Comparison of New Chinese and Old Russian Lathes

This video is interesting, produced by a Russian chap:

It's important to read the comments on screen, especially about the accuracy.

Final conclusion is ... at the end of the video!

Neil

Shows a skilled operator can get the best out of a machine. I have used a few Russian "Stanko" brand mills. A bit 1950s design but can really shift metal.

Nice one neil, interesting stuff. I have a mate just round the corner with a Stanko, unfortunalely it has had a bit of a hard life before he got it, but he is a millwright, and mainly uses it for repairs on shafting etc. It is built like a tank, and sounds about the same too!

Seen that one before. Still enjoyed it again though. Guy made a very good video. Looks coooold in his workshop...........

I was running an apprentice school in the mid-70s. My company had a contract to build machines for the Kamaz lorry factory. The Russians could not pay entirely in Western currencies, so the company also took machines and wheat (!).

A Russian vertical mill arrived in my workshop, and used conventionally. However, there was power feed available by push button, which the British machines lacked. One 'enterprising' apprentice discovered he could rough cast iron blocks using the rapid traverse - this with reasonable depth of cut and a 2-ich end mill. The mill seemed quite happy with this. As Phil says, the Russian machines were very robust.

Bill