New member in Ireland

Hi All,

I've been lurking for a while but felt it was about time I contributed something!

I'm based in Dublin, Ireland and have been following the magazine for a year or so. With the advent of Covid, I've been directed to this website which I'm finding very useful and entertaining!

I have a very limited workshop (it's a tin shed with the usual household tools). I have an old Wade model lathe which I bought second hand about 10 years ago. I'm lucky enough to have dry, secure space in work for that but that obviously limits my access to it. My long term plan is a block built shed at home which will then allow me to build a workshop.

I'm torn between new Far East kit (which looks like exceptional value, but I'm not convinced), v's older but better quality European gear.

Anyway, I'm in no rush so I'll sit back and glean what I can from you lot

Welcome, David, you will get plenty of advice on how to spend your money on equipment. The forum is a very active one with new members joining every day.

Hello David and welcome to this excellent forum. If you've not found it already then you may be interested in this site.

**LINK**

Brian

Welcome along David, you are right about the eastern machinery being good value. I have a Taiwanese lathe now 20 years old and still good. Without the imported machines the hobby would not be to popular. Before this lathe I did have a South Bend machine of 1942 war finish supply that still worked OK.

There are people who slag off far eastern imports, but I personally, would not have been able to get into this hobby, if it was not for them.

Thanks for that guys. Food for thought. I suppose all brands have a "Friday Afternoon" effect when workers have their eyes on the clock rather than the work I saw Warco getting talked down yesterday but who knows how many are owned by happy customers?!

As you say, all makers have their Monday morning/Friday evening offerings. I have had some of them, and not just cheap ones either.

Most of the Chinese stuff is OK, not toolroom but not priced at that level either. Good enough for everyday metalbashing.

Welcome to the forum David,

Neil