The Quest for lathes

If you get some pictures up the guys can help you out

GL

An ordinary file will take off burrs without leaving abrasive grit on your machine tool ways. Even the "hardened" beds on many Chinese lathes can be deburred with an ordinary file.

+1 for pictures please. I would only worry about rough edges where they interfere with the operation of the machine.

I'm not sure it's "good practice" to start by dismantling a new lathe. Try it first. Do some tests. Some of the first Asian machines sold in the west had faults galore. A lot of the negative comment dates back 40 years and more. Modern machines seem to be much better despite being made down to a price. However, don't expect tool room quality at hobby prices!

My experiences buying Chinese have all been good. I expected problems and was pleasantly surprised to find that everything worked on delivery. Adjustment and finish were reasonable. In use, I have found and fixed several minor annoyances (such as a binding index dial) , but have never had a serious fault.

Dave

Or if they are a danger to your fingers!

Russell

Spend a couple hours cleaning the machine, just to get to know things i allso took tailstock and top sled apart. Cleaned everything down, every single tooth on a thread or anything else,got a cotton pick? , and fresh oil. Adjusted all gibs, so now it runs smooth as silk.

Some rough edges on all surfaces, but i expected that from a cheaper machine, the finish is costly, so they dont seem to do it properly (to my standards). I gently "kissed" all the rough edges with a fine stone, so now im not cutting my hands handling the machine. But now im nearly ready to try the damn thing out

Note to self: English electrical plugs are NOT the same as here. Could have told myself that, they drive in the wrong side of the road, and have weird ways to measure things -mph, inch, gallon and so forth :-]

Congratulations with your new lathe Christian, I did try to remove some rough/sharp edges on my lathe, well where I might happen to put my hands. Let us here how you are getting on.

Thor

He he. Will do a full review with pictures soon, just need to run the damn thing :-]

I have 2 options for solving the electrical issue. 1 cut off crazy plug, and install regular one. Do think it will void any warranty though. 2 - Pick up a nice black thin adaptor tomorrow. Think i have to wait 24 hour more. Guess ill go to my workshop away from home, and do some milling in the meantime..

... 2 - Pick up a nice black thin adaptor tomorrow...

From my experience if you so much as remove a screw / other small item the warranty is void! ...look on the back of pc's & other electrical equipment you will often see ... 'removal of this label will void any warranty' ... & this is the label that covers the screw that you have to get to, to remove the back cover!.

George.

Beware, many of the UK to EU plug adaptors I have come across don't have the necessary earth connection.

I have cut the plug off and fitted EU plugs to the machines I have bought from the UK. It's much safer.

Russell

.... Can i just Saw off the extra lenght, without messing Up the konus.

Yes. I used a grinder rather than a saw because the taper was hardened.

Make sure you leave enough length for the self-eject to work though.

Brian