Page 1 of 7 123456 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 92
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    245

    Default New lathe questions (yep)

    I am just getting into metalworking as a hobby and I'd like a lathe to make:
    *Parts for small robots, including small gears
    *Threaded rods for 3D printers, perhaps with ACME thread
    *Go kart parts at a later stage (this year, some of next), a hobby I'd like to get into
    *ACME threads and parts for a router I intend to build
    I'm a teacher / curious ex-engineer looking to get into some more hands on stuff, I have a mill, bandsaw, and just need a lathe to make a few more things / open up my options.

    I thought I'd get a cheap Sieg for $800 then use the school lathes for larger things. This is still an appealing option for me.

    Then I spotted the $1750 550x250 Optimum on sale currently which looks like a good deal for hobby work. It's half the starting point of 'serious' lathes like the $3500 Hafcos. I really like the size and what I've read about the AL-51G but it has a 21mm bore while the Optimum is 26mm. The $2300 AL-320g I was warned off against as if you want to replace the chuck you have to machine the backplate.

    I've read a lot of threads now and the consensus seems to be:
    * Get an old Herless lathe or second hand piece of gear, if you know how to spot a dud (I don't). It also seems to help if you're in Melb/Syd (I'm in Bris)
    * Failing that spend 3.5- 4k on one of the Hare and Forbes models, NOT the AL-250G

    On gumtree at the moment is a lathe that looks ok value to me:
    - https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/uppe...the/1150686017
    But I don't know much about inspecting such a lathe
    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brig...the/1149651003
    - This one looks ok but a bit exxy.

    These ones both stretch the budget.

    Any recommendations? Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
    1,894

    Default

    You mean Hercus (not Herless)?
    For:
    Not expensive as modern used Asian lathes. (Actually a bargain IMHO.)
    Heaps of parts and accessories available, most second-hand some new.
    Well thought out design, no silly design mistakes (unlike on some small Asian lathes).
    Support from keen enthusiasts.
    Against:
    Not new, might be hard to find a pristine one now.
    Spindle bore size not too big.

    If there is no obvious wear or damage to the bedways or elsewhere, I think a Hercus worth considering.

    Jordan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    G'day m8, i had an al336, bought it new and had to do a few things to it to bring it up to scratch, mostly small annoying things that you should not have to deal with on a new machine. There was talk in here about casting sand in the headstocks of some these chinese lathes, checked mine and it was ok. One thing I did findbwas the saddle/appron gearbox started to fill with coolant, I found that there is a tin plate on the cross slide that is only secures by a self tapper at one end and has no sealant, i cleaned out the g/box and sealed to plate with silicone.
    While i was at hare and forbes i noticed that a few of their models had this tin plate, i feel that it is such a shoddy design that even if coolant was not used small metal cuttings would likely dissappear under the plate.
    The al336 l had did quite a bit of work for me, i used coolant all the time but kept the oil can busy and the lathe really showed no sign of wear, i sold it to my BIL for $2000 and he is very happy with it.
    One thing i noticed when looking at s/h lathes is to have a look at the lower section of the V on the lathe bed at the chuck end for a wear line from the saddle, if you can see a line follow it back towards the tail stock and it will likely disappear after a half way up the bed. You also put an indicator stand on the cross slide with a dial indicator down onto the tailstock way 6 to 8 iinches infront of the saddle and wind the saddle towards the chuck, if the V on the bed is worn then you see the amount of wear on the indicator.

    shed

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by j3dprints View Post
    ...I thought I'd get a cheap Sieg for $800 then use the school lathes for larger things. This is still an appealing option for me.
    A couple of things to think about with that approach:
    Firstly, as someone here recently discovered, these smaller machines are not all that powerful and not as rigid so it could take a while to make things - can be a frustration.
    Using someone else's lathe when need greater capacity is alright but will you need to break down set ups all the time if you share with the school? While I must admit I try not to do it, on some occasions it is nice to be able to leave something in a chuck and come back later.
    Finally, ACME thread is more cost effectively found on Ebay or from industrial bearing shops. Turning it yourself is possible but for any decent length it takes a relatively long time and there are problems with deflection and DOC limits due to HP. While I think having a lathe is a great idea, cutting long threads on it is not necessarily the most efficient use of it.

    Michael

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    From memory I dont think seigs have a backgear or really a proper screwcutting setup, so you sure aren't going to be making any ACME anythings on one. For any real threading a backgear is absolutely essential, for ACME the extra torque is mandatory. That optimum looks like a much more competent machine than a seig.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    245

    Default

    I am leaning towards the Optimum $1750 unit - L689 | TU-2506V Bench Lathe | For Sale Sydney Brisbane Melbourne Perth | Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery online at machineryhouse.com.au - at the moment, it doesn't have a powered cross slide but that could be a fun project with a stepper motor and some software (right?). Is there anything I'm missing that's wrong with this machine?

    Anything much better seems to be coming in at around 3.5k+ (double price). I really like the AL-51G size but the 21mm spindle bore is the put off. It wouldn't bother me now but might down the track.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    The only downside is no backgear, and 150 rpm is pretty fast to learn how to do screwcutting but its sure as hell twice as good as a seig. Being honest, pretty much any really small lathe purchase is a great way to learn you wanted a bigger one. Before i went right into a new lathe I would at least go and see some second hand lathes in your budget. Totally up to you of course.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    245

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    The only downside is no backgear,
    Could you make one? I did some googling and came up with one someone had done for another lathe.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
    Posts
    633

    Default

    Buying a used lathe can really pay off, you might score a heap of tooling with the machine, or at lest enough gear to start machining straight away with no further expenses //metalworkforums.com/f65/t200329-lathe

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by j3dprints View Post
    Could you make one?
    Yes, but it would take a lot of time and cost in materials - probably if you added it up, more than the lathe is worth. One of the problems with the new imported machinery that is available is that spending a lot of money on customising something is that it makes poor economic sense - spend $500 making up a back gear or spend that money on the next machine up that has that feature...
    I regularly tell people that if they think of buying a lathe for hobby purposes, the chances are they will end up up buying at least two as on the first one they will work out how to run it and discover the features they like/ don't like. The second will incorporate those thoughts.

    Hare and Forbes currently are doing an EOFY sale. It may be worth contacting them (or visiting), explaining you are a teacher looking for a machine and see what they can do. They may also have a line on second hand machines and/ or trade in machines. They have a reputation to uphold so while you may not get the best deal on the planet, they should be able to steer you onto something to start with.

    Michael

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vic
    Age
    48
    Posts
    544

    Default

    just take your time if you can afford to wait. This Myford Super7 with quick change gearbox was advertised for $1500 a week ago. It came with 4 jaw, face place etc.
    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kiam...box/1150273322

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    245

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jackaroo View Post
    just take your time if you can afford to wait. This Myford Super7 with quick change gearbox was advertised for $1500 a week ago. It came with 4 jaw, face place etc.
    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kiam...box/1150273322
    Thanks as I said before though my issue with second hand is I'm no good at spotting a dud and thus liable to get ripped off.

    A forum member sent me this photo of a lathe that may be available, looks ok, great model, but I'd still feel more comfortable going for an H&F or similar.
    It's an Herless SSB-5MK from 1980.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vic
    Age
    48
    Posts
    544

    Default

    I just watched this last night myself. https://youtu.be/ihURTItDe2I

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,074

    Default

    j3dprints,

    I would highly recommend a 9" Hercus or Hercus 260 for a beginner. All the bugs have been ironed out, no sand in the head castings, most parts available and all your questions answered on this forum or the Hercus area.

    I'd contact forum member Mal (Allterrain50) or Australian Metalworking Hobbyist

    Exciting times ahead,

    Ken

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Australia east coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by j3dprints View Post
    Could you make one? I did some googling and came up with one someone had done for another lathe.
    You can make almost anything for anything given enough time & money. The question then reduces to, does it make sense?

    For thread cutting I'd want geared speed reduction and no more than 60 rpm.

    I wouldn't own a lathe with less than a 25mm spindle bore and 40mm is a lot more useful.

    I wouldn't own a lathe that didn't have powered cross slide.

    If you buy a lathe shaped object then spend years trying to make it into a competent machine, this becomes your hobby, not the stuff you wanted to actually make using the lathe. Same applies to a complete rebuild of an older machine of course, just your chances of ending up with a better machine improve.

    I agree with Michael - if you want longish lengths of Acme thread, buy them. There is no way you can do it as well or as accurately yourself.

    PDW

Page 1 of 7 123456 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Lathe motor upgrade questions
    By oohsam in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 25th May 2016, 12:01 AM
  2. General lathe condition questions
    By jmebgo in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 20th Jul 2012, 12:29 PM
  3. Newbie with lathe questions
    By loply in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 29th Apr 2011, 01:17 PM
  4. Another HELP on new lathe questions
    By footz in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 6th Nov 2008, 11:21 PM
  5. Lathe terms questions
    By mike j in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 4th Aug 2007, 09:23 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •