Hi all... New guy looking form some advice..

[Jim2110]

Hi all,
I'm looking to get into turning pens and other smaller items, so I will be using blanks and also 1/4 inch Stainless steel. I'm looking at metalworking lathes and have my eye on a few so I'd like some advice please .
The choices I have is an Emco compact 5, a compact 8, a Clarke CL500M, Hobbymat M65, or the super mini lathe from Warco.
I'm looking for variable speed, screw turning, precision ... I'm not completely new to lathe work but I am a novice to smaller items, so any assistance and advice welcome..

Thanks
Jim

 

[Vic Perrin]

Hi Jim and welcome to the forum. You will be able to get tons of sound advice on here there are some great guys who will soon respond to any question you may have. The banter is also great fun

 

[Buckeye]

I have the compact 8 and it's superb, it's not variable speed apart from via pully and belt, but it's a class machine.

Peter

 

[TaylorsMirfield.co.uk]

Welcome Jim

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[paulm]

Welcome Jim, there are people on here with metal turning lathes and the knowledge on how to use them and I'm sure you'll get no end of advice from them

 

[billyb_imp]

Hi Jim & welcome to the forum, I'm sure someone will be along shortly with some advice on your dilemma

 

[chas_41_uk]

Welcome to the asylum Jim. Lots of useful advice on here (and occasionally some that isn't)

 

[AllenN]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. Sorry I cannot help on the metal lathe but I am sure others will.

 

[Jim]

I have a S4 from Axminster Jim, only done a few things with it at the moment but it seems ok ..

 

[wm460]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum.
I have a 9 X 20 and always wishing I went to a larger size.

 

[Penpal]

Welcome Jim from over here you have been a bit vague as to how 1/4 inch stainless comes into your need etc. I would scour the many forums devoted to these lathes bearing in mind a larger lathe as Mark has observed is in the long run more versatile. Look carefully at the projection from the head stock and the tail stock of items such as live centres drill chucks mandrels, mandrel savers spacers etc to get a clear picture of two thins the height over the bed and the actual length between centres you will end up being able to use. If you can visit dealers and see for yourself it helps, bear in mind the accessability of winders and tool holders and how large or small your hands are, will you stand to turn or sit, what space do you have enlist the help from customers who have bought them view them kick it round with them. I sit from choice turn wood and stand at my metal lathe. An example with my metal lathe I thought I had plenty of clearance at the outside of the head stock one bar used to house collets is quite long so I cut a hole and framed it in the wood wall sometimes this could be an outside brick wall then what. I have had a ball in my workshop over a long time now I regret the distance between us so I have taken this oportunity to suggest but a few considerations you have you have prompted me to look up where chesterfield is there may be members near you you can have a yarn with, happy hunting.

Peter.

 

[Buckeye]

I have a S4 from Axminster Jim, only done a few things with it at the moment but it seems ok ..

Did you get rid of the V10?

Peter

 

[Grump]

They all do the job some for longer and better than others.
I have a small Chinese thing which works but I would love a Myford ML7 if I have the room for it.

 

[Lons]

Welcome aboard Jim

I can't help with your lathe choices, mine is a little watchmakers Cowell 90ME which I love. i had the chance to buy an old, well looked after Myford ML7 and a milling machine a couple of years ago and really regret not taking it as it went for a song. I did buy his Meddings drill press though.

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Jim - welcome aboard. No experience myself in metalwork lathes, but I have no doubt you'll get some helpful advice from plenty of other members.

 

[Penpal]

Jim I did a Google it says you are close on 50 miles from York that places you in touch easily with a lot of members including Brian ask around, visit.

Peter.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Welcome Jim. Sorry I can't help you with advice on what's available. I use an Elliott unimat lathe which I've had since 1972 & is still going strong. It is great for small jobs as it converts into a pillar drill & milling table. It has speeds from approx 200 - 6000 rpm.

 

[Jim2110]

Welcome Jim. Sorry I can't help you with advice on what's available. I use an Elliott unimat lathe which I've had since 1972 & is still going strong. It is great for small jobs as it converts into a pillar drill & milling table. It has speeds from approx 200 - 6000 rpm.

Is that the 6-1 Unimat Bill? I thought that looked a bit less robust than others..?

Thanks for the kind words all. I'm finding more I could be using - Myford 7, Boxford of some type....
Just more to be reading I suppose!!