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Thread: Advise on a Lathe Upgrade
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16th August 2012, 02:58 PM #16GOLD MEMBER
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16th August 2012, 03:14 PM #17Banned
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Well now, I am confused: Robert4wd asked which lathe would members of this forum suggest to build a 5" gauge loco. Everyone here has suggested a lathe, along with their pros and cons, I believe that is exactly what Robert4wd asked for. I can't find anywhere in his original post asking what gauge or type of loco to build, please feel free to tell me if I am wrong and a silly old fool to boot?
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16th August 2012, 03:51 PM #18Cba
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Myford, Wabeco, Emco, Prazimat, Ceriani.... these lathes were and are so popular in Europe because of their small size and LIGHT WEIGHT. If you lived in an apartment on the 5th floor, you could not haul up anything heavier than a 7" Myford or an 8" Emco. Also you could not run anything more powerful in your spare bedroom without risking being lynched by your neighbours below and above. In Europe most people rent, its not like here where most people own a house with Garage and a quarter acre. The Myford 7" is about the very largest lathe suitable for these conditions. And being a gap bed, it can handle flywheels of up to 10" diameter. Not bad for a lathe weighing some 80kg net. The Emco 8" weight is only about 45kg net, compared to the AL-50A from Hare&Forbes which is a clone of the Emco but made in China and twice as heavy and still less rigid....
Also consider this: for no other lathe than Myford has been that many articles written, that many accessories be designed and described how to build, and that many models were designed to be built on it.
To the OP: if you are not restricted by size and weight, go larger. A used 9 or 10" machine like a Hercus in good condition is a fine choice for what you want to do and for your budget. Remember the tools can quickly cost again as much as the lathe.
If you prefer a new Chinese lathe, I would recommend a 10" and bigger models. All Chinese lathes below 10" swing require far too much work to become really useful. If you plan on building a loco, you may not want to spnd the first 100 hours fixing a lathe.
But you already have a minilathe. Then there is no hurry. You can wait until your dream lathe pops up on eBay or elsewhere. Maybe a Myford, maybe an Emcomat, maybe a Hercus 260, maybe an 11" or 13" Chinese lathe, these would all make fine machines for you. Research the market and the prices, so you can spot a bargain when it pops up. Meantime many parts of your loco can be made on your existing minilathe. Chris
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16th August 2012, 06:05 PM #19GOLD MEMBER
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Those numbers represent wheel configuration for locomotives,the 1st lot are leading wheels,the 2nd driven/driving wheels and the 3rd are the following/trailing wheels,in this case there are no front or rear wheels just the drivers/traction sets.
I wouldnt worry about someone talking about different classes of model loco in this thread,it may have nothing to do with the initial post but thats par for the course with this forum.
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16th August 2012, 07:50 PM #204-6-4
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Lathes
Greetings Chaps. Roberts first post did mention a 5 Inch gauge loco. I suggested Sweat Pea because it is a manageable loco on a smaller lathe. Yes it was a Typo its an 0-4-0 with Hackworth valve gear. As steam locos go its at the simplest end of the range. They are a joy to drive and to play with. Yours 4-6-4
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16th August 2012, 11:24 PM #214-6-4
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Lathes
Dear Robert, furhtur to the above Drawings and castings for Sweet pea are available from Wayne Roberts Model Engineering Supply .au He is a Member at the Tullamarine Club.The price of a full set of drawings is $100.00 I did not go through the castings but they all seem to be there. One drama is the tube for the boiler and firebox but they could be rolled and but strapped under the guidance of a club boiler inspector.
Hope this is of help 4-6-4
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17th August 2012, 11:45 AM #22SENIOR MEMBER
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this is currently on ebay
McMillan V Bed Lathe 600mm centres, 140mm centre height, 25mm hollow spindle | eBay
these are not a bad machine. I have almost the same as this.
this one might be worth a look but it appears to have a bit of "flight rust" on it. I think he's asking a bit much for it in the apparent condition its in though. Not that far from you.
Metal Lathe | eBay
hercus 260 - its either been repainted or never been used
Hercus 260 Metal Lathe | eBay
bollie7
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17th August 2012, 03:01 PM #23future machinist
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I have a MC millan lathe I like it and its a very capable lathe but one thing I really hate about it is the duel imperial and metric hand wheels. If I was buying a new lathe I would look at one like this.
Lathe - Castle Hill - NSW - $ 1,700.00BETTER TO HAVE TOOLS YOU DON'T NEED THAN TO NEED TOOLS YOU DON'T HAVE
Andre
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17th August 2012, 05:08 PM #24SENIOR MEMBER
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Despite the fact that I would happily defend a chinese lathe (I have one and it is superb) I think the best advice in this thread is to buy a second hand one of your preferred ethnicity. $2000 will get you an excellent second hand machine which probably will have all the features my machine has at a third of the price (mine is an AL340D).
I would be looking for something with...
1) quick change gearbox. I couldnt stand the thought of having to change gears every time I want a new feed rate
2) large spindle bore so you can feed decent stock straight down the cuts
3) mass - but not so much you need a forklift to move it around. Mine can be handled with an engine lift.
If you snare a bargain and get something that suits the ticket for $1500 I would be spending the remaining $500 on a DRO. I dont think I could ever go back to machining without one....i absolutely love mine.
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21st August 2012, 09:03 PM #25Novice
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Thanks Everyone
Thanks everyone for your advise.
I received the plans for my dream model today a C38 4-6-2 Streamlined. They are somewhat of a reality check. Its much more complicated than anything I have attempted and frankly beyond my present skill level. I am going to take the advise of 4-6-4 and join a club. I plan to visit several in the Sydney area. I hope they will mentor me to build something simplier such as the sweet pea or something similar. I am prepared to give back in any way I can.
On the lathe upgrade I am going to look second hand and see if I can get at least basic tooling included. I can see the point about Hercus, etc but I also feel that the chinese type will also do my job admittedly with tuning but probably wont have the same life span servicing multiple owners. I will be advertising my present lathe on the forum once I have a new one set-up. I'll make sure I send a PM to the guy that expressed an interest in its future.
Once again thanks the advise it is much appreciated
Regards
Robert
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