Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: New to the game

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Londrigan Australia
    Age
    51
    Posts
    9

    Default New to the game

    Hi All,
    Looking forward to learning a few tips from the wealth of knowledge available on this site...... I recently purchased a single phase, 1080mm between centres, centre lathe (won't name the dealership, as they don't check the crate prior to shipping...) but it's heading back to the distributor due to a few major issues. I've been considering a Colchester 2500 or slightly bigger, as they look better constructed than other machines you can buy new. I see on the site a few lean towards the Sherton and Masac. So many to take into consideration. Don't want to be burnt again, as I've been wanting to get into machining metal for years now, being a metal sculptor. Tips would be appreciated when buying a tool shop lathe, new or second hand.
    Cheers Sam

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    Hi sam.

    Brand is really a second consideration to condition when buying a second hand lathe, and its hard to assess condition without experience. Do you have a friend you can take with you? What state are you in?

    Also what work envelope do you need, are there any features you definitely need?



    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sculpture767 View Post
    Hi All,
    Looking forward to learning a few tips from the wealth of knowledge available on this site...... I recently purchased a single phase, 1080mm between centres, centre lathe (won't name the dealership, as they don't check the crate prior to shipping...) but it's heading back to the distributor due to a few major issues. I've been considering a Colchester 2500 or slightly bigger, as they look better constructed than other machines you can buy new. I see on the site a few lean towards the Sherton and Masac. So many to take into consideration. Don't want to be burnt again, as I've been wanting to get into machining metal for years now, being a metal sculptor. Tips would be appreciated when buying a tool shop lathe, new or second hand.
    Cheers Sam
    in no particular oder

    State of the ways, the cleaner the better as its a useful indicator of how well the machine has been treated. Look for dents and nicks and wear patches
    Check gears for damaged and missing teeth
    Listen to it running - including feeds and gears - listen for clicks, and feel for vibe
    Amount of tooling and extras - more, if in good shape = better and this can effect the price.
    Put fixed centres in the head and tail stock and make sure they kiss - not a deal breaker and may be corrected
    Check backlash on feed mechanisms.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Londrigan Australia
    Age
    51
    Posts
    9

    Default 2 party

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    Hi sam.

    Brand is really a second consideration to condition when buying a second hand lathe, and its hard to assess condition without experience. Do you have a friend you can take with you? What state are you in?

    Also what work envelope do you need, are there any features you definitely need?



    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
    I do have a good mate who's a fitter and turner by trade, so if something comes up thats worth a look I'll drag him along..... Have been offered an old three phase machine for nothing as the bed is worn....probably not worth my time repairing something like that....machining the bed ways$$$!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Rockhampton, QLD
    Age
    68
    Posts
    454

    Default

    Welcome to the forum Sam.

    Ross

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Londrigan Australia
    Age
    51
    Posts
    9

    Default Cheers Man

    Quote Originally Posted by old1955 View Post
    Welcome to the forum Sam.

    Ross
    Thanks Ross.... Will be asking plenty of basic questions no doubt... Think I'll need a milling machine before to long; once I start playing around on the Lathe.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Londrigan Australia
    Age
    51
    Posts
    9

    Default Buy or detonate

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    in no particular oder

    State of the ways, the cleaner the better as its a useful indicator of how well the machine has been treated. Look for dents and nicks and wear patches
    Check gears for damaged and missing teeth
    Listen to it running - including feeds and gears - listen for clicks, and feel for vibe
    Amount of tooling and extras - more, if in good shape = better and this can effect the price.
    Put fixed centres in the head and tail stock and make sure they kiss - not a deal breaker and may be corrected
    Check backlash on feed mechanisms.

    Will certainly take and experienced machinist along if I go the second hand lathe route Bob..... I haven't seen any worth looking at recently, good ones are probably sold to mates and don't make it online. Was told in the pub on the weekend that a friend had bought 2 old school lathes for 1g, that just sat in the workshop, hadn't changed them to single phase. Sold one them recently for 7g. Can be lucky occassionaly and get a bargain!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Londrigan Australia
    Age
    51
    Posts
    9

    Default Vic

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    Hi sam.

    Brand is really a second consideration to condition when buying a second hand lathe, and its hard to assess condition without experience. Do you have a friend you can take with you? What state are you in?

    Also what work envelope do you need, are there any features you definitely need?



    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

    Well I'm planning on making a few manual machines with the lathe (And will need a mill), only simple ones, not making anything high precision as yet. Like to be able to make what ever I want to really. It was nice to have a lathe to make a hollow bar for the bandsaw that broke recently.... Hopefully a Colchester comes up soon for a bargain ha ha After inquiring on new 2500 student $$$ I can't buy one of those unfortunately at the moment!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Sculpture 767,
    Welcome to the MetalWork Forums,


    We have some skilled and knowledgeable people here who are supportive, friendly and helpful.
    Please take the time to navigate around the forums to view the varied and interesting subjects.


    To do this, goto the the FORUM box in the top left hand corner of the screen. Click Forum Home and a scroll down page will come up.

    Scroll down the page and the various help pages and sub forums shall be shown.

    Please read the Terms of Use on the very top of the scroll down page - they are our rules.
    To save time heres the link
    https://metalworkforums.com/f90/t197...terms-tou-read

    Many pages also have a sticky at the top.If you post its always a good idea to check the sticky ,if there is one there.

    Again, welcome to our forums.

    Grahame

Similar Threads

  1. Game changer - very interesting ABC news article
    By nearnexus in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 3rd Sep 2013, 06:35 PM
  2. OT: Neat little computing game changer- Raspberry PI
    By Graziano in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 14th Sep 2012, 09:10 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
  •