Warco GH1236 vs Chester Crusader

Hi. As per title - I want a 38mm spindle bore lathe and have narrowed the choice to the Warco GH1236 and Chester Crusader. Can anyone advise the pros and cons of each?

Thanks

There are other offerings that have a 38 mm bore spindle, or are you wanting a gh lathe?

Edited By John Rudd on 13/10/2017 12:42:30

I had a look at the SPG site and could only find a 21mm spindle bore lathe?

Ahh, sorry about that.....not sure why they dont list one, thats where I got mine from....after agonising over which 38 mm bore lathe to buy...

Warco one looks like a revamp of the old long standing machine offered by many many others.
Out the two Warco has an extra 100mm between centres and does include 4 Jaw and coolant that would add £200 to Chester offering.
Just cant believe how much theyve risen in no time, retail was £1950 without bargaining, nearly bought one but stuck out for another robust Harrison.

Hi Otley.

I have a Chester crusader de luxe . It is now 9 years and I have owned it for 4 years. Like all eastern made lathes its a bit rough. The handles are all locktited in place as tightening alone did not stop them from coming loose. There is a leak some where from the gear boxes as the spillage tray is always wet with oil. The spillage tray itself does not empty when using coolant and the tray is silicone sealed to make sure that does not leak around the headstock. The indents on the gear change handles are poor. Many a time I have not located them correctly and crashed the gears. The gears are noisy as is the main drive. I run with slightly thicker oil to try to help keep it quiet.

The chucks are oversize. I have bought new backing plates and added burned chucks with sensible sized jaws so I can hold parts correctly.

The cabinet doors are alway a fight to open as they are poorly made.

The cross slide unwinds itself during turning so the gib strip is over tight to stop this happening.

I could go on moaning.

I had a 5" Boxford from the late 70's which I sold before buying this thing. I am now looking for another as the crusader is not very good at all.

Brian

Hello Otley,

I bought Warco's GH1322 a couple of years ago.

I must say that I'm generally very happy with it.

There's no secret that these machines are made to a price; that's how the likes of me can afford one.

Yes, it has a few little bemoans, but nothing that impedes it from performing as was promised.

Can't have a Rolls for the price of a Mini, but that doesn't stop the Mini from performing well and being very popular.

Hi Otley,

I bought Warco's GH1236 lathe about 4 years ago. I have not had any problems with it at all.

Another factor with Warco is they returned my phone calls which was not the case with Chester.

Hope this helps . I have no connection with Warco. Just a satisfied customer.

Nick Bald

Thanks - very interesting. I visited the Chester showroom and asked about delivery. It was £100 extra to the ticket price and kerbside only. Warco seem to include delivery and a man with pallet trolley will get it somewhere near your workshop. I think I'm tending more towards green than white at the moment.

I haven't visited Warco as it's a bit far, but probably will before I make what is still quite a financial commitment.

Hi Otley,

Next time round,I think I might visit Warco too,seem to be a good place to deal with.

Hi Otley

Both Chester and Warco are shown as being at the Midlands show at the end of the coming week. It might be worth dropping them both an email to see if they are bringing either of the machines you are interested in so you can compare them on the same day.

Otley,

I bought my 626 mill from Chester, the man in the van placed the pallett right outside my garage door for me......a good 65-70 feet from the kerbside.....

Morning, I will have a Crusader Deluxe with me at the Midlands show in a couple of days, and I am sure Warco will have their variant with them as well, so a good chance to compare both machines in the same place at the same time!

All the best,

Tony

Chester Machine Tools.

Edited By Tony - CHUK on 16/10/2017 10:55:07