CHINESE LATHE TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES

I know the old saying you only get what you pay for but has anyone had any experience with regards to chinese tooling and accessories for myford ml4 lathe or similar

Les,

I have bought quite a few items of Chinese tooling from Arc and have been very pleased with them. I have not had much satisfaction with Indian made tooling from other UK suppliers however I understand that Zither lathe chucks (again from Arc) are of excellent quality.

I have bought one or two items directly from CTC Tools China and found them to be excellent.

Eric

Hi Les,

Can you explain more what you're after in the way of 'tooling and accessories' - that's a very broad question?

I'm not aware of anything made specifically for the ML4 in the way of spare parts or replacement Myford accessories. But it's a typical small lathe that will work with modern tooling provided it physically fits. (Small HSS or Indexed tools just have to be shimmed to centre height; bigger ones will be too high.) Fitting new chucks is more complicated.

I wouldn't worry about the quality of Far Eastern tools relative to the ML4 unless there's a specific reason.

What are you trying to do with the lathe?

Dave

I've bought a fair bit of stuff direct from China. Vast majority has been trouble free.

Stay below the limit for UK vat and customs charges.

Jim

I source all my lathe tooling, tool holders, inserts etc from CTC or Alidirect and have had no problems, I am thought reluctant to source milling cutters from China and use the UK supplier APT who are excellent.