Right Kit

[Tony]

Not sure whether this point/ question deserves a thread but:

My dad who was a mechanical engineer by trade always said to me, "get the best tools that you can afford". Me, as a sales person, didn't really pay it much attention. I brought a cheap tap and die set and have been 'blowing' the thread 5 in every 6 attempts to cut a thread. I have put that down to inexperience. Having finally figured out what dies I need, I brought 4 good quality ones and, yep, turns out it wasn't me so much as blunt dies.

Anyway, on the subject of right kit for the job. I have been mulling over moving from my wood lathe - Record power DML320 (which I love) to a metal lathe. I have had a good look through previous threads, and don't want to cover old ground, but am interested in what the general view is on a move to a £500 metal lathe for creating bespoke pens.

Good investment or a wood lathe can achieve all that is needed?

 

[wm460]

Buy a lathe big as possible, I bought a 9 X 20, some many times I needed on a bit bigger.

 

[Phil Dart]

The major advantage of an engineering lathe over a wood lathe for your purposes, is accuracy and repeatability. You don't need the engineering lathe, but turning with hand tools on a wood lathe is far more hit and miss on a micro level than with controlled tool holders on an engineering lathe. Do-able on either, but better tolerances on the finished article with the latter.

 

[Penpal]

I have both and I believe they serve their purposes well. I also support the excellence in metal lathe accuracy from time to time and the independance it brings for bushes etc.

Peter.

 

[Tony]

Pete, Phil, Mark, thanks for your replies, very helpful - Metal lathe it is.

(Though not sure whether distributors are making deliveries just now, things as they are) so may need to wait.

 

[wm460]

Keep an eye on gumtree and ebay etc.
Quite often bargains comes up.

 

[Tony]

Good point Mark, short term, so long as they deliver, failing that I'll waiting until the country gets up and running again.

It's amazing to see lathes on ebay manufactured at the start of the 20th century still in circulation. Guess they made them well then....

 

[wm460]

Got bored wait so had a look on gumtree UK

Metal lathes for sale for Sale | Gumtree


This one looks good, heap of tooling with it.

MyfordML7 Metal work Lathe | in Stirling | Gumtree

 

[wm460]

Another lathe you could look for is the Boxford, UK made.
They were based on the design of the American South Bend Lathe, like the Hercus.

 

[Tony]

Thanks Mark - the Myford ML7 looks lovely..... I will give them a call.

 

[Penpal]

TYe Myford looks like a gift at that price to me.

Peter.

 

[Druthman]

I am a model engineer and a convert to pen making so I have three lathes. A Myford 265, a Jet wood turning lathe and a Axminster pen turning lathe. What I would say is that you should go for the best metal turning lathe that your budget can stretch too and avoid the Chinese rubbish that’s cheap but really inferior. Better to go for a second hand Myford, Boxford or similar that may have a bit of wear but can easily be adjusted to turn accurately and repeatedly. Just my thoughts, good luck in your search.

 

[Penpal]

1966 Hercus serves me wonderfully,bought 2nd hand before the year 2000. I use it most days for a whole variety of needs and wishes.

Peter.