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Warco WM-180 or MIni Lathe

New Lathe

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Mike Wainwright30/12/2011 18:02:00
149 forum posts
8 photos
Does anyone own either of these 2 lathes. I am looking to purchase a lathe and these 2 fit into my budget. I have approx £600 to spend and these seem to be about the best for value I can find.
 
I would love to here from somebody that own's and uses either of the lathes to see what they think in terms of quality, value for money and accuracy.
 
If anyone has a suggestion on a different lathe I should look at then please let me know.
 
Thanks
 
Mike

Edited By Mike Wainwright on 30/12/2011 18:07:32

Clive Farrar30/12/2011 18:39:00
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125 forum posts
41 photos
there is no difference size / capacity wise between the two.
but from my recollection of looking at these previously I think the 180 has a slightly more powerful motor and is a little more robust.
 
I have a mini and I get quite good results with it but it did benefit from most of the improvements that are in the MEW series and now the workshop book series.
 
I am pleased with it overall but do wish it had a bit more torque at low RPM.
 
Regards Clive
Mike Wainwright30/12/2011 18:53:06
149 forum posts
8 photos
Clive
 
Could I turn the wheels of a 5" Simplex on the lathe. It is approx 4 3/8" Dia
Stub Mandrel30/12/2011 20:45:46
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4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
Hi Mike,
 
Look at the new version on the Arc Euro website which has a brushless motor and apparently much more torque. The old style ones can blow motors if run slow at heavy load (I've blon a motor too many times and have now adapted my mini lathe to run off an old Hoover 0.4HP motor- virtually the same power on paper, loads more in practice.
 
But an ordinary mini-lathe will turn 4 3/8" diameter with ease. I managed to suface this and turn it into a new cross slide using the lathe alone... yes I had to grind off the corners so it would swing inside the 7 1/8" limit.
 
Neil:
 

blowlamp30/12/2011 20:56:42
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1885 forum posts
111 photos
Now I know this is more than your stated budget, but if you can afford it, the Chester Comet VS lathe could well be worth considering because of its extra capacity and features. It's on offer at the moment too.
 
 
 
Martin.
Ady130/12/2011 23:50:32
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6137 forum posts
893 photos
If anyone has a suggestion on a different lathe I should look at then please let me know
 
Some good drummonds with a bunch of gear come up from time to time, with a bunch of bits, costing a few hundred quid.
Accuracy can be improved with DRO bits on all the older lathes
 
 

Have you given up on your Grayson unit?

Edited By Ady1 on 30/12/2011 23:50:55

Mike Wainwright31/12/2011 07:34:12
149 forum posts
8 photos
I still have the Grayson lathe. Its in pieces in my dad's shed waiting for me to decide what to do with it.
 
I am comparing what it is going to cost to get the Grayson working against what the cost of a new lathe would be. I need to buy a new motor, 4 Jaw chuck and switchgear. I would need to build a new countershaft assembly
 
After doing all that I still not know how accurate the lathe would be.
 
That's why I am looking at the possibility of getting a new lathe.

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