What new lathe?

Nope, not a what shall I buy thread, i've already bought it

I have had my eye on a Colchester Student 2500 for a while as an upgrade, and one came along in the right condition at the right price last week - so I grabbed it.

Deal done last Monday, installed in my workshop on Saturday.

330mm swing x 1,000mm between centres.

40mm spindle bore.

The current Student 2500 and Harrison M300 are identical, just a matter of the different stickers.

The previous owner bought it direct from the factory in 2013, and didn't use it.

I spent a chunk of Saturday cleaning the remainder of the protective coating off that it came out of the factory with, but apart from a little bit of swarf from test cuts, I can't find evidence it has ever been used, which was what I was told by the dealer I bought it off.

I need to upgrade my rotary converter (the 2500 has a 3 hp motor), it will then be time to make swarf!

Lucky person, I used one of these ocasionaly at work very nice.

David

< drool >

MichaelG.

They are an excellent lathe. Congratulations!

Nice...!! ( no jealous smiley)

Nice looking shop too..

I hope you and your new machine have a lasting relationship....😂

Very nice!

Not sure if I would have it that close to the wall though. I've had to remove my tailstock a couple of times to face off extra long jobs that were sat in a steady. Looks like the wall will prevent you easily doing so? Completely unnecessary if you only machine short lengths of course or if the machine isn't sited yet.

Steve.

Steve

It's a matter of logistics.

Three lathes, three milling machines, two large benches, a Clarkson grinder, pedestal grinder, floor standing drill, floor standing polisher and various storage cabinets have to all share the same space!

The Student is that way round so I can get the change wheel door open, and pass material through the spindle.

It sits back to back with my Myford 254S as that is the most economical use of space.

Ideally I would have it flat to the wall, but there is already a tall tool cabinet, Myford 254S, and a Warco WM18 along the same wall!

Nice lathe,especially as it has the long bed,which does allow the tailstock to be pushed back out of the way,We all all have space problems,but rear access to the coolant tank and motor is adviseable,my Colchester master 2500 is back against the wall so the lathe has to be moved to get access to motor and tank.lack of regular cleaning of the tank led to corrosion and leaking of the tank,modern coolants go off quicker and bacteria form which turns the coolant into corrosive liquid.My Master has a 5 HP motor running off a converter and I certainly do not end up with 5 hp so get a good converter with more than adequate power,Though I have no personal experience perhaps some form of digital conversion to 3 phase may even be better,and worth investigating,no point in having a really good lathe which is underpowered.

David a beautiful purchase sir! Looks very capable.

We all try to save a bit of space here and there but I think you've hit the right balance.

Mick

The Colchester looks wonderful, David.

My initial thought was "he's got that nice Boxford and a Myford already. Why does he need the Colchester as well?"

And then I realised it was just my jealousy talking, and I might do exactly the same as you if I had the chance/space/funds.

Which is still jealousy talking, but amicable jealousy at least.

Very nice indeed. A lucky find in that good a condition. Enjoy!

Nigel

There is space to get between the 254S and the Student to get to the coolant tank - albeit on hands and knees!

Bill

If it helps, the Boxford has gone

Lathe wise I have the Colchester, Myford 254S and Myford Speed 10 now.