Metal Working Lathe

[DanBlack]

Hello everybody, I live in the UK and I am looking to buy my first Lathe. I have a budget of about £2000 I would need the lathe to be able to produce fairly big work pieces (at least 50cm in length) and work with most metal materials. I am torn between buying an older second hand one which seem to be more rugged, or a newer Chinese based lathe. I'm interested to hear peoples experiences and what they would recommend as a good quality machine.

[IanParkin]

Hi Dan

I have a colchester student which generally has a centre height of 6.5 inches and 24 inches between centres (they are labelled as 6" but most are master CH )
It weighs 675kg and has a largeish footprint
You could get one for £1000 ish with 2 chucks steadys etc
leaveing you with £500 to buy tooling and accesories
You will get all that and more back if you ever sell it
Parts are easily available and reasonably priced (unless new)
Pleasure to use it...If you have the room you wont regret it

[DanBlack]

Thanks for replying is there a company that sells them? or am I looking for second hand one?

[Neale]

Definitely second-hand, but there are various dealers around that often list them (try Google!) or they sometimes turn up from private sellers. You will probably need to budget for a three-phase inverter if it's from a dealer as it will have come from a commercial workshop. Not a bad way to go, though.

[DanBlack]

That's a good idea I will keep a look out is there any makes you would highly recommend other than the Colchester?

[IanParkin]

The british makes you should look out for on ebay perhaps are colchester harrison boxford ...myfords might be too small for you unless a 254 but they are expensive
what do you want to turn? size wise
Do you want a bench mounted machine or free standing
is your floor good
is noise an issue
whats your power availability
or post a link to a chinese lathe you have been looking at