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Thread: New to the game
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12th May 2021, 09:42 AM #1New Member
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- May 2021
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- Londrigan Australia
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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
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12th May 2021, 09:48 AM #2Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2016
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- Melbourne
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- 35
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- 1,522
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
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12th May 2021, 11:04 AM #3Member: Blue and white apron brigade
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
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- 7,189
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.
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12th May 2021, 12:26 PM #4New Member
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- May 2021
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- Londrigan Australia
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- 51
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- 9
2 party
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$$$!
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12th May 2021, 12:32 PM #5Senior Member
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- May 2013
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- Rockhampton, QLD
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Welcome to the forum Sam.
Ross
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12th May 2021, 12:50 PM #6New Member
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- May 2021
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- 51
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12th May 2021, 01:14 PM #7New Member
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- May 2021
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- Londrigan Australia
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Buy or detonate
Will certainly take and experienced machinist along if I go the second hand lathe route Bob..... I haven't seen any worth looking at recently, good ones are probably sold to mates and don't make it online. Was told in the pub on the weekend that a friend had bought 2 old school lathes for 1g, that just sat in the workshop, hadn't changed them to single phase. Sold one them recently for 7g. Can be lucky occassionaly and get a bargain!
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12th May 2021, 02:50 PM #8New Member
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- May 2021
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- Londrigan Australia
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- 51
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Vic
Well I'm planning on making a few manual machines with the lathe (And will need a mill), only simple ones, not making anything high precision as yet. Like to be able to make what ever I want to really. It was nice to have a lathe to make a hollow bar for the bandsaw that broke recently.... Hopefully a Colchester comes up soon for a bargain ha ha After inquiring on new 2500 student $$$ I can't buy one of those unfortunately at the moment!
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13th May 2021, 08:00 AM #9
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
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