Time for a new lathe

I currently have a Myford ML7 but I am not a model maker.

I mainly use this to automotive work

I am finding it is a bit too small for what I need so concidering selling it and getting somthing bigger

I can probably accomodate a lathe thats longer so looking at a swing of 5" and distange between ctrs no more than 25"

Looking for suggestions as to what to buy howver weight is also a concideration as its going onto a wood floor

I found a 3.5inch lathe without its legs and tray was about as much as I would be happy with on a wooden floor

Maybe someone who's got a 5 or 6 inch into a wooden shed would be able to help

They tend to be pretty massive

My workshop is probably a bit sturdier than your average hut howver I thing a Colchester Student would be too heavy and would end up falling through the floor

I did see this for sale http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/DSCN6302.jpg.  Its an Axminster APTC9180M howver I can seem to find any info on it

Edited By petro1head on 28/08/2013 12:31:53

Do you mean 10" swing / 5" centre height as you say the myford is too small

The Axi one is the basic 9x18 that is sold with lots of different badges, should be details on Warco's site. I have a Warco 280 on a wooden floored shed

Edited By JasonB on 28/08/2013 12:45:53

If you think that a Colchester student will fall through the floor then, irrespective of the machine you buy, IMHO you should be looking to put some sheets of metal under the feet to spread the load.

Jo

I have a Warco 280 on a wooden floored shed

Are the shed support beams sitting directly on concrete slabs on the ground?

Or is it hanging in mid air, solely supported by the wooden floor

If the wooden floor is not a bedroom just cut a hole under each end of lathe, build concrete pad, damp-proof course, solid bit of wood for 'insulation' and off you go.

My worksop is sitting on a concrete slab, so thats wood beams on the concrede followed by 20mm wood on the beams

Yes mine is a concrete slab, 50x50 batten, double layer of ply.

I have a trusty 5" model A Boxford. Its a step up in my opinion from a 'bushed' myford.

I also have a Colchester bantam, which is a nice size - SWIMBO does not agree!!

This is a nice machine on fleabay 130971591619

I hope you find one that suits.

Bri

Petrohead,

if you already have a Myford ML7 lathe it is almost a 100kg, so your floor should be able to carry a lathe of around 100kg. Especially if you distribute the weight or can place it close to a wall. I wouldn't go for a 918 lathe, have a look at Warco's WM 240 or 250 lathes.

Thor

if you do the heavy stuff like brake drums / discs etc, you would need something with at least a gap in the bed or larger swing over the bed. Trouble is, you would probably be in the 3 phase area for the motor (or converter etc)

I have done quite a bit of lathe work for the Citroen 2Cvs, Austin 7 and lately Bugatti and Amilcar and have to say no when the bits that need facing/trueing are too large fo my Boxford.

Never mind the weight - get a better floor and don't stint on the size.

Bob

I quite fancy the WM290. What appeals id the spindle bore is much bigger 38mm vs 26 for the WM250, one of my bugbares with the Myford. When I look at the cost I then ask myself for another £200 I could go for the GH1232 however this is tice as heavy as the WM290

I have a 290F lathe with the 38mm spindle bore, the GH1232 is bigger and it would have been very difficult for me to get it into my basement workshop. The 200kg 290 was moved into my workshop by a couple of friends that spend much time lifting heavy weights. I also found the 560kg GH1232 (or similar) to big for my small workshop. If you can afford a GH1232 and get it into your workshop, you get a lot more for a few extra pounds.

Thor

Yeh, I also think the GH1232 will be just too big/heavy

Do you think the 290 is worth the £800-£100- extra over the 250/280, I know I would have to add about £160 for the stand

I Have a Colchester Bantam in my shed, on a wooden floor. I cut a peice of thick worktop just a couple of inches bigger that the lathe and put that under it. Been thre for 10 years with no problems and I feel no movement of the floor when I am using the lathe. I dont think you will have a problem if you get something of a similar size and put a piece of worktop under it to spread the load.

Mike

True however the other problem I will have is the workshop is in the garden so the lathe will have to go through two doors

Wow! Are those yours?

Russell.

Phoned Warco, they no longer do the GH1232