Time for a new lathe

Am I getting too hung up on the spindle bore size or is 26mm enough

Hi petro1head I have a Warco 1232 I bought this because Warco had stopped doing the BH900 but when I went to the Harrogate show in 2010 they said that the BH600 was now available not been large enough I went for the 1232. Now just because it says out of stock on the warco website doesn't mean you can't get what you're after. I was told I'd have to wait for another shippment from China because the last batch of 1232's had all been sold before the were even in the country. I was waiting about 6 weeks. The variable spped lathes look good but do the have bolt on chucks as opposed to screw on or camlock, this can be a bit of a niggle. Warco and the Chester variants seem very similar. Just after I'd purchased mine the 1232 became the 1230 (don't know why) I've had my Warco 918 10 years now and the 1232 just 2 years and I'm highly satisfied. Must admit I love the 38mm bore of the 1232. But its what you need and what your pocket can afford.

Regards Lee **LINK**

The 26 has been OK for me and I've done 2" traction engine and some large hit & miss engines plus scratch built steam engines at upto double there original designs.

Toolco do the 38mm bore one as well but without the added cost of DRO & stand. Amadeal do not include some things that others fo like steadies and faceplates so work out the true costing before deciding. Chesters does not have power cross feed.

J

Is it workthwile waiting until the next exhibition which I belive is October ie will I benefit from any discount?

There are fewer show offers and discounts these days but there is the great advantage of getting to see the device in the flesh before buying which might be quite important as you are not familiar with them. A lot of people, like me, will have spent years at shows drooling over the shiney new kit and when thinking of parting with cash for real suddenly realise there are a lot of things to be checked on. After all it is only a couple of months away.

With regard to extras check specifically as bits may be left off/added to the websites. Also delivery. Warco include it in the price using their own transport who ( in my experience) will put it wherever a pallet truck can get but others charge and may use couriers who will only dump it on the kerb.

Petro1head, you asked if 26mm spindle bore is enough, well that depends on how big your work is. My old lathe has a 20mm bore and I often found that too small. So I went for the 290 lathe with a 38mm spindle bore. If I had been able to put a bigger lathe into my small workshop I would.

Thor

It all depends on what motor car work you intend to do. I used my 5 inch Atlas lathe in the restauration of a number of vintage cars from Austin sevens up to a 1930's Talbot sports racing car. Most of what I wanted to do was possible on the Atlas but I would like to have been able to skim the 16 inch ID brake drums on the latter and get half shafts through the bore.

Russell.

Just thought you guys would like to know I ended up getting the 290 from Warco. Should be delivered next Monday.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your help and advice

My ML7 will be up for sale soon as well

Edited By petro1head on 04/09/2013 12:31:20

Hi Petro1head,

congratulations with your new lathe. So you ended up with a WM 290, looking forward to hear more when you get it.

Thor

Hi Petro1head, bet you can't wait to stroke it. When I got my 1232 from warco I said to the wife what do you think then, the reply was the green doesn't match the miller. LoL

Regards Lee

On buying my lathe I pointed out it could be used to make useful things for the house. My wife is still asking where the wooden acorn pull for the bathroom lightswitch is. <Checks watch> fourteen years and waiting...

Neil

Sounds about the right responce from a woman

The advertised 280V-F looks a good buy; I have the 250V-F & the work I have done, albeit small, has been competently handled by the machine. Although I try not to put too much doc on, I have taken cuts of 1mm using tangential tool without any bother so the 280 should handle most things easily. As for after sales, Warco have been most accommodating with the issues I had with my lathe, & WM 16 Mill, & some tooling that I bought so they are fine in that respect, cannot comment on Chester / Amadeal as have had no dealings with either.

George

The 280 will take 0.100" or 2.5mm DOC in steel, that was at about 50mm dia.

J

George, I also have a 250. When you say 1mm doc, I assume you mean 2mm on the dial? I also use a tangential for most of my work..John

I thought about the 280 thats for sale but concluded it was not enough of a good buy. By the time I fectored in getting it delivered I felt I would be better buying a new one and having the years warranty

petro1head, I'm highly satisfied with the Warco backup, if you need to, Dave in the workshop can be contacted directly using the main Warco number option 6 I think. He's got me out of a pickle in the past, you may have to chase him he's a busy chap but very helpful and there's always Roger if you need a big gun. All suppliers can have problems but its how they sort them that matters. Good luck with your new lathe I'm sure you'll enjoy making swarf.

Regards Lee

New lathe has arrived so started a new thread **LINK**#