Thread: Lathe Buying Advice - C6 vs AL250G

The V version is electronic variable speed, ie you turn a knob to change speeds without stopping the lathe, the A version has 6 speeds selected by stopping the lathe, changing a belt to different pulleys and starting the lathe again.

The 1022 has a geared head and you change speeds by stopping the lathe, selecting a new speed by setting 2 dials and starting the lathe again.

The SM-920a is the same design lathe as the AL-50g from H&F only $200 more, there may be minor differences but essentially they the same. The SM-920a and the AL-50g are commonly referred to as 9x20 lathes and are extremely popular, there are a plethora of sites dedicated to the 9x20 with good info on mods to improve them, including installing variable speed drives, They are an extremely good lathe and very good value for the money. Google 9x20 lathe and you'll see what I mean, Steve Bedair has an excellent 9x20 site. You can also google the Hafco site for info on the AL50g.

Originally Posted by oohsam

Thansk Fred,
I just got of the phone to asset plant.
They no longer offer the 920V hence why there is no price there, They have the 920A, diffidence being is that it is no longer variable speed. (I dont know exactly what they are talking about that is variable to be honest...as you can still adjust the spindle speed...or am i wrong?)

SM-0920A. Bench Lathe. Steelmaster. Norton Quick Box. 500mm Centres, 230mm Swing, 21mm Bore, - Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery Online | Asset Plant & Machinery

This looks like the exact requirements that I want in a lathe, however, I noticed they have a model up which not only has the power cross feed, but also has the power feed on the face....
It is a slightly larger lathe though, so I'll have to take some measurements tonight and see which one I should go for.

SM-1022A. Bench Lathe. Steelmaster. 550mm Centres, 250mm Swing, Pwr Cross Feed. - Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery Online | Asset Plant & Machinery

So I'll toss up between these two. Very glad you informed me of these, as I had not even seen them, they basically have everything that I want in a lathe...very happy.
They have no stock at the moment but will be getting some in within a week or two, which suits me fine.

Cheers
Sam

Good luck with your decision. I'm excited for you! Nothing more exciting than purchasing a new machine and a new lathe would have to be the most exciting machine to purchase when starting out!

Simon

Originally Posted by th62

The SM-920a is the same design lathe as the AL-50g from H&F only $200 more, there may be minor differences but essentially they the same. The SM-920a and the AL-50g are commonly referred to as 9x20 lathes and are extremely popular, there are a plethora of sites dedicated to the 9x20 with good info on mods to improve them, including installing variable speed drives, They are an extremely good lathe and very good value for the money. Google 9x20 lathe and you'll see what I mean, Steve Bedair has an excellent 9x20 site. You can also google the Hafco site for info on the AL50g.

Yes, the H&F AL-50G ($1155) is very similar to the Steelmaster SM-920A ($1204.50), but it is $50 cheaper not $200. The AL-50G has a 3/4hp motor the SM-920A has a 1hp motor. The biggest difference is that the SM-920A has a cam lock tail stock, the AL-50G has a fiddly nut for which you need a spanner every time you need to slide the tail stock. I do a lot of drilling on the lathe and this feature alone is worth the extra $50 to me.

At the time, the Steelmaster was a better finished lathe than the AL-50G, but that was a few years ago and this may have changed. I also received much better pre-sale service at Asset than at H&F which at the time had a tendency to treat you like a moron if you weren't obviously a tradie.

But the biggest deciding factor for me was the EVS, I wouldn't be without it. Nowadays with the plethora of cheap VFDs that isn't such a big deal as it would be relatively simple to convert either of these lathes to EVS with a VFD for less than $150. I actually have a Hitachi VFD and 1hp 3phase motor sitting in the wings, it came with the DRO setup I purchased, so if the EVS ever decides to spit the dummy then that will be installed.

I can also recommend the Steve Bedair site fas a good source of knowledge for these lathes and there are some other good sites as well, from which I have learned a lot.

Big Shed, does the SM-920a have the same skinny drive belt as the AL-50g. That was the only feature I found annoying.

Hi

The other option you might consider would be a Myford 7 or even better , a Super 7 . The spares backup available for these lathes is unsurpassed . Problem is, the Myfords are always ridiculously overpriced here in OZ .

The roller bearing headstock Sheraton 9 lathes do turn up on ebay now and then, these are nice machines from the Hercus-Southbend family .

Originally Posted by th62

Big Shed, does the SM-920a have the same skinny drive belt as the AL-50g. That was the only feature I found annoying.

I am assuming so, but of course as mine has EVS I don't really have to handle the belt at all

Originally Posted by morrisman

Hi

The other option you might consider would be a Myford 7 or even better , a Super 7 . The spares backup available for these lathes is unsurpassed . Problem is, the Myfords are always ridiculously overpriced here in OZ .

The roller bearing headstock Sheraton 9 lathes do turn up on ebay now and then, these are nice machines from the Hercus-Southbend family .

As has been stated earlier in this thread, for a newcomer to buy one of these (now very) old lathes is rather daunting. It is hard to determine whether the lathe is in good condition and/or has been abused. As a high percentage of these lathes came from schools, abuse was always on the cards.

It is for these reasons that people such as the OP and myself tend to steer clear of them, especially as in most cases the amount of money to be outlaid is similar to buying a new Chinese lathe.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

As has been stated earlier in this thread, for a newcomer to buy one of these (now very) old lathes is rather daunting. It is hard to determine whether the lathe is in good condition and/or has been abused. As a high percentage of these lathes came from schools, abuse was always on the cards.

It is for these reasons that people such as the OP and myself tend to steer clear of them, especially as in most cases the amount of money to be outlaid is similar to buying a new Chinese lathe.

I tend to respectfully disagree . If one is contemplating using a lathe, then , even before you turn it on, you will need some basic mechanical skills and knowledge to begin with . Inspecting the bed of a used lathe for wear isn't that difficult a thing to do . Most times, you can see the wear ridges on the bed ways quite easily .

Mike

Originally Posted by morrisman

I tend to respectfully disagree . If one is contemplating using a lathe, then , even before you turn it on, you will need some basic mechanical skills and knowledge to begin with . Inspecting the bed of a used lathe for wear isn't that difficult a thing to do . Most times, you can see the wear ridges on the bed ways quite easily .

Mike

Mike, are you suggesting that wear on the bed is all that could be wrong with one of these old lathes?

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Mike, are you suggesting that wear on the bed is all that could be wrong with one of these old lathes?

Hi Fred

The bed ways condition is the most important item to inspect . The headstock bearings , if they are the tapered roller type, will likely be quite OK .

I am just saying that there are many older lathes out there on the market that are still ( despite age ) very capable machines and they will be the equal of or better than most Asian made hobby lathes . Me, I would take a half worn out Colchester or Harrison over a new Asian hobby lathe any day of the week . But I am biased towards older machinery ............. Mike

Jeez Mike, Colchesters and Harrisons aren't quite Myfords/Hercus/Sheratons now are they.

I wouldn't mind a Colchester myself......................

But when I started on this journey it wouldn't have meant a thing to me.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Jeez Mike, Colchesters and Harrisons aren't quite Myfords/Hercus/Sheratons now are they.

Well, no.

I'd rather have a new Chinese geared head machine than any Hercus ever built, even if it was still brand new.... but my Chipmaster makes similar sized Chinese lathes look like kiddy toys.

PDW

Thanks so much for all the replies guys.

I've done much research and the decider for me now is either between the SM920 or the SM1022 from Asset Plant.

I like the idea of getting the 920 because it has a huge following and lots and lots of info about it on line, lots of modification details also which I like.
I do however like the idea of 1022 which has the advantage of the auto feed along the face, and the ability to do a reverse thread (which I may never use)....So I'm currently just jumping between the two.

It is true with these things, the more you look, the more you think "yeah I think I want that feature too" and constantly keep upgrading.

I've noticed that a few diff places also sell the same variant of the SM920, being the AL50G and another one I saw elsewhere which I cant remember. But the SM920 comes with a few features the AL50G doesn't come with..
Hopefully I'll be able to decide today and put a deposit down till it arrives.

Cheers Sam