Member postings for JohnF

Charlie, you pays your money and ! ! ! these small units will only clean jewellery etc, if you want to do engineering items you need to go for a much larger unit and it will cost you £250 to £500 or more but you will get good results providing you use the correct additive in the fluid.

I have been using one to clean parts with ingrained muck for many years now and its the best labour saving item to date. You need one with at least 1 gallon + or 5-6 litres capacity and preferably a heater--have a look at this link.

This is not my unit I bought it elsewhere before these guys came on the ME scene but a pal bought one of these to clean carburettors and he is well pleased.

http://www.machine-dro.co.uk/6-5-litre-ultrasonic-cleaner-with-200w-heater-dial-control.html

Is it electronic ignition or a magneto? If its a magneto try a new condenser, at one time they either worked OK or were dead but now they don't die completely and can give the effect you are seeing.

Good luck John

Hello Mark, my heartiest congratulations on your philosophy -- "so help
myself I will"-- many people just don't---I wish you every success in your
endeavours. Unfortunately I am up north but if you do want to contact my by
email etc I will be more than happy to advise as I am sure many others in this
"club" will--I've been cutting metal for 50+ years now so have a fair
bit of knowhow I think. Everything from turning, milling, jig boring and
precision hand fitting. [Retired now]

Regarding a lathe, most advice has already been said but here's my 5 bits
anyway.

Myford is in my opinion probably the best small machine bar none for small
precision work--has its limitations but there is so much equipment to make the
machine more versatile than for any other lathe on the market. The Super 7 is defiantly
the model to go for but make sure you view the lathe before purchase--Ebay is
good but if its cheap it is probably for a reason--most times and the photos do
not really give a true story.

As Jeff says there are a lot of small industrial machines to be had and
there are advantages particularly if you start your own business to machine
parts for third parties--they are tougher and will remove material much faster
but you also need to consider they weigh a great deal more than the hobby
lathes. I would not worry about the 3 phase these days its easy to
convert--nice article in MEW a few issues back.