Thread: Any Advice on this Lathe - CQ6230A

Hi,

My wife has given me permission to buy a new lathe. This one has come up:

Lathe Metal | eBay

Its a Toolmac CQ6230A. Its nice and close to where I now live so I should be able to inspect it myself. Does anyone have one or know someone who does? I'd like to hear about them. I've read a lot of the old threads from Woodwork forums but would like any new info.

Cheers Ben.

ps, it might be a pipe dream, just cause your wife says you can do something doesn't really mean you can actually do it!

Specs look reasonable. Basic chunky Chinese machine, if the build quality is up there it should do you good service. Go take a look, ask if you can do a trial cut or 2. The 2 collar test on some aluminium would be a good start.

PDW

They were used in some high schools,so I expect they are fairly good.

I would go for it as it looks to be well looked after.

Ask about the change gears as they are not mentioned or pictured .
You need them to cut threads.

Grahame

Well Ben, it looks ok, but the best bit I got out of viewing this thread is the great idea for mounting the spare chuck keys on the back chip guard. It drives me crazy finding the correct key as my two 3 jaw and the 4 jaw and the camloc spindle all have different square dimensions.
Hope you get good service out of the new lathe.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Originally Posted by bwal74

Hi,

My wife has given me permission to buy a new lathe. This one has come up:

Lathe Metal | eBay

Its a Toolmac CQ6230A. Its nice and close to where I now live so I should be able to inspect it myself. Does anyone have one or know someone who does? I'd like to hear about them. I've read a lot of the old threads from Woodwork forums but would like any new info.

Cheers Ben.

ps, it might be a pipe dream, just cause your wife says you can do something doesn't really mean you can actually do it!

Had a bit of a browse at the ad, sent him a message about delivery as per ad and he wants $350 - $400 to deliver it to Sydney.

Originally Posted by Auskart

Had a bit of a browse at the ad, sent him a message about delivery as per ad and he wants $350 - $400 to deliver it to Sydney.

That's ok for me, he only lives 15 mins from my house.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow afternoon. I have to measure the door width on my man cave (garden shed) to make sure it fits. Another problem I have is my cement floor has a approx 5 degree slope on it. So leveling it will be difficult. Also, moving it from the front of the house around the back to the shed will be problematic - from hard standing to grass (sloping). One of the more convenient things about the Hercus (mill and lathe) is the relative ease of moving them.

Anyway I gotta go look at it first.

Ben.

Originally Posted by bwal74

I'm going to Also, moving it from the front of the house around the back to the shed will be problematic - from hard standing to grass (sloping).

Its is the same basic specs as my lathe which if I remember correctly comes in about 480Kgs with all the accessories. A portable 1 ton capacity crane will lift it .

It is best moved by taking off the chuck, and the tailstock for minimum weight. The sheet metal stands should come off as lifting the lathe with the stands on makes it top heavy and prone to tip over

Some people do leave the tailstock on as it can be slid back and forth to get balance when slung and then locked. I can't advise the trip over the grass other than maybe some sort of pallet dolly with a couple of plywood sheets to run on.

I levelled my lathe with jacking bolts and they bear on to 50 x 16mm steel flat bar.

When I moved all my lathes I remove the tailstock, chuck, carriage and motor. It makes a big difference in weight and distributes the weight better lessening the chance of a tip over. It doesn't take long to strip those bits off. Mostly though, I strip it to prevent damage to handwheels, etc, if it does accidentally tip.

For moving a lathe over grass and rough terrain, you cannot beat a mat of corrigated roofing iron , the lathe will slide along the corrigations like a dream. I' ve done it many times

Morning,

Going to look at the lathe today.

IRT modifications I'd make, the first thing I'd do is put on a QCTP. But I noticed the cross slide has the T slot type mount for the Toolpost, where do you acquire those? H&F has the standard type, would they stock the T slot type? I've checked the website but it didn't really help.

I'd also put on DRO and collet chuck.

I'll cross the moving bridge when I get to it.

Ben.

Depending on the type of quick change you buy, you modify the Tee slot clamp plate that comes with it to suit your compound dimension or you make one to suit the hold down bolt of the quick change.

The Toolpost on the lathe looks exactly like the one that came with my lathe..

The toolpost pivot bolt is machined from one piece of steel with the male shape to match the Tee slot.

The bolt diameter is 16mm and my QCTP fitted this dimension.

I would say there is every likelihood that your QCTP will drop straight on.

Let me know should you require any further dimensions.

Grahame

I had the same lathe as this from when Herless machinery in Melbourne where selling them a good honest basic lathe I used mine for some 15 years before upgrading they are a little weak in the top slide casting area (width over the dovetail) so watch the compound rest is not set to far to the left when parting off and spend some time to get her levelled up well and true bed was easy to twist other than that a good lathe

I bought one new in 2003 to replace a little old Hercus lathe.
Have not been able to fault it, I added a DRO not long after buying it and have been happy with it ever since.

How about this one Ben?
Metal Lathe - Lots of extras | eBay