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What Lathe and Mill?

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STK200813/06/2010 21:05:56
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi all im new here so go easy on me please.
 
I have just purchased my first issue of Model Engineers Workshop and love it.
I have all ways been a hands on person as you will all find out soon im sure.
I have made many things and worked on all types of stuff and worked for a large engineering company (well large in Oxford any ways hehe).
 
My spelling and grammar is bad so please be patient .
 
Ok to me Q
 
I have just purchased a Hobbymat MD65 its in a good condition not perfect but ok and I am after selling it so I can purchase a new lathe maybe from Chester tools.
 
I would all so like to purchase a Milling machine to may be all so from Chester tools.
 
I have no idea what ones to go for my needs are for te lathe and mill
 
machining metal mainly aluminum and some other soft materials say plastic etc.
 
The lathe and mill will need to be reliable from a good company that put the customer first so any suggestions? all so reasonable prices im looking to spend in the future when funds permit
 
Lathe £500
Mill £500
 
I may even convert both to cnc one day.
 
Ok a little of what I have done so far I have all ready designed and built my very own CNC Milling machine mainly for wood work and pc case panels (can I link to other forums?) if so will link and save me uploading pics etc.
 

I like to make all sorts of things and may even make a little petrol engine when I get the lathe and mill in the future.
 
Cheers all
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Edited By STK2008 on 13/06/2010 21:07:36

Terryd14/06/2010 07:34:45
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1946 forum posts
179 photos
As far a companies are concerned you could also look at Arc Eurotrade,  They have a similar range of the smaller machines to other companies as I think that they are Sieg machines which have been renamed for the company.
 
Most of the small milling machines and lathes from all of these companies are either Sieg or Weiss with slight variations as specified by the sellers.  Arc are based in Leicester.  Most of these companies have very good customer relations and are reliable.
 
Warco and Axminster are also good I believe but I have never dealt with them.
 
Terry
STK200814/06/2010 14:17:35
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi Terryd thanks for the advice
 
What would you say about these two options?
 
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_lathe_super.htm
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_mill.htm

Good choice?.

All so can I link to other forums?.
Stub Mandrel16/06/2010 21:20:10
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4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
Hi STicK
 
I have a Clarke CL300M and an Arc X2 mill. They are essentially the same machines, though I think a few glitches have been ironed out since my lathe was built.
 
Spend some enjoyable hours setting up and they will do more than you might expect, but be prepared to get drawn into adding little tweaks to suit your own ideas.
 
Neil
 
PS: don't be surprised if the mill sounds terrible when first started up - I had to wear earplugs. After an hour of running it quietened down (or I went deaf).
Terryd16/06/2010 22:12:14
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1946 forum posts
179 photos
Hi STK2008.
 
How about a real name so we can be a bit less formal - Notice that most of us sign off our postings with our first name, it breaks the ice so to speak.

Those machines you've chosen are a good buy and will become a first good investment.  As the others say a bit of adjustment and cleaning/lubrication etc. will pay dividends.  iIn future you may want to go for a more capable set up. Then you will do well to remember that the lathe is the king of machines.  It is the one most important item of equipment you can own. 
 
I have an ex school Boxford lathe at the moment, it is an excellent machine and being used in education it has not had a hard life.  It may have had a few knocks but the essentials are almost as new and it is precise and accurate.  Accessories and spares are freely available and not too expensive.  It is equipped as standard with adjustable taper roller bearings unlike some other popular modellers lathes.  I also have a small Chinese lathe which is also excellent and much of my work is done on that and I have no complaints about it.

My milling machine (I don't like the term 'mill' or 'miller' - those terms are more akin to flour production), is a larger Chinese Weiss machine which is more massively built as it needs to withstand lots of vibration, but the machine you have chosen is capable of lots of good work.

You have made a good basic choice, but expect to spend more as you improve your skills and knowledge.  Also remember that you will need basic tooling with your machines, I note that the milling machine only includes a drill chuck. That is of no use for milling cutters, you will need some kind of Holder for your milling cutters such as the Pozi-Lock Collet Chuck Sets from Chester as well as a set of cutters.  You must budget for these as a minimum.

As far as Metric/imperial, if you are starting out I suggest you go for Metric.  There is much debate around this issue but the future is metric, Imperial tooling is becoming more difficult to obtain and can be expensive.  (By the way , Britain first decided to metricate in the early 1870's - yes eighteen seventies - that's not a typo).

Anyway that's enough pontificating, welcome to the club, be prepared for some failure, but also much success and enjoy the ride.  There are lots of informed and skilled people on these forums and we were all beginners once so don't be afraid to ask advice.  My one best piece of advice would be to get some training, such as a night school course or join a club where the experienced members can demonstrate techniques.  At least look for 'how to' videos on the internet and read some books. Using these machines is not as simple as it seems.  Above all work safely.

Regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 16/06/2010 22:14:07

Edited By Terryd on 16/06/2010 22:16:47

STK200816/06/2010 23:07:09
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi and thank you very much for your help Stub and Terry.
 
I will look into tooling I have a little but the thing is I don't get to do much at the moment any ways due to two slipped disks and tears in others so night school is out of the question for now.
 
I can only spend short amounts of time in the garage any ways but I love making things.
 
For example I have already made a 3 axis CNC mill a few pics etc
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GmwjKGee64
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVTM5GVCl9U
http://i43.tinypic.com/jhx4br.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/5cn4v9.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/2h4aiit.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2gy9ke1.jpg
 
 I have actualy been looking at this milling machine
 
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/champion16_variable_speed_mill.htm
looks a little better and I will convert it to cnc and the lathe in the future all so.
 
The idea is I want to actually make more cnc machines so the lathe and the milling machine I want to get from chester tools should help
 
Cheers all

 
 
 
 
Terryd16/06/2010 23:30:13
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1946 forum posts
179 photos
Hi STK2008,
 
Still no name?
 
I do sympathise with your back problem, I had to have a double laminectomy in my mid 30's to remove two vertebral discs that had prolapsed.  Very painful, but the good news is that the problem can be overcome and I have no problems at all now with my back pain.
 
I wish you all the best for your recovery.
 
Love your cnc woodwork by the way.  But with model engineering I prefer manual control.  Personally, I prefer to have more physical control over the material when cutting rather than when just writing programs.  I have done quite a bit of cnc work in a professional capacity but think it is for repetitive production work. Just my preference.
 
Out of interest, how did you make the components for your cnc router and did you use published plans? What software do you use?  The sort of work you do does lend itself to cnc I must admit.
 
Terry
 
Terry

Edited By Terryd on 16/06/2010 23:36:01

STK200817/06/2010 00:04:47
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi again I did it at work I use to work for a large engineering company in Oxford a bloke by the name of Terry use to work there to before me.
 
My job was many tbh I use to do a bit of
 
Line boreing
White mateling
Crank grinding
Reboring
Head work
etc etc I loved it but it was to much on my back its a back demanding job hehehehe.
 

Terryd17/06/2010 15:18:26
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1946 forum posts
179 photos
Sounds like interesting work but, as you say with such a back problem it can be tough.  I had a lot of time off before I finally gave up until I had my operation.
 
Let us know how you get on with your new purchases,
 
Terry
STK200817/06/2010 17:18:16
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi there again .
 
Its a mine field tbh I have just got another copy of the mag and spotted an ad for
Amadeal ltd they do or soon to do this
 
http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AMA16V.html
 
It looks very much like this one from chester tools and its cheaper to
 
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/champion16_variable_speed_mill.htm
STK200817/06/2010 18:52:04
116 forum posts
16 photos
Ummm cant see an option to edit me last post.
 
So is Amadeal ltd a good company? any one got any of there machines?.
 thing is these look to good to be true
 

AMA210VG Lathe 8x16

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/Bench_Lathe.html
 

AMA16V - Variable Speed


http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AMA16V.html
 
cheers
John Hinkley17/06/2010 20:20:29
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1545 forum posts
484 photos
Just thought I'd chip in my two-pennyworth.  I've just got back here in France from a short holiday in the UK.  By dint of a nifty bit of footwork, I managed to sneak a mill in the boot of the car, almost without my wife noticing!
I bought it from Amadeal in Leytonstone and went to pick it up in person.  It's an XJ12-300.  Not the one I had originally intended to buy, but just as good, I reckon, and a bit cheaper, too at £412.  Hugh, the guy that runs the place is a charming man, couldn't have been more helpful.  The warehouse is not the most tidy of places to visit, but I didn't go there to enjoy the view, just to get a good deal.  He also carries extensive spares for all the machines he sells as well as a very tempting assortment of accessories - so, of course I came away with all sorts of extra goodies as well.  The mill is now bolted to the workbench, waiting to cut its first bit of metal.  I'll post a photo, if I can remember where we put the camera.
Best of luck with your purchase.
 
John

Edited By John Hinkley on 17/06/2010 20:22:39

STK200817/06/2010 20:53:35
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi John thanks for the reply.
 
That would be great if you wouldn't mind I would love to see some photos.
 
Cheers
John Hinkley18/06/2010 14:59:57
avatar
1545 forum posts
484 photos
Hi, cheers
(strange name!)
Managed to find the camera and some batteries.  You'll find the pictures in my album.  The 'boys toys' only added about a hundred and ten pounds to the bill and I consider that very good value for money.  My first project I think, will be a rotary table, but due to the difficulty of obtaining raw materials out here, without massive postal bills, I'm going to have to be pretty devious with the design.
 
Regards,
John
 
STK200818/06/2010 17:02:20
116 forum posts
16 photos
Hi John thats a nice workshop you have and a good deal for all that tooling .
 
Im still saving me penny's hehehehe but soon I hope then the fun will begin I am going to convert the lath and milling machine I get to CNC to go with me larger CNC wood working milling machine I built.
 
Keep us up to date with more pics please
 
Thanks
 
 

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