Toolcl BG1224 Lathe

After too many years to mention I am in a position to inverst in a lathe. I have looked at a few on paper and the Toolco BG1224 is currently at the top of my list. This is based on the spindle bore at an inch and 3/8 and a screw cutting gear box,all at a reasonable price. Has anybody out there got one ? Would you recommend it. Any fundamental flaws ? All thoughts welcome, Thanks

Hello Chris,

Welcome to THE best hobby imaginable, be it making steam engines or tools.

The lathe looks identical to my Warco BH600G.

I bought mine 2nd hand unseen from a model engineer at t'other end of the country.

More than happy with it, and recommend that form without reservation, but, always a but, provided the QC of Toolco is up to scratch.

If possible it's best to inspect the machine and move all the moving parts. I did this on a machine at MM some years ago and it felt as if the surfaces of the moving parts where serrated/knurled - horrible.

If you do purchase, do the mods I am and doing to mine, as it has totally transformed its operation.

Those done by Anthony Mount, and serialised in ME, are worth considering and they encouraged me to do mine.

Geoff - Blithering headache And NO not through imbibing to excess!

Welcome aboard Chris,

If Geoff is right and it's one of the BH600 'clones' then these are a fundamentally good design, but as he says you might take a look at versions from a few suppliers and compare quality and dealer support.

Neil

Who also has a drink-free hangover

Toolco BG1224. Chester do it as the Craftsman and Warco discontinued it as the BH600. Grizzly did it as the G9249 who have their manual online.

They have gone out of favour as all geared heads became cheaper but are the best available new traditional back geared lathe of that size. There is a yahoo group called 'import lathes' or something similar that coves this and similar chinese ones of the general 12x36 category.

G Howe (member on here to) has a few good modification ideas on his website too under the projects section.

Geof and Neil, Thanks for the advice, it sounds as if I am on the right path, considering my budget. Thanks again Chris.