clarke cl500m

hi

has anyone managed to fix a set of power feeds to a clarke mill/lathe or convert it to CNC?

Hi John

Sorry you have had no replies. I'm not aware of anyone here who has a CL500 although many of us have the CL300 or similar.

In principle it should be feasible to do it, although it has somewhat unusual proportions.

Neil

I owned a CL500 once ( back when I hadn't got a clue ) and it is possibly the worst lathe that Communist China has inflicted on us round eyed Capitalist Running Dogs ( which is saying something )

Combined with Machine Marts amazing customer service ( we've had your money, now f--- off, delivered by some fat lazy spotty moron who looks like a failed nightclub bouncer ) it's a total loss.

I'd be tempted to sell it to someone who is equally clueless and start over again with a machine that isn't a pile of junk.

I own a CL500M and often wondered about power cross feed, would obviously have to be electric. I must admit it when I first bought the machine, not from machine mart, it needed fettling but as a machine tool fitter by trade I enjoyed the little jobs that needed doing and over time have got a machine that is quite accurate. A simple thing like fitting lock nuts on the gib strip adjusters made a difference as does keeping it oiled, I'm about to finally fit an inverter and three phase motor to give me a greater range of speeds. I have all of the tools which go with it and have even gone to the expense of ER32 collets and chuck.

When I have contacted Machine Mart for help and info they have always been very helpful and no I dont work for them.

Martin P

Hi John, I have a CL500m, sorry have had no experience of your conversion you are looking at but have fitted a 3 phase motor & inverter which has been really useful.

Must defend the CL500m, it is obviously not top of the range equipment but then you are not paying many thousands for it. Despite its limitations I been more than pleased with its performance in the couple of years I have had it. The mill has been useful, albeit not as good as a separate milling machine, next on my shopping list when I can get the ok from the 'chancellor'

Bought it from Machine Mart who I have used for various other items and always been happy with their service.

Good idea Martin about the lock nuts for gib strip adjusters.

Bill D.

I bought a CL300 in 1999 (I think). It was a return and a few bits were missing - some change wheels etc. I just rang up MM who got the stuff to me by post within a few days.

Neil

I have to admit I used the CL500 for a job, not a hobby - but then again I was doing prototyping work so it didn't get a lot of hammer. I soon found out that the motor lasted about a month after the warranty expired ( I got through two of them ) it was badly made and the ergonomics were awful.

I wouldn't buy anything more from Machine Mart if I had a gun put to my head.

I honestly think that converting a CL500 to CNC would be like hitching your wagon to a falling star.

what would you guys recommend then, a separate lathe and mill what make are you lot using?

Hi John,

I have a Clarke CL300M and an ld-style X2 from Arc Euro Trade, both non-cnc, just DROs on the mill.

What sort of work do you want to do? There are lots of pay-offs so you can get a cost effective solution if your needs are straightforward, but if you want new, big, accurate, powerful and everything perfect out of the box - start saving!

Neil

Hi John,

You have opened a real can of worms here. Ask ten model engineers that question and you get twenty answers.

Just for the record I have a Weiss milling machine (same model as the Warco WM18), a Warco WM280 VF lathe and a Boxford BUD from the 1970s (was a CUD but I added a cross feed apron that I had). If I had to choose it would be the Boxford - no competition in my opinion. You can pick them up for a good price with lots of tooling (which can double the price of a lathe). You can afford to make the normal mistakes a beginner - and experienced - turner is bound to make as they are pretty bomb proof. I would even cope initially with a vertical slide for milling on the lathe if I were making smallish model steam engines.

If you decided to carry on you could sell the Boxford, probably for what you paid and invest in all singing and dancing, whistles and bells machinery (sorry about mixing the metaphors). An AUD with slotted cross slide is the one to look out for.

Best regards

Terry

Edited By Terryd on 02/12/2012 12:19:45

I have a CL500m Lathe, a round column Mill drill and a Centec 2A Horizontal mill with a grinding attachement. I also have a 10" Bandsaw which a mate gave me as a thank you for moving his workshop to its new home. I restore stationary engines and am able to make and repair everything so far.

Martin P

the main problem that i've got with the cl500m is that i can't seem to get the mill head to stay put.

slotting out a hole, the damm thing either jumps to the side or wanders off line.

its not the job thats moving, its the mill head! any advice would be welcome

Combination machines are a compromise at the best of times John. I feel that even if the CL500 had been made properly the design would still let it down.

I can't remember how to lock the mill head, sorry - was a long time ago...

John,

I'm all locked away now but will check my properly made CL500M tomorrow to see how mine stays put .

Martin P

> A locking lever (‘E’ Fig.10) secures the Mill Head.

Looks pretty puny! is tehre a way you could beef up the locking arrangement?

This review (more of a story of how someone worked out how to use it) may be useful to you:

http://www.steamshed.com/clarke%20cl500m%20lathe%20review.html

Neil

Edited By Stub Mandrel on 02/12/2012 18:32:01