Lathe and Milling Machine Equivalents

I'm having a minor problem with keeping track of different machines, especially the Asian machines where there are various near equivalents. The issue is where I get offered articles that appear to be machine-specific, but may have been covered already for another very similar machine to the same basic design.

The 7x12 mini-lathes are, of course, the classic example, but it's equally true of benchtop mills.

Differences such as hardened bedways, beariong specs, tachometers, paint colour or motor type are largely irrelevant when looking at fitting a digital readout, for example.

It would be helpful if those with experience of different machines could offer their thoughts on this. I'd liek to get a list of near-equivalents.

I'd like to avoid this becoming a discussion of the pro and cons of different machines, that can be discussed (again) elsewhere if folks want to!

Regards

Neil

Hello Neil,

The mini-lathe appears to have a lot of different set ups regarding the apron gearing. I'm trying to sort out a list myself to help me with the manufacture of the Handwheel dials. People's input on this thread would be a great help in that respect. In my particular case, I would like to know the exact carriage travel for one turn of the apron handwheel and the diameter of the handwheel shaft (8 or 9mm).

Best regards,

Steve.

It becomes even more of a mine field when you delve into the U.S market.

Steve I sent you a PM.

Ian

The electrics as well. The machines look the same but have boards made in the US or Asia

Presumably an importer has a list of specs they can choose from and they brand it as their own unit

HI Steve,

The thread HERE gives the information for my Clarke CL300M, including the measurement and the gear ratio I worked out which gave 1.002" movement per turn in practice.

Neil

Hi Neil,

The 7 x mini-lathes are made by either Seig or Real Bull. Mechanically these lathes are very similar but they differ in detail such as carriage shape, motor sizes, controller boards, key and keyway sizes.. However, the basic dimensions of the headstock, bed, bed prisms, spindles etc are all basically the same so most mods to one can be easily translated to the other.

In the same class of lathes you have those made by Weis. These have a great many differences from the Seig/Real Bull products. The drive train, the double prism lathe bed, the carriage and the tailstock are all very different. This does not mean that mods to the Seig/Real Bull lathes are irrelevent to Weis lathes but they may need to be redesigned to fit.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I've heard that the Warco machines come out of a third factory as well.

It's not too hard to untangle the common lathes, it's the zillions of milling machines I can't follow!

Neil

I think the common bottom end milling machines are from the same three sources as the lathes.

The X1 , X2 and SX2 all come from Seig

The XJ12-300 comes from Real Bull

and the AMA 16VF comes from Weis.

These basis machines can be found in many suppliers catalogues under different names.

Mike