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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
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    aus
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    3

    Default looking for a new lathe, want some advice

    hi there
    ive been looking for a decent second hand lathe as a home shop toy for months now and there just isnt anything here in Adelaide so im thinking about getting something new. there are 3 locally that i think are worth looking at but wanted to know if im missing something obvious.

    first up is an $1600 ebay special. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/391956807421
    notable features: comes with stand, 20mm bore 550 centres, 240kg

    candidate 2 $1595 http://www.assetplant.com/epages/sho...cts/12-0102DRO
    notable features: DRO which is nice, no stand, 20mm bore, 500 centres, only 135kg

    and frankly the one im leaning towards, $2k paramounts https://www.paramountbrowns.com.au/p...tand-610mm-bc/
    features: stand, 25mm bore, 610 centres, 258kg

    or is there something else in the price/features range? i have had a look at other interstate options but not really seen anything that matches up considering the costs of freight added on top. if im wrong id obviously be happy to take another look
    cheers
    Dan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Nosdan,
    Welcome to our Metalwork Forums,

    There are others that know much more than I do about lathes so I'll leave that bit to them to answer.
    We have a great number of clever and experienced people here on our forum.They are happy to answer questions re metalwork of all types.
    Conversely its good if you have expertise in a subject to help someone else.

    We encourage you to drop by the welcome wagon
    //metalworkforums.com/f300
    and tell us a bit about yourself.

    Meanwhile, I will PM you some links that will get you started in navigating the forum and some other important bits. Look for the PM next to the black line top rh of the screen next to your name under notifications box.
    Cheers
    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Nosdan,

    Welcome to the forums.
    I have a Myford S7LB and it only has a small 5/8" inch bore, there are many many times when I have wished that it was much bigger ! If I was going to replace or buy a new lathe it would have to have at least a 25mm or bigger bore. Fortunately I can do most things between centres.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    I'd suggest heading out to General Tools in Cavan too and seeing what they have (they also do a small amount of second hand). The issue you may have with those you have nominated is that the only local 'bricks and mortar' store you have is Paramounts, not generally known for their machine tool knowledge. You don't mention your level of experience but GT have their own service mechanic and people with machining experience so if something does go wrong advice is available.

    As John says, a larger bore is nice. On reflection, one of those things where it is always nice to have bigger, but while 20 is adequate, 25 would be better.

    If you have specific projects in mind, it would be good to know as others who do similar may be able to chime in with their experiences on the issues that they have had doing similar work.

    Michael

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
    1,894

    Default

    I briefly owned a Chinese lathe very similar to the $1600 models you show.
    It was not a good thing.

    Jordan

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Age
    73
    Posts
    459

    Default Machinery Disposals

    Just up the road from PBs at 35-37 Cavan Road is Machinery Disposals, he has a number of different machines plated as 'Impala'. The lathes are re-plated 'Optimum Maschinen' lathes. I bought my 280 x 600 lathe from them. He does have some second hand machinery but most is very old and very heavy.

    At the moment I think he has an Impala 280 x 600 in stock, same as mine, very nice lathe!

    The lathe doesn't come with some of the accessories in the picture: stand, extended handles, coolant nozzles, digital readouts and so on, I've added them myself. It does come with a sheet metal stand, 3 and 4 jaw chucks + faceplate, change gears, spanners and so on.

    I like the Optimums because they aren't covered in bog and the finish is better than the Asian norm.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
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    Default

    Depending on whether it meets your size requirements, it may also be worth thinking about this one - //metalworkforums.com/f223/t201...tal-lathe-sale. Freight through someone like Courier Company Australia: Interstate Parcel & Courier Delivery Services will probably cost a few $100 but if the price is right for the rest of it, then it could represent a reasonable deal.

    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Age
    73
    Posts
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    Default

    You can also try Machinery Warehouse, corner Cormack and Wingfiled. Occasionally, very occasionally he gets in a smallish lathe. Last time I was there he had a secondhand Impala, same as mine! A few years ago he had a Hercus.

    If nothing else, Machinery Warehouse is a good place to tell the wife you got lost in and couldn't find you way out for a day or so. My wife actually comes in with me and looks around at all the 'dirty thingies'. But she's special, no more of them left.

    Ausee in Dandenong sell Sieg. the C8 and C10 have very good specs, wouldn't mind one myself. Advertises on ebay.

    I'd be checking out that Honden also, keep in mind that some peoples idea of small may well be someone else's idea of large - as compared to what they have.

    General Tools don't keep a lot of smallish lathes in stock, but if you order a lathe through them shipping from Dandenong is cheap, I paid $50 for delivery of an AL-250 a few years ago. As far as the AL-250 is concerned - stay away, a lot better lathes out there than that one.

    Hafco/General Tools can also supply parts, even for lathes they no longer carry, so that;s a plus Machinery Warehouse where I go my Impala will also get parts in if you ask. I've heard Ozmestore don't.

    Lathes are supposedly self replicating, so you can make parts on the lathe - providing the part you need isn't stopping the machine from working. I've made a few bits and pieces for my Impala, but only accessories, over the years I've learn't to be very careful.

    On the second lathe you listed from Asset, Hafco sell them as the AL-50G, I've had two of them. They are possibly one of the most popular lathes on the market worldwide and there are a plethora of web sites devoted to them. The only problems I had was belt slippage and breakage due to it's small size and the small 21mm hole through spindle. There is a reason they are so popular - they are an excellent first or tenth lathe. I do tend to rave about these machines so I am obviously biased.

    Look up 9x30 lathe. Steve Bedair had/has an excellent site, he died a few years ago but I believe his site is still up and running.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    aus
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I'd suggest heading out to General Tools in Cavan too
    thanks, dropped in there yesterday while i was out and about, the hafco machines seem to be around a grand more expensive than the equivalent chinese lathes by the time you add in a stand etc. not convinced that its really worth it for what is really just another chinese lathe anyway? they didnt have anything second hand that wasnt an absolute beast.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    aus
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sacc51 View Post
    At the moment I think he has an Impala 280 x 600 in stock, same as mine, very nice lathe!
    thanks for ya reply, any rough ideas on cost? will pop in there the next time im out that way.

    are those little dials on the back your DRO? what kind and where did ya get them from? looks like a nice idea

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    Oz
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    Default

    I paid $2000 for it a couple of years ago, a little more than others I suppose but I considered it worth it, slightly larger than a 250 and better quality. It came with a sheet metal stand, which now supports a bench. The only problem I've had with it was the carriage guide at the back, it required a little fiddling for a better fit. The optimum/Impala has six speeds and two belts, three speeds each. If you don't like changing belts, it's probably not for you.

    The DROs I got on ebay, they are Shahe who appear to manufacture some reasonable gear. I also have one of their verniers. From memory, I think I paid $38 for the small one and $70 odd for the long one. Most definitely worth it!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
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    Tatachilla
    Age
    63
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    29

    Default

    Hi Dan,
    I have one of these (1st one mentioned), they are all similar with minor changes to models. I bought mine secondhand but near new. See this link I've just started here it will give you a good indication of what to expect from them.

    //metalworkforums.com/f65/t2014...02-model-lathe

    Mine is known as the Workman, the yanks call it the Grizzly G0602, mine is 250 x 550 with mt4 spindle taper, mt3 tailstock taper and a 26mm spindle bore. Enough for home work

    cheers Alby

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