Lathes

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
We are looking at buying the boy a Lathe as a combined birthday/Xmas present.
Lots of chinese stuff around.Looking to spend up to $1000 as I can use it too.
Any of you guys sell or have used these cheaper lathes and can offer advice????
Brian,Im guessing you can help out here;););)
Cheers
Andrew

[EchiDna]

for wood or metal? what's he want to make?

[dullbird]

More like what does andy want to make using his boy as an excuse! still cheap way of going about it making it his birthday and xmas present means you still get stuff for yours:wasntme:

[Slunnie]

It'd be wood.

We try to buy the heavier stuff, but almost all of it now is coming out of China. I'm pretty sure even the Woodfast stuff sadly is.

[Rangier Rover]

If metal in the way of a cheapie I have one of these https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/580508.

Surprising what it can do. I made a coolant tray and use a fish tank pump on it.

Not the best or most accurate out there but I got it on a special price;)

For a grand you have limited choice in size:(. Check on the consumables as they can get away in price before you jump in.:eek:

I got mine for around a grand with a basic set of tools.



Tony

[Slunnie]

https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/580508

I've never seen those! Absolutely brilliant, especially for home/small workshop.

[LandyAndy]

You are all wrong.
STEEL.
No I dont need one.Lindsays interests at the moment are BOMBS, FIREWORKS,AIR POWERED RIFLES(have holes in my shed:mad::mad::mad:) and a JET ENGINE!!!! He is 14,at least he isnt sneaking off drinking and druging it with others:cool::cool::cool:.
He built an air powered piston motor using the school gear which impressed the hell out of quite a few people:cool::cool::cool: He is also studying aeronautics,pretty sure it will impress the hell out of the teacher and class when we take his jet engine in for a demo once its built;);););)
Seen some impressive fireworks bombs on the beach(IN COMPLETELY SAFE CONDITIONS) and some Thermite experiments he is doing at the moment.
He has been in the top 5% in the state in his school testing since primary school:cool::cool::cool: He finds school boring and no challenge,hence the allowing under supervision to do stuff other kids wouldnt dream of.
Andrew

[isuzutoo-eh]

I have 2 lathes. One a tiny watch makers one, the other a large model engineer's size lathe (8" dia swing, 4' bed). Both are nearing 70 years old, and apart from the big one not being set up at the moment, both are superb machines.
For the money, you could pick up a very nice Aussie, american or European made lathe and a heap of tooling, and if you choose carefully you'll have a more accurate and capable machine than buying new chinese gear.
You may want to consider getting in touch with a local model engineering society for advice or find out if one of their members is selling a lathe.

Now I wish I had a mill :p
Cheers,
Mark

[Slunnie]

Bugger... the computer got out of control and I lost my reply. :lol2:

In a nutshell I was saying firstly send him to my school! I need students like that!!!

I also didn't know you could get metal lathes for that cost.

But, I'd be looking for rigidity in the bed, carriage and tool post. The machine generates more force than what you would think and deflection causes a lot of problems. You will even get deflection in just the workpiece creating visible tapers when parallel turning with machining as close as 40-50mm from the chuck.

I'd also just check it has enough grunt to drive the project and that you can do all of the usual things like grind and fit your own tools, it has a compound slide and tailstock etc.

[LandyAndy]

THANKS TONY:twisted::twisted::twisted:
Showed the boy that link,he has a massif stiffy:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Its MUCH bigger than the ones in the brocheres he has collected."Dad that would be awesome,double the job length,much more horsepower etc etc"
THANKS:cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[Rangier Rover]

https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/580508

I've never seen those! Absolutely brilliant, especially for home/small workshop.
Thanks for fixing the link slunnie.

I have access to a much bigger lathe but surprisingly I can do 90% of the fiddly stuff on the toy:cool:


Just made two new water tubes for my 5088 inter. They would have costed over $100 each + freight:eek: Took some round bar and 20 Min's with this small lathe.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15427&stc=1&d=1241960327

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15428&stc=1&d=1241960387

Tony

[Blknight.aus]

Its a bit late in the game but dads got my lathe in a shed at his place till you get him setup on his lathe your welcome to use mine...

[pop058]

Andrew,

your boy sounds like one of our future engineers. The little lathe/mill/drill machines are OK. as someone has said, accuracy, deflection, etc. need to be monitored, but for the money (for a 14YO) they are great.

Be aware that he (and you) will want bigger/better/more toys in the future, but that one shown is a good start.

Paul

PS. I cant use my son as an excuse for play things anymore, but Nan is a pushover for the 4 grandsons :D :D :D :D

Paul

[EchiDna]

well based on the current price ($1025) this one is better value IMHO...

HERCUS 260 PECISION WORKSHOP LATHE - eBay Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 11-May-09 20:00:00 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HERCUS-260-PECISION-WORKSHOP-LATHE_W0QQitemZ170328370534QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_P ower_Tools?hash=item170328370534&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A19|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0 |293%3A1|294%3A50)

sorry stupid long ebay links...

[EchiDna]

bugger that - if you have access to someone who can fix electric motors (should be someone in/around the mines?) this looks even better for the $$ and at least it's in WA...

SHERATON HOBBY LATHE / 3 JAW CHUCK / 9 INCH SWING - eBay Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 18-May-09 17:00:35 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SHERATON-HOBBY-LATHE-3-JAW-CHUCK-9-INCH-SWING_W0QQitemZ120417579605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_B nI_Woodworking_Metalworking?hash=item120417579605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0| 293%3A1|294%3A50)

[Slunnie]

well based on the current price ($1025) this one is better value IMHO...

HERCUS 260 PECISION WORKSHOP LATHE - eBay Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 11-May-09 20:00:00 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HERCUS-260-PECISION-WORKSHOP-LATHE_W0QQitemZ170328370534QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_P ower_Tools?hash=item170328370534&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A19|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0 |293%3A1|294%3A50)

sorry stupid long ebay links...
These are good and very resilient.

There must be a million of these that are still operating in schools from a millennium ago. The will probably be parts everywhere aswell. Odds are that your kid will know how to work that machine already.

[JDNSW]

https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/580508

I've never seen those! Absolutely brilliant, especially for home/small workshop.

I have had one of these for about five years. While not perfect by any means, it has a lot of capability if used with intelligence, but you will need a lot of extra bits to do a lot. Apart from general maintenance I have made parts for conversion of agricultural machinery etc, Biggest shortcoming is the lack of reversing gear - I plan to make one but have not done it yet.

If you get one of these take care in setting it up - make sure it is mounted on a solid base and is secured to it without distorting the bed. (there are ways to check this). This applies whether you get one of these or any other type of lathe.

You can often do better getting a second hand, higher quality lathe, particularly if it is from a deceased estate, as it can come with a lot of tools and extras. But watch that it may have significant wear, and will probably have the disadvantage for today's kids that it will almost certainly use imperial units.

John

[Bigbjorn]

Depends on what you are going to do. What length, swing, will you need, range of threads needed, voltage, etc. You won't get much for one big one even second hand. Used three phase machines sell cheaper than 240 volt ones which are in greater demand from hobbyists and small workshops. The Chinese ones are pretty good today. A new one should be around $3500-$4000 in 14" swing x 40" between centres. Dont go smaller than this unless you are only model making. This is about the minimum size for automotive work. Buy length when buying a lathe. Sooner or later you will want to put a shaft or bar in it that is too long for your lathe and you have to take off the tailstock and hold it up in a steady rest with the shaft's end hanging out in space. Check the range of speeds. Amateurs need slow speeds for screw cutting, 30-40 rpm for preference, and to be able to use tungsten carbide tooling on small diameter work you need high speeds, 1800 rpm and more. Also machines with gearboxes that allow the full range of speeds and threads without having to change belts, or replace a gear are preferable. Changing belts and gears is now dinosaur stuff. If buying used, check for wear in the headstock bearings by grasping the chuck and feeling for play by trying to lift it vertically and side to side. Check the slop on the hand wheels. Any more than say 5 graduations needs to adjusted out if possible, or maybe the screw and/or half nuts need replacing. Check if there is adjustment, many don't have this facility. If buying an old machine, check that you are getting all the change gears as these are usually impossible to find afterwards. At liquidators auctions, often the change gears and tooling are not with the lathe as the auctioneer's staff don't recognise them and throw them out as rubbish or put them in separate lots. If the machine is still wired in, run it through all the speeds, both forward and reverse. Check if both the feeds and the half-nut on the lead screw engage without struggle and don't kick out. Is the thread chasing dial still on the machine? Is there a functioning coolant pump and plumbing? Check motor power. Most 240 volt lathes are only 1 to 1.5 hp. Two hp or more is good so you can drive tungsten carbide tools hard enough particularly into stainless, tool, and special steels. There should be three and four jaw chucks, drive plate, faceplate, headstock and tailstock centres and hopefully some tool holders. If not you are going to have to buy them. Just like buying a car, is it all there, and in good usable condition.

[BMKal]

bugger that - if you have access to someone who can fix electric motors (should be someone in/around the mines?) this looks even better for the $$ and at least it's in WA...

SHERATON HOBBY LATHE / 3 JAW CHUCK / 9 INCH SWING - eBay Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 18-May-09 17:00:35 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SHERATON-HOBBY-LATHE-3-JAW-CHUCK-9-INCH-SWING_W0QQitemZ120417579605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_B nI_Woodworking_Metalworking?hash=item120417579605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0| 293%3A1|294%3A50)

That's not bad for the price. And you wouldn't bother fixing the electric motor. It's three phase. Just throw it out and replace it with a cheap single phase that you could pick up anywhere for next to nothing.

[Bigbjorn]

That's not bad for the price. And you wouldn't bother fixing the electric motor. It's three phase. Just throw it out and replace it with a cheap single phase that you could pick up anywhere for next to nothing.

Unless you know something I don't, it is used 3 phase motors that are cheap. Usually selling at auction for scrap value, a couple of hundred dollars a pallet. Good used 240 volt motors over 1 hp are hard to find and usually sell high. Plenty of small 240 volt motors about and 2800rpm ones but not the more powerful ones at 1400rpm. Reason is most equipment with that sort of power is made with three phase motors.

That Sheraton should be selling for a good bit more than that if it is OK. It is a bargain if it is a good one. Not hard to get $1500 or more for a good one like that.

[BMKal]

Unless you know something I don't, it is used 3 phase motors that are cheap. Usually selling at auction for scrap value, a couple of hundred dollars a pallet. Good used 240 volt motors over 1 hp are hard to find and usually sell high. Plenty of small 240 volt motors about and 2800rpm ones but not the more powerful ones at 1400rpm. Reason is most equipment with that sort of power is made with three phase motors.

That Sheraton should be selling for a good bit more than that if it is OK. It is a bargain if it is a good one. Not hard to get $1500 or more for a good one like that.

Was thinking more along the lines that it's unlikely that there'll be a three phase supply where this lathe is going to end up.

And if you have the right contacts (which I'm sure Andrew has), cheap single phase motors aren't hard to find.

[Bigbjorn]

well based on the current price ($1025) this one is better value IMHO...

HERCUS 260 PECISION WORKSHOP LATHE - eBay Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Metalworking, Woodworking, Business, Industrial. (end time 11-May-09 20:00:00 AEST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HERCUS-260-PECISION-WORKSHOP-LATHE_W0QQitemZ170328370534QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_P ower_Tools?hash=item170328370534&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A19|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0 |293%3A1|294%3A50)

sorry stupid long ebay links...

That Hercus looks to be in very good condition for its age. It is probably 30-40 years old, short V-bed, still uses belt drive spindle and change gears, and feed is from the lead screw not a separate feed shaft. Very old design and limited capacity lacking power. Not bad for a model maker or auto electrician. Price is fair for an old Hercus.

[Taz]

Our OH&S guy at work started posting up pictures of a nasty lathe accident that really makes you think... some guy had got his clothes caught in the chuck and was dragged in. The picture shows him still slumped over the chuck with half his brains missing where the chuck jaws had chewed half way into his head, and he had an eye hanging by a tenden off to one side. The picture must have been taken wihtin minutes of the accident because his blood/brains were more pink than red. I've spent 5years as an instrument technician and at first I thought this was just shock tactics, but upon reflection I thought it was a good warning for those who lack confidence with these machines, particularly powerful ones.

What ever you buy - make sure it has a big-arse emergency stop button within easy reach!

PS - I'm very envious! Lindsay is a lucky lad to have a Dad like u!

[Bigbjorn]

Was thinking more along the lines that it's unlikely that there'll be a three phase supply where this lathe is going to end up.

And if you have the right contacts (which I'm sure Andrew has), cheap single phase motors aren't hard to find.

Just got quoted $420 plus GST for a 240volt 2.2kw 1400 rpm motor, Australian made, plus reversing switch if needed $70 plus GST.

[LandyAndy]

Hey Taz
A few years back a local Sod Buster was preparing his 5 in 1 bin for seeding(they use them to fill seed/super into their seeders) It was on its stand,not fitted to the truck as they do.He caught his threadbare jumper sleeve on the shaft whilst runing,it lifted him 4 feet off the ground,spun him around the shaft twice before the jumper failed.Lucky to escape with a broken arm as his worst injury.Was bruised from head to toe:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Lindsay is well aware of Oc health,they really hammer them at school before letting them loose on the tools:cool::cool::cool:
Thanks
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

I took Lindsay up to look at a few Lathes on friday.
Was quite dissapointed in the quality of the cheaper ones and lack of accesories supplied.
Was really impressed with the guy at Hare&Forbes.
I had to convince him to deal with Lindsay not me as I nothing about them.He and Lindsay hit it off big time.He told me how impressed he was with Lindsays product knowledge.Anyway they settled upon a HAFCO AL320G.Yes alot more than I want to pay,but it is an industrial machine.It has a few extra bits the cheapies dont.Now we just got to sort out some $$$,$3240 of them to be precise:eek::eek::eek:
This includes all his tooling needed.
Would look real nice in my shed,but Im told Im not clever enough so I wont be able to use it.
He is hoping to do cash jobs with it:eek::eek::eek:
Anybody able to tell us if the HAFCO gear is as good as it looks???
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=L141
Andrew

[John W]

Sorry can't say I know if it works as good as it looks but my tongue is hanging out, it looks S...Hot, seriously jealous. Enjoy

[CraigE]

Seen some impressive fireworks bombs on the beach(IN COMPLETELY SAFE CONDITIONS)

MMM, I seem to recall something like that.
;););)

[LandyAndy]

Craig
He has ADVANCED heaps since then!!!
Makes his own Black Powder
Makes his own air powered guns(300+PSI)
Makes his own fuses
Quite the trainee terrorist:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Andrew

[Bigbjorn]

I took Lindsay up to look at a few Lathes on friday.
Was quite dissapointed in the quality of the cheaper ones and lack of accesories supplied.
Was really impressed with the guy at Hare&Forbes.
I had to convince him to deal with Lindsay not me as I nothing about them.He and Lindsay hit it off big time.He told me how impressed he was with Lindsays product knowledge.Anyway they settled upon a HAFCO AL320G.Yes alot more than I want to pay,but it is an industrial machine.It has a few extra bits the cheapies dont.Now we just got to sort out some $$$,$3240 of them to be precise:eek::eek::eek:
This includes all his tooling needed.
Would look real nice in my shed,but Im told Im not clever enough so I wont be able to use it.
He is hoping to do cash jobs with it:eek::eek::eek:
Anybody able to tell us if the HAFCO gear is as good as it looks???
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=L141
Andrew

That is a generic Chinese lathe sold by all and sundry under a variety of names. Price is OK. Good hobby engineers or model makers lathe. Suits lighter work like auto sparkies, fridgies, or motor mechanics. Older design, uses belt drives and back gears for two speed ranges and change gears for metric screwcutting. Uses 1/2"/12mm tool holders. I would have gone for an AL340 or 540 myself but they are a good bit more money. I like the extra length and extra power. Does yours have a cam-lock spindle? My Hare and Forbes catalogue doesn't mention the type of spindle nose.

You will soon be buying him accessories and tooling. Live centre, carbide tipped half centre, some TC insert tool holders and spare inserts, dial indicator and mag. base, couple of smaller micrometers for a start, decent size drill chuck on an MT arbor, should soon be on your shopping list.

If he is going to use TC tools he will need to experiment a bit with speeds and feeds as that little lathe has only 1 hp so you will not be able to take heavy cuts. Higher speeds and fine feeds should be the way to get good finish with TC tools.

[Jeff]

I bought a smaller lathe, and a small milling machine, but then spent the same amount on tools as they don't come with much. The size of the lathe is sometimes too small, but no matter which size I bought that would happen sometime.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=M150

Jeff

:rocket:

[Bigbjorn]

I bought a smaller lathe, and a small milling machine, but then spent the same amount on tools as they don't come with much. The size of the lathe is sometimes too small, but no matter which size I bought that would happen sometime.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=M150

Jeff

:rocket:

I once owned a small jobbing machine shop. I had a largish Stankexport universal milling machine with a motorised overarm, and a Bridgeport style vertical. Milling machines are similar to yachts. People say yachts are a hole in the water into which you throw money. Milling machines are a black hole in the workshop into which you throw money. You seemed to always have to buy or make another cutter, jig, fixture, etc. to do the job you just accepted. Ludmilla the Russian was a terrific machine. Built like a Russian road worker, hence the name. Could take a 1/2" cut off a steel billet with a 7" slab mill without hesitation, and dead accurate on the dials. Made good machine tools, the Soviets.

[gruntfuttock]

Andrew,
A mate of mine runs a machine & welding shop and has one like the one you bought. He thinks it is a "good machine for the money" and it suits his needs. He uses it quite regularly, along with the other 3 or 4 he has. Good buy;)

I have a Schaublin 102. LOVELY MACHINE!!!!

Can turn off 1/100th of a mm

[Pedro_The_Swift]

My only comment on all of this Andy,,
















does he sell fireworks??:angel:

[LandyAndy]

No Pedro
South Aussie Im told from a workmate who put on an awsome Australia day performance in town and now has a explosives conviction against his name.Funny thing is he looks like a terrorist(despite being a born and bred Aussie,he is just hairy),we all call him Achmed,they test him for explosive residues before being allowed to travel on aircraft because of his conviction.
Andrew

[abaddonxi]

Onya Andy, what a great gift.

[LandyAndy]

Hi Brian
Yes I guess Lindsay would love me to double the price yet again.Im guessing he would be VERY happy with this one as its $1500 more than we were first discussing.
Quote of $3240 covered the Lathe,live centre,16mm keyless chuck,Arbour,3pce toolset 12mm,12mm parting tool and 5l of concentrated Synthetic cut lube.A Stand wasnt included but would look at getting one.
Andrew

[lane]

And check the Quokka Andy. I picked up a Taiwanese lathe of medium size secondhand for five hundred dollars. Put a "Wanted" advert in for best results, I think.

Funny thing abou teenagers. Mate of mine's son, who is a genius pianist of all things, recently had to be banned from making gunpowder (been doing it for years!) because he burned himself and they were worried about his hands...

Our lathe is for my fifteen year old, who sounds eerily similar to yours - except I don't let him mix chemicals. Spud guns etc. are OK. Explosives are surely a great way to end up with a criminal conviction! (As your mate found out).

[Bigbjorn]

Hi Brian
Yes I guess Lindsay would love me to double the price yet again.Im guessing he would be VERY happy with this one as its $1500 more than we were first discussing.
Quote of $3240 covered the Lathe,live centre,16mm keyless chuck,Arbour,3pce toolset 12mm,12mm parting tool and 5l of concentrated Synthetic cut lube.A Stand wasnt included but would look at getting one.
Andrew

I would have thought the stand was included for that price. Maybe business is not so competitive over in Sandland. What tools did you get? Probably left hand, straight, and right hand turning tool holders that use 3/16" or 1/4" HSS tool bits. No boring bar?

[LandyAndy]

Hi Brian
Yes there is a boring bar as I mentioned to the salesman if the 14YO was into parting tools and boring bars I would have thought he would be chasing girls:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:.
Lane
Any of his fireworks are under STRICT supervision.
Have got permission from a couple of farmers to let him experiment with "bigger" stuff in old gravel pits.
I dont allow spud guns,seen a few go wrong.He has made a few air and butane powered air rifles.His latest drives a cottonbud clean thru a coke can,has laser sight too:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Perhaps these boys would be interested in contacting one another.
Andrew

[groucho]

https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/580713
I bought one of these 3 years ago with all the gear you get with
is pretty god value.....Mark

[NOFUSS]

.His latest drives a cottonbud clean thru a coke can,has laser sight too
Andrew

watermellons make good targets as they tend to hang on little projectiles :D
used to make brass cannons with wheels (gotto love a lathe) as kids useing home made black powder to fire matches and cotten buds lots of noise and the old man going crook at us for making a racket are those were the days:angel:

[lane]

Perhaps these boys would be interested in contacting one another.
Andrew

Mate, that's the one thing we really need to avoid. :)

Recently we were visiting the old farm I grew up on, and I showed the boys the hole in the shed roof from my home-made mortar which I forgot was inside when I lit the fuse...

Boys are boys. Pity everything is so regulated today.

[HangOver]

hey andy
check out the west australian, I think its a Saturday, they list auctions for companies that have closed down. I have been to a couple that where machine shops. If you have a few weeks to spare just bide your time and see what turns up.
The odd thing is at auctions stuff either goes for peanuts or more that you'd pay new. Not sure why. Still, if you get a good day you'll pick one up cheap.

[Bigbjorn]

https://ishop.gasweld.com.au/ishop/stock/item/580713
I bought one of these 3 years ago with all the gear you get with
is pretty god value.....Mark

That is another generic Chinese hobby lathe. It is pretty much what LandyAndy has bought. That catalogue price can be beaten down by shopping around and some hard-nosed bargaining.

That whole series of Chinese lathes use the same designs and common castings produced in a multitude of plants under a multitude of brand names. Sold all around the world, often under the brand name of a well known non-Asian maker. The first ones came from Taiwan in the late 60's-early 70's. Well, that was when I first saw them.

Also were sold in varying standards of fit, finish, and accuracy according to price and the market they were intended for. I have a Taiwanese "Liang Dei" toolroom quality version of the 14" x 40" model. Very good machine, very accurate. Now thirty years old. I kept it when I retired from the machine shop business as it is 240 volt and I wanted one at home.

[blitz]

watermellons make good targets as they tend to hang on little projectiles :D
used to make brass cannons with wheels (gotto love a lathe) as kids useing home made black powder to fire matches and cotten buds lots of noise and the old man going crook at us for making a racket are those were the days:angel:

My goodness that brought back a memory I havent thought of for years and years - we made one at school, nailed it to a post and aimed it at the neigbours cat - man we were going to scare it clean into next week. umm over done the powder amount and killed it stone dead.

Never in the histroy of mankind has three kids run so bloody fast nor disposed of the evidence that fast either. OOOOO bugger did we lay low for a long time after that.

After a couple of months and God hadn't come down from the heavens and smitten us dead we realised we had gotten away with it but we realised that this stuff was way more than just play toys.

Ah what a memory

Blythe

[groucho]

That is another generic Chinese hobby lathe. It is pretty much what LandyAndy has bought. That catalogue price can be beaten down by shopping around and some hard-nosed bargaining.

That whole series of Chinese lathes use the same designs and common castings produced in a multitude of plants under a multitude of brand names. Sold all around the world, often under the brand name of a well known non-Asian maker. The first ones came from Taiwan in the late 60's-early 70's. Well, that was when I first saw them.

Also were sold in varying standards of fit, finish, and accuracy according to price and the market they were intended for. I have a Taiwanese "Liang Dei" toolroom quality version of the 14" x 40" model. Very good machine, very accurate. Now thirty years old. I kept it when I retired from the machine shop business as it is 240 volt and I wanted one at home.

Brian
I payed $2800.00 with suds pump and stand and a set of cutting tools- ect
it has payed for its self with jobs i have done for the truck. Made a lot of stuff for the Landrovers. Made some mandrells for skimming brakedrums /rotors ect, suits my purpose ....Mark

[LandyAndy]

Hi Brian
Havent actualy bought it yet.
Thanks for the offer of sending that engineering info,looking forward to recieving it.
Will enquire what sort of deal they can do for the bigger lathe.
Thanks
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

HAPPY BITHDAY LINDSAY(for wednesday)
Ive just ordered this https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=L682
Yes bigger than originally intended.
Decided he should have a 900mm rather than 600mm unit.This one also has coolant feed and most importantly a foot brake.
Andrew