What Lathe to buy for £2200-00

[Blister]

It just so happens I have one of those for sale " a short bed Graduate , variable speed " :lol: :lol: :wink:

Go on then, how much would you hope. does it have single or double pulleys?

Pete

Pete , I don't HOPE , its 1K or it stays here :lol: it has inboard and outboard platforms , several face plates , tool rest tower , revolving centre tail stock tower , screw chuck , that's about it ,

And the variable speed conversion and motor is a ABB unit . I have the books for the conversion

PaulJ has first go as he has shown some interest

Have you looked at the ones on ebay , bits missing , not variable speed , only one platform etc and they are asking the same money :shock:

 

[paulm]

Stumbled upon this one earlier today

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Clients ... ances.html

They do look good and solid, no idea how they perform though. Vaguely recall they are quite short in height (although I am quite tall !) and might need raising on a plinth of some sort for some users.......

Cheers, Paul

 

[Paul.J]

Just in case anyone else is interested,it's too much for me.

 

[TEP]

That is one nice machine chisel, I can vouch for these machines I have used one a few times, and you don't move these lathes about, they are solid. That is also a reasonable price for it. It's only just a bit north of me and if I was in the market I would be up there, as soon as. Only thing is that with the available space I have I need a swivel head, so that puts me out of the market for one of these.

 

[cornucopia]

you could always save up for a vb36??
or vicmarc are very good, oneway are good (but seem to be a select taste!?!?! dont know why?) wivamac i'm hearing are good.

 

[big soft moose]

Have you looked at the ones on ebay , bits missing , not variable speed , only one platform etc and they are asking the same money :shock:

your not wrong there, i just saw one on "lathes.co.uk" which is roughly the same spec but 1600 notes

the only cheaper ones you see are generally three phase requiring conversion.

I'd like one (currently using an ax 950) but i can't afford it - me thinks i might look for a restoration project or summat

 

[davegw]

Sorry if the following phrase offends or appear sacrilegious - but after a certain point of cost are most lathes much of a muchness?

Lights the blue touch paper...... :twisted:

 

[big soft moose]

Sorry if the following phrase offends or appear sacrilegious - but after a certain point of cost are most lathes much of a muchness?

Lights the blue touch paper...... :twisted:

IMO you are dead right - however the point is quite a longway up the scale with heavy cast iron base units and plenty of power - which used to be Union vs Wadkin and other old pattern makers lathes until the advent of the VB36, Wivamac etc - the choice between this lot is pretty much personal preference unless your needs are very specialist

 

[paulm]

Think the bigger more expensive lathes all have their own character that differs between brands, so you choose whatever appeals and based on what is most important to you, but in terms of functionality I guess you're right that at the end of the day all they need to do is spin a piece of wood !!!

Cheers, Paul

 

[dickm]

at the end of the day all they need to do is spin a piece of wood !!!

Cheers, Paul

.....like you can do on a pole lathe for free (says the man who has just spent good money on a Mystro :? )

 

[boysie39]

Thanks to all, the general consensus seems to be that paying big money for a lathe dosent mean you've got the best .Mark Hancock suggested I should make a list of what I'm likley to want in a lathe and I've done that and of course he is right. As a matter of fact what I intend to do is get a good Midi lathe for half the money and spend the rest on a one week course in the UK. Providing the health stays good PG.
In the mean time you boys post plenty of photos for my inspiration, but be sure I can turn it on a Midi. REgards Boysie