Warco 1322 / 1330 Lathes

Having recently had a house rebuilt and a ‘Bricks and Mortar’ garage / workshop built I am about to start to purchase equipment for it. Having been apprentice trained on Colchester Student lathes (many years ago) and having an interest in old motorcycles and cars I am looking for a similar sized lathe.

Having previous experiences with ‘Chester’ in the past and having looked at the second hand offerings, very variable and unable to visit to inspect currently, I have started to look seriously at the Warco GH1330. I have read the comments from some time ago on the forum and was interested in comments from current owners / users. Would you buy again?

I have had the GH 1332 since this time last year, bought new.

I can't fault Peter in the spares department, I have had a few teething problems with the machine but parts have been available and sent quickly. I had two microswitches fail that sets the spindle direction in the little box at the end of the shaft, one of the oilers had its ball bearing disappear and I also needed a key for the leadscrew. The biggest issue was the top slide leadscrew that had very badly machined thread flanks, this wore the nut, I spoke to Peter and he sent me a replacement immediately, the replacement is to a much better standard. Everything else has been fine, I did plan to put a DRO on the top and cross slide but the dials are accurate enough to not nned on in my view and I do like to work to the best tolerances I can with my equipment.

The lathe itself was a bit rough around the edges so after unpacking it I went over it with a stone and some fine files, I also changed the awful metal handles for cheap Chinese plastic ones. One thing I would recommend is to make a slipper for the tailstock adjusting screws, a piece of steel machined to suit the angle inside, hard to explain but if you get a similar machine you will see what I mean.

I have also acquired a 10" 4 jaw chuck and a PeWeTools (Germany) size A quick change tool post and holders.

If I can help further please shout...

Well that's odd, I've just typed a reply which has vanished.
Take 2

I picked up a very good second hand GH1330 a couple of years ago, which has done all I've asked of it.

I can't speak for the build quality of the new ones, as mine is an older imperial model, though with dual dials fitted as standard.

When we're allowed visitors again, if you're in shouting distance of Buxton, Derbyshire, you're most welcome to come and have a play.

Bill

As Peak4, I have an older (2004 vintage) imperial GH1330. Excellent machine that has done everything asked of it over the 14 years I've owned it

I live quite close to Warco and have visited them regularly over the years, I've seen numerous examples of the later machines and cannot see any difference in overall build quality in newer machines. If mine needed replacement (which I think highly unlikely) I would replace with the same again.

The only changes I have made to mine is to fit a 3 phase motor and inverter, 3 axis DRO and a lever feed tailstock to the design from the late John Stevenson.

Gray

Thanks for your comments gents.

Its good to get some direct experience of living with a machine.

Thanks Again.

Michael

I have had a Warco lathe in the past and it was fine. They always seem to come with one or two niggles but nothing too bad.

On the strength of this and the generally positive experiences of people on this forum, I recommended that a friend buy one of the smaller gear head machines (gh600).

It was dreadful! It had clearly been put together by someone who had no idea what a lathe was. The spindle was running out by a mile and everything about it felt wrong.

In fairness to Warco, they offered to take it back or send whatever it needed to get it going,

I am not trying to knock Warco or other imported machines but would say that before you buy, make sure that you have the time (three days to a week) to go through it and any test gear that you would need. Also try to think what is and isn't acceptable as it can be easy to get sucked into a more complicated fix than you would otherwise be comfortable with.

David.

Mine is the Chester equivalent, badged as a Coventry lathe but basically just the same as a Warco 1330. Bought new in 1997, so now reaching 24 years. It is even painted green from when Chester and Warco had the same colour scheme!

The lathe has been a very good machine all told, accurate and reliable, although some of the headstock gears were rusty even when new. I suspect it sat on a container ship for while before I got it. Chester never responded to my request for a replacement at the time, but apart from being a bit noisy in one particular speed (300rpm) it hasn't affected the performance.

I added a further reduction gear at the feed screw banjo bracket to enable much finer feeds, also fitted DRO to X and Y, and have built up a good stock of QC tool holders. On the wish list is 3 phase motor + VFD.

If you venture to remove the gap bed piece be careful to replace with care. I did this for some traction engine rear wheels (that is why I bought it in the first place) but it went back ok after judicious use of the soft mallet.

Regards, Mick