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Chester DB8V lathe

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Geoff Manship06/10/2010 13:31:51
23 forum posts

 Has anyone had experience of Chester’s DB8V lathe? Many people have told me not to go for a far eastern machine, but to buy a second hand Myford. However, I am very restricted on the amount of space available and a Super 7 or ML7 would be just too long. The DB8V would fit in about right. I have just sold my Hobbymatt, as after years of trying, I could never get it to turn parallel and need to swing slightly larger work.

 

Any comments would be gratefully received.

 

Regards

Geoff

 

Gordon W06/10/2010 14:58:06
2011 forum posts
I bought a Chester DB8 belt drive about 2 yrs ago and am generally very happy with it. I cleaned thourally on delivery, and greased etc. then started cutting metal. After abut a year I stripped it right down, cleaned again, lapped the gib strips etc. . Also made some mods. in the light of experience, fitted a lead-screw handwheel, made a larger pulley to get lower speeds, all these sort of mods are well covered on lots of web sites and articles in MEW etc. Stripping and cleaning is no problem and you learn about your machine, bit messy tho'. Very good value for money, in my opinion.
Geoff Manship06/10/2010 19:56:45
23 forum posts
Thank you for your reply Gordon. I wasn't aware that the DB8V was available as a belt drive machine, the Chester website only lists the variable speed version. I would much prefer the torque of a belt drive if it's still available.
 
Regards
Geoff
Martin W07/10/2010 00:49:22
940 forum posts
30 photos
Geoff
 
I think that the drive is the same as the DB7V in that the belt is used to change between the low speed range, 0-1250rpm, and the high speed range, 0-2500 rpm.
 
I have had my DB7V for a couple years and been very impressed with its performance and accuracy. If I had had the room at the time I would have gone for a DB8V or higher. I, like others, have found that Chester UK support is second to none as they are always willing to help and go the extra distance.
 
Good luck.
 
 
Martin
 
 
Gordon W07/10/2010 09:57:07
2011 forum posts
Hi, my model, belt drive only, must be about the last made before the variable speed motor became common. No speed control electronics to worry about or slow running motor to get hot.
Martin W07/10/2010 11:45:42
940 forum posts
30 photos
Gordon
 
Just had a look at the 1988 Chester Catalogue, old pdf file, and of course it shows both DB8 and DB8VS machines available. I had forgotten, until I read your last post, that the DB8 series and above were offered in both configurations for a shortish period of time.
 
The latest Chester catalogue shows a picture of the DB8V and on it you can see a diagrammatic representation on the Low/High speed belt positions much as the DB7V. With regards to the the motor heating I have run my DB7V machine for fairly lengthy periods while turning at  fairly low speeds, in the low speed range, and while the motor does get quite warm it has never got hot enough to cause me any worries.
 
 
Cheers
 
 
Martin
Geoff Manship08/10/2010 10:11:26
23 forum posts
Thank you Martin and Gordon,
 
My main concerns about variable speed drives are: Low speed torque, reliability of the electronics, motor overheating and noise (how noisy it's it?).
 
Having said all that, I have found a lathe on the 'Excel Machine Tools' website that looks pretty much identical to the Chester DB8V. They appear to stock variable speed and belt drive versions. There is very little information on their site about this machine, not even the price and I'm not sure about the quality of this companies products and service. If anyone has time to look, I would appreciate your opinion.
 
 
Regards
Geoff.
JasonB08/10/2010 16:51:34
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
The Optimum machines are quite popular on the continent, its really just another paintjob and lable on the same basic machines with a few spec differences.
 
J&L do the D210x400 and list it at £920 plus VAT.
 
Its best to use their virtual catalogue, you want page 1574
 
 
I would really want a slower speed than 125rpm, My Warco variablewill go down to 48rpm and you only notice a slight drop in torque when turning large dia work such as 9" CI flywheels. Its also quite quiet
 
Jason

Edited By JasonB on 08/10/2010 16:52:18

Edited By JasonB on 08/10/2010 16:54:19

Geoff Manship09/10/2010 13:12:06
23 forum posts
Thank you Jason that's very helpful -  which Warco machine do you use?
 
Regards
Geoff.
JasonB09/10/2010 13:22:21
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
I've had the WM280V-F for about 2 years now
 
J
Geoff Manship09/10/2010 16:59:13
23 forum posts
Thank you all for your comments and information, you have been a great help. I think the Chester DB8V or the Excel D210x400 would be ideal me.

Thanks again.

Best regards
Geoff

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