. .

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Hi All,

    As I'm getting dangerously close to producing stuff with my CNC Router, the other machine I'm looking at getting is a lathe.

    My requirements are not that clear, but I guess I'll have a budget of circa £1K and Single Phase ideally (although I guess I could use a VFD for a 3 phase, as I have a spare 2.2Kw that normally goes with a spindle). The machine needs to be fairly compact and I have a decent square section steel workbench, so something with an overall length of ~1metre.

    Materials will be up to occasional stainless steel, but more regularly probably mild steel and some aluminium.

    I have had a look at the Sieg Super C6, which seems to fit the bill, but opinions welcome.

    Cheers


    Chris

  2. #2
    I started off powering my lathe (Colchester student) with the 2.2kW VFD from my CNC router. Just put the right settings in and it'll be fine, up to 2.2kW of course.

    If you have reasonably easy access to the workshop from the road, then definately consider getting a second hand lathe which is bigger than the C6. So log as the bed and bearings are in good condition, it doesn't really matter if it's quite old - mine is about 45 years old and it's still easy to make accurate parts with it:

    Name:  3964d1350260543t-new-toy-setting-up-colchester-student-lathe-dsc07254-medium-.jpg
Views: 585
Size:  6.7 KB

    You'll get so much more for your money if you get a second hand lathe. Bear in mind they can be very heavy. Something like a Colchester student (or "cholesterol student" if you believe the spelling checker in chrome!), harrisson M250/M350 would comfortably cut the materials you need, but there are plenty of other examples. They're maybe a bit bigger than you're thinking, but the difference in how well they cut compared to what you'd get for £1k new (i.e. 'toy' lathe like the C6 or myford) is pretty indisputable. Just look on eBay for items nearby...

    Having said that, even with a small lathe you can, up to a point, make reasonably large accurate parts so long as you're patient. e.g. I several years ago I made the front two of these wheel rims on a Sieg C3 lathe which only had an 80mm chuck. The fun bit was milling the hexagons without CNC. The other two I did more recently with the Colchester lathe in a fraction of the time.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC01363 (Medium).JPG 
Views:	378 
Size:	71.0 KB 
ID:	10334Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSC01377 (Medium).JPG 
Views:	348 
Size:	98.9 KB 
ID:	10335
    Last edited by Jonathan; 04-10-2013 at 02:22 PM.
    Old router build log here. New router build log here. Lathe build log here.
    Electric motorbike project here.

  3. #3
    m_c's Avatar
    Lives in East Lothian, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 3 Days Ago Forum Superstar, has done so much to help others, they deserve a medal. Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 2,908. Received thanks 360 times, giving thanks to others 8 times.
    What size of things would you like to turn?
    That is probably a bigger deciding factor.

  4. #4
    I reckon I'll be turning and threading mostly sub 20mm round bars, but do have the need on some pieces I'm making of boring into stock at 20-25mm and about 80-100mm deep. The latter operations won't be into stainless but possibly mild steels.

    Oh and also some gear cutting possibly, so a divider plate will be a likely future add-on.

    Chris

  5. #5
    Hi Chris
    Have a look @ The Emco V10-P in the classifieds and see if it's been sold, these are a nice piece of kit and it comes with a milling head, i have the Emcomat 7 and it has given me good service over the last 36 years, i do gear cutting on mine.
    Mike

  6. #6
    m_c's Avatar
    Lives in East Lothian, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 3 Days Ago Forum Superstar, has done so much to help others, they deserve a medal. Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 2,908. Received thanks 360 times, giving thanks to others 8 times.
    New, the Clarke CL430 has 25mm through hole.
    I've had a CL500 for nearly ten years now, which is the 430 with a milling head, but the milling head was only ever on it for a few weeks, and it's done well in the time I've had it.
    I spent some time comparing various new lathes earlier this year, and the Clarke was the only one in it's size range that came with a 25mm through hole, everything else was only 20mm.

    Second hand, you will pay a premium for smaller lathes, but you've got to be wary of what you're buying.
    Colchester Bantam may be more suited to your space requirements than a Student.
    Boxford xUDs (I can never remember what the first letters mean!), Harrisons are good makes.
    Other option is check out Warco/Chester to see what sits in yoru size range and see if any are available secondhand on the usual places.

  7. #7
    Thanks Guys,

    Googling lathes seems to bring up the same brands, so the additional makes above are very useful. I'll throw some saved searches out on ebay and keep an eye out.

    Chris

  8. #8
    Quick update guys and firstly thanks for all the advice.

    I had a look at what's out there and in the end went for a Sieg SC4 lathe, as a. it was in stock and b. whilst not as sturdy or precise as some of the bigger/more traditional makes and models does have some nice features i.e. T-Slotted cross feed/carriage etc.

    It arrived yesterday and after bribing the wife and daughter to help lift it onto its stand (would not recommend this as its junk, but fixable and was available) I did a quick and dirty setup and started on my first piece. Not having used a lathe since I was at school (iirc Blondie or The Police were in the charts back then ;) ) I quickly got down to feeds and speeds - isn't it always?......

    After a bit of digging about I grabbed some formulae from Wikipedia and came up with the attached spreadsheet and so far it has worked OK, but would like a second opinion if anyone has the knowledge and/or time and feedback if I've made a cockup. It maybe useful for someone else......

    Off to start my second part and hopefully I'll see the results on a GT racing car in future, which is where all the CNC and engineering stuff is going towards :)

    Later


    Chris
    Attached Files Attached Files

  9. #9
    Hi washout
    Congrats on your new purchase, just had a quick look to see what you had bought and it is similar to my Elliot Emcomat 7,but seems better in the saddle department, i believe there is no dedicated drive shaft on the machine(mine's the same) so i would not take too much notice of of the feeds ect, what i have been doing over the years is using the rack and pinion to traverse the sadlde(while rough cutting ) and only engaging the leadscrew for the finishing cut,this way it cuts down wear on the leadscrew and nut,Copious amounts of oil applied to the length on the leadscrew you will be using, this will mean you can manufacture a half decent screw thread if you need to, whatever happens the leadscrew is going to wear nearer the chuck end of the bed, but i have had mine in service for thirty odd years and its still performing well, using the rack and pinion for feeding you can get a better feel for how the material is cutting.
    Hope that helps
    Regards
    Mike

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Board and Motors package - opinions sought
    By cropwell in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-05-2014, 10:33 AM
  2. Bench lathe -opinions sought
    By cropwell in forum Lathes, Lathe Rebuilding & Conversions
    Replies: 44
    Last Post: 14-03-2014, 06:32 AM
  3. Z-Plunge advice sought...
    By Wal in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 17-11-2013, 01:43 PM
  4. part time internship sought
    By nobby in forum Opportunities Available & Sought
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 30-06-2013, 02:37 PM
  5. Help and Advice sought about new motor for my mill
    By alanb in forum Milling Machines, Builds & Conversions
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 26-01-2012, 08:04 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •