I have just ordered a new workshop as mine is just too small for what I plan this one is going to be 20' X 10'. Anyway I am also going to buy my lathe and milling machine, so be prepared for a few questions and I didn't mean what lathe or mill should I buy. Hoping to order these once my workshop is up and wired in

The first is reference the lathe I have seen the Warco WM250v variable speed and the wm250 lathe with inverter drive variable speed, would I be correct in saying the second model is better as regards the drive system.

Also what would the advantage of the WM280 with the separate shaft for cross feed

I have picked these sizes as I wish to start making beam style engines and then later as I learn a little a loco of some sort.

Also with milling tables which drive system is better the belt drive or gear drive. And also would there really be any advantage of a longer table other than the odd job which would require it. I am looking at one of the WM18 range of mills.

Expect more questions as they come to mind

The WM 250V Lathe Inverter Drive is probably the best choice particularly as it has power cross-feed which the older model does not. This sort of crosses over WM 280 question as apart from size the two lathes are very similar.

With regard to the WM18 mill I assume you are talking belt drive to the spindle rather than automatic table feed. Gears are quicker to change speeds but some think that belt drive is smoother. Perhaps more important is choice of spindle nose. At WM18 size definitely opt for R8 tooling and collets will be much easier in the future.

Have a look at my website Journeyman's Workshop. ** Lathes ** and ** Milling **

John

With the WM280 it has the " Dedicated feed shaft for longitudinal and cross feed" that is what I was referring to. I will pop over and have a look at your links thamk you

The feed shaft really only reduces wear on the lead screw as then that is kept just for screwcutting.

Regarding speed changing on the mills then variable speed is faster than belt/pulley or gears and usually quieter too. Slight downside can be a loss of torque at low speeds but cuts can be kept shallow and feed rates upped if spindle speed is kept in the motors comfort zone so not much difference in overall machining time.

Ah, sorry, misread that! The separate feed shaft will drive cross-feed and length feed. The idea is to reduce wear on the lead-screw so that it remains pristine for screw-cutting. It may offer a slightly different range of feeds but I am not sure on this. Unless you anticipate really hammering the lathe all day, every day I doubt in a hobby context that it will make much difference to the wear factor.

John

It might be worth finding out if the feed shaft has a plain coupling to the gearbox or if it is a ball clutch. If there is a ball clutch it will slip when overloaded, allowing you to set a stop when using power feed. (The clutch on our similar Chester DB10 Super's feed shaft has also clicked when parting has gone wrong, potentially saving the apron gears).

Brian G

Thank you all

Derek

One thing to bear in mind whichever models you decide on is that they are all out of stock.

There is a note about this on the Warco website : **LINK**

If you want a lathe or mill from Warco you can ‘back order’ and they will reserve one for you. I bought a WM290 lathe earlier this year but initially started trying to buy last August. I then realised that they were all sold before they arrived in the U.K.

Stuart

The WM280 has a ball clutch on the feed shaft, will save the headstock gearbox in a crash (when properly adjusted!)

Thank you Stuart worth noting a little like my workshop long delivery time. At this rate I may be set up by Christmas but I am not saying what year

Having switched my Centec from belt to the proper 3 shaft, 6 speed gearbox the power drop at the cutter has been noticeable. That said I now actually change the gears when I should, being 10 times easier to do might have something to do with it.

Warco are great. I had the same or even longer delay getting my WM18B and actually paid for it getting on for a year ago. However Warco range me up to cancel that initial payment then a few weeks later were back on the 'phone to take payment again - Suez Canal unblocked maybe, and now I actually have the beast! Besides that, however, I must have got a Friday afternoon chuck as it was useless, badly off-centre. I sent them a message via their web site and a few days later received a replacement, no problem at all, with instructions to dump the first one. Great service, as I've had from the other major suppliers mentioned on these hallowed pages. Nice machine for me, a simple soul.

Edited By Terry Kirkup on 21/06/2021 16:03:05