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What is the ultimate lathe for model engineering

Machine selection

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Andrew Johnston08/09/2010 11:27:41
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7061 forum posts
719 photos
Hi John,
 
Thanks for the info, I was pretty sure that I didn't understand due to a lack of knowledge on my part!
 
Regards,
 
Andrew
Jim Nolan19/09/2010 19:37:05
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77 forum posts
What you can afford
Bogstandard19/09/2010 21:22:19
263 forum posts
Any machine is only as good as the person operating it.
 
You could buy the most expensive gizmo available, but if you haven't a clue how to use it correctly, it may as well be a hammer and chisel.
 
I personally loathe people who have too much money to spend on machinery, thinking it will make them better machinists.
Being a good machinist isn't reliant on the size of a wallet, you can't buy experience and the ability to work with what you have to hand.
 
Bogs
Stephen Benson19/09/2010 22:15:23
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203 forum posts
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Posted by Bogstandard on 19/09/2010 21:22:19:
Any machine is only as good as the person operating it.
 
You could buy the most expensive gizmo available, but if you haven't a clue how to use it correctly, it may as well be a hammer and chisel.
 
I personally loathe people who have too much money to spend on machinery, thinking it will make them better machinists.
Being a good machinist isn't reliant on the size of a wallet, you can't buy experience and the ability to work with what you have to hand.
 
Bogs

 Just as driving a top of the range car does not make you a better driver, how ever it does make the driving experience more enjoyable we are supposed to be having fun after all?

_Paul_19/09/2010 22:26:40
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543 forum posts
31 photos
Posted by ady on 08/09/2010 00:56:00:
I also remember seeing one which sat on the front of the bike, (about a million years ago).
 
It had a little circular wheel of about 3 inches which lay on the front wheel of the bike to power it along.

I bet the poor tyre didn't last long though. 
 
Possibly a Velosolex?
 
 
Still made today in France
Chris Trice19/09/2010 23:20:04
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1376 forum posts
10 photos
What SB said. Who is to say what is too much money? The simple truth is that given equal skills, a good machinist will produce a better more accurate product on good quality expensive machinery and or produce equally good quality product with greater ease in less time on good quality more expensive equipment. Makes you wonder why we aren't all using treadle lathes rather than splashing out precious money on motorised machines? An expensive car with traction control is more likely to get you to your destination quicker and more safely than an unreliable heap with lever arm shock absorbers regardless of the skill of the driver. Sometimes spending a bit of cash is justified.  Not everyone revels in the ability to start fires by rubbing two sticks together when you can buy a box of matches. If you don't have the money or don't wish to spend it, there is always an alternative way to achieve something but rarely do those alternatives make the job easier or quicker. I'm not rich (I wish) but I do recognise when an investment is worth it.
ChrisH20/09/2010 12:42:38
1023 forum posts
30 photos
This is a bit like, in sailing terms, the discussion often heard in sailing circles of 'what boat should I buy as an ideal boat'.
 
And as Andrew Johnson says with a lathe and a mill, with a boat it's all to do with what you want to do with a boat.  And again twisting what AJ says, with a boat the best advice was always go buy a suitable boat, go sailing, and then you will discover what  boat you will really like and need for the sailing you plan to do.  No point in buying a deep keel ocean cruiser if all you want to do is potter round the shallow places in the Solent on a weekend.
 
Again, as has been said above, think long and hard as to your needs, space and pocket and then: 
Buy the lathe and mill you think will best suit your current needs and circumstances and see how you get on with them.  If they prove unsuitable for your needs, or you needs change, you can change the lathe and/or mill too, by which time you will have a better idea what YOU want, and not what someone else wants for you!
Axel20/09/2010 16:51:18
126 forum posts
1 photos
When it comes to buying stuff, I allways buy what I want, rather than whats most sensible.
 
There is no ideal machine, or anything, its a matter of preference. And it allways takes a few buys before one feels confident with whats needed.
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