super Mini do.

Mini Lathes - Sieg C3 vs Super Mini

• While Arc has a good reputation, it no longer fettles the lathes. Whether that is due to their quality or the economic unfeasibilty I don't know, but Warco do.
• The Super Mini comes with a 4" chuck, thread dial indicator and metal handles. the TDI/handles are available from Arc for a £60 surcharge, but the gent on the phone there suggested that if a 4" chuck was retro fitted onto the C3 it would also need new bearings.
• The Super Mini has a 50mm longer swing, splitting the difference between the two Sieg C3 models.

Any thoughts or advice would be gladly taken.

Many thanks,