Can I ask members for their advice on these two...???

I've had some great advice and just had a fantastic chat with Martin King on the phone...definitely a lot wiser...thanks to all the advice it's much appreciated...

If you are not experienced, I would consel against buying an old machine, especially from a E auction site, where the chances of being able to examine it are small or non existent.

And as recent Forum posts have shown, there are scammers out there waiting for the unwary.

An old machine will lack the features "normal" to more modern machines, may be worn or damaged, and could have parts missing. Finding replacements can be problematical, even IF a part can be found. It may be even more worn or damaged than the part that you want to replace. Or your machine may be a Mk1, and the part, when it arrives turns out to be for a Mk2A. and so either will not fit

(They upgraded / changed the gears, sizes or threads? May even have inverted things like dovetails)

It might even be a total hybrid, an All Spare Parts, assembled by someone whose only skill is making a good paint job! Maybe misassembled / maladjusted.

A bargain perhaps, if you know what you are doing, but an expensive mistake if you don't.

Restoring an old machine to running order, and using it can be a very satisfying part of the hobby. But not necessarily for the inexperienced, impatient or impecunious.

Fantastic work has been done on old machines. There are folk on the Forum producing excellent work on machines that are a century old. A former working colleague can produce work on a pre 1920 machine that I lack the skill to match.with a 2003 one. But that is my shortcoming!

You might even end up in the Catch 22 situation of needing the machine that is pieces to make the very part that needs replacement!

A friend bought a 80 year old machine. Basically good, but it would not turn parallel. The problem was solved, using my lathe to make repair part.

Having helped lightly repair / restore a few oldies, for friends, I have been fortunate in having my own machines available to make / modify / restore parts. Without such facilities life could have been difficult.

Caveat emptor!

Howard

Thanks Howard...I'd thought between an old one and a new one with my budget and I think a new one is the way to go...cheers...

Don't forget new ones need setting up as well, they do not work their best straight out of the box.

Don't waste the guarantee by buying too early, I did that with a roll/bend/shear 3 way machine that was very poor.

Cheers Dave...I've picked up some decent books and one details setting up etc...

It is worth considering the uses to which the lathe will be put. If space and budget will allow, my advice would be to buy a little larger than you first think. You can do small work on a large machine, but the reverse can be difficult, frustrating, if not impossible.

Your budget should include an allowance for tooling and measuring equipment. Don't forget a 4 jaw independent chuck You will need one before too long!

If you are a newbie, making a few simple accessories or tools can save money, help familiarise you with the machine, and provide useful learning experience. Some of the gadgets may be unique to your machine and workshop.

Articles in M E W will show the kind of things that have been made, to make life easier, or to improve / extend the capabilities of your machine. Your version may be a scaled up, or down, even improved / specific to your machine, version of that shown in the article, but will be useful, all the same.

Before launching into a purchase, it may be worth obtaining and reading a few books. They will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. The knowledge will not be wasted.

Zeus Charts are always useful. Still using mine bought in 1958, and later editions.

L H Sparey "The Amateur's Lathe" Focuses on the Myford ML7 but sets out basic principles.

Ian Bradley "The Amateur's Workshop" Deals with matters additional to lathe work, a good companion to Sparey

Tubal Cain "Model Engineers Handbook" is a very useful reference book containing all sorts of data that will be needed from time to time.

Dave Fenner and Neil Wyatt have both written books on the mini lathe.

Harold Hall has written books on a variety of subjects pertaining to Model Engineering

The Workshop Practice Series contains booklets covering a wide variety of subjects, including Drills, taps and Dies, Screwcutting etc.

There are other books specifically on Screwcutting in the lathe, when your horizons expand

HTH

Howard

There's another advantage too of buying a popular brand, new or good-quality second-hand.

If you need ask advice on here for some difficult turning operation, say what make and model lathe it is, for then it's very likely you'll elicit answers from people familiar with that machine or one of its stable, and who may have performed similar tasks on theirs.