First lathe recommendation.

I started off with a mini-lathe (a Clarke - it was actually pretty good), but found I needed something bigger. At the time I was working with 3.5" loco's, but having bought a Chester 920, its big enough for 5" as well. Its also capable of screwcutting (which the mini lathe was not!!).. it does have a gearbox arrangement, even though you still have gears to swap around, but its something I have learned to live with, based on a budget.

I know its a Chinese machine, but for a price, its not a bad machine, and there's lots of advice on how to improve them and tailor them to personal preferences. They've been knocking these out since the 80's.

Del.

When I read posts like the above, I always think of Kozo Hiraoka who had a workshop 8 feet by 8 feet in the corner of his living room, and he produced world-class results, both in terms of modelling, but also in researching, design, and writing.

Sorting through the "requirements" from the "wishes" is always difficult, because "wishes" become "requirements". Sailors call this "two-foot-itis" - having a boat 2 feet longer would solve all of the problems of their world, until they realize it's too big to manage!

For me, if I had a choice, I'd send away my large lathe, and keep an Emco Compact-8, with change wheels, and it's vertical head bolted to the back of the bed. I know, not "ideal" but suitable.

Just my two cents - Another JohnS.

Sieg SC3 would be my vote and from ArcEurotrade not Axminster. Simply because I reckon Arc are second to none where Sieg kit is concerned. I would go for the SC3 rather than the SC2 because it sounds like the biggest you can afford, and you will have to live with it for a long time, so it will give you some "head room" as you get into the hobby.

Just a few thoughts from a hobbyist. Not a time served machinist!

Steve

Again, thanks for the input everyone. The Sieg certainly seems to be a popular choice. My concern is that, having read a couple of reviews, it sounds like a strip down and rebuild is - if not inevitable - then certainly highly likely if I want it to perform as advertised. Considering that I'm a newbie to all this, the idea of having to strip down and rebuild my first lathe before I can use it properly seems somewhat daunting. The Warco lathes on the other hand apparently come all set up and ready to go. If the advertising is to be believed then it is simply a case of wiping off the protective grease layer and plugging it in, yet the comments above seem less complimentary about Warco. I live near Leamington Spa and so I reckon the Arceuro showroom in Leicester is about an hour north of me while the Warco showroom is a similar distance to the south so if I may well take a trip to each and have a look before committing myself one way or the other.

I am a volunteer with AgeUK Cheshire "men in sheds". About 6 months ago two of the "sheds" were supplied with SC3s by Arc Euro. Most of the chaps who use the lathes have never used a lathe before,so as you might imagine they are often treated rather roughly. To date we have had no problems whatsoever. I have no hesitation in recommending them and the excellent service from Arc Euro.

Cheers Derek.

P.S. Ketan, please ignore the above remarks about treatment as I think they are still under guarantee.

Jim,

pm sent.....check your in box

Jim,

As you live near Leamington Spa it's a shame you just missed the Midlands Show in October. Warco had a stall there with most of their machines on display.

As far as stripping the machine down is concerned, I partially did this with mine following the guide on ARCs site (didn't remove the headstock), but I don't think it was really necessary for a beginner. I learnt a lot about how the lathe was put together though. You can always do it later when feeling more confident.

If you intend to visit ARC I would give them a ring first.

Gary

I went to the Midlands show - just managed to catch the last hour of it on my way home from work. I wasn't quite ready to take the plunge then and didn't want to rush the decision as the traders were all beginning to pack up. Thanks for the tip about ARC - I'll be sure to do that.

Jim

cant stop laughing....

Hi Jim,

In ARCs opinion, all Chinese lathes are of similar build, be they from ARC, Tom, Dick or Harry....

In ARCs opinion, all Chinese lathes and mills require some kind of strip, adjust, lubricate at some point, depending on users experience and requirements. it is true that SIEGs or any others work straight out of the box. How much and what you wish to depend on with regard to marketing stuff any one of us sellers say, is up to you. At the end of the day, the choice is really yours.

Regardless of what you buy and who you buy from, at the end of the day, this is a hobby, and you you will enjoy making swarf on which ever lathe you buy. Just keep an open mind.

Ketan at ARC.

Thanks Ketan, I think I'm going to be paying you a visit in the next week or so!

Jim

Good thinking Jim !

Cheers Derek.

I bought an Arceuro X1L mill a year ago and an Arceuro C3 lathe in the summer, never having touched a piece of metal in anger before this. I have stripped, cleaned and adjusted both with enormous improvement in performance of each, but more importantly, I have learned what makes them tick and am no longer scared of metal working machines.