new boy

Hi guys, i'm steve, i'm looking for a small lathe, any help and recommendations greatfully received . I am thinking a chester 920 or similar size ?. having not used a lathe for over 30years i'm a bit out of touch with what's about, good and bad. many thanks in advance & thanks for letting me join the forum

Hello Steve and welcome. I'm sure there will be people along very shortly to advise. Have you considered a used lathe such as the Myford or Boxford?

What sort of thing are you likely to be making with it?

Brian

The Chester's capabilities look good value for money. Consider Warco as well - I'm very happy with mine and I'm a former Myford user. Boxford are also well-regarded machines - when I was working as a turner 40 years ago I thought better of them than Myfords.

I had a Chester 920 for a few years as a second lathe to my Atlas 10F. I found it to be quite a capable machine and it represents good value for money now although for a new lathe it is somewhat outdated. As a beginner you will probably find the 100 rpm lowest speed a bit scary for screwcutting.

When I needed the space for a CNC mill I had to sell one of them. I chose to sell the 920 and keep the much older Atlas as it had more flexibility of use and I had many more homemade accessories for it. I had also fitted a three phase motor and inverter drive.

If you can afford a bit more I would look at some of the similar size variable speed lathes now available.

Russell

Neil has created a new thread precisely for this question, have a look at...

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=137849&p=1

George.

Like Mick B1, in his third sentence. Fymords are over-rated, IMO. A good Raglan 5” are another which could knock spots of the them. Just need a little more space.

Welcome to the forum Steve. My post linked above is aimed at people considering a mini-lathe, but much of it applies to larger lathes.

Neil

Funny the mention of a Raglan. A friend of mine is moving house and has decided that the lathe, sadly has to go.

Any ideas on how much it would be worth please?

Howard

Need more info. Mkl or Mkll Little John? Raglan 5’? Loughborough? QCGB or change wheel? Single or 3 phase? 220 or 415V, if three phase?

What is there with it? Face plate, steady(s), chucks, tooling?

Remember, too, that there were cheaper versions of the 5’’, sold into educational establishments

All can/will make a difference, as does condition. Still likely a lot less than an equivalent fymord - if there was ever any comparison!

John Stevenson had a very high regard for Little John Lathes.

Some of his stories about the make can be found here

In the end they were bought out by Myford.

N.

Thought that i had posted a reply to N D I Y

Single Phase, 240 volt

As far as i know it is a Little John, painted green, (Although the Headstock end, with QCGB looks like the Five Inch) The Saddle from memory, also looks like the Five Inch, but the Cross Slide carried a Four Way Toolpost, while the Top Slide which could replace it carried a single tool holder. (I made up a Four Way Toolpost for him, to fit onto the Top Slide so that he could change tools more quickly, and turn short tapers if needed). Three and Four Jaw Chucks, Tailstock Drill Chuck, Centres (i think - haven't spent much time with it for a while). I made him a Handwheel for the Mandrel, to help when cutting threads upto a shoulder, and a Centre Height Gauge.

No details as yet of what Change Gears or tooling is in the cupboards of the stand.

Will update as info becomes available, (They are heavily into packing at the moment!)

Howard