Bugger!!!!

[artme]

Had my heart set on a steelmaster 0920V or 0816 lathe. Made direct inquiry to Asset Machinery by phone and they have stopped importing these models due to uneven performance and quality.

What now?

I want a variable speed lathe of about that size. The nearest I can get here is a Sieg C2 from Hare and Forbes. It has variable speed but is a bit small.

[Stustoys]

You could try Applied Machinery

MACHTECH TURNER 280 X 700V (http://www.appliedmachinery.com.au/machinery/93501/machtech-lathe-turner-280-x-700v)

Little bigger than what you were looking at but they might have something smaller. Not sure they delivery to Brasil though.

Stuart

[Big Shed]

Arthur, that is bad news on the SM920V front:(

AFAIK, the only other variable speed lathes in that size range are the Sieg C4 and the Sieg C6, both sold by Carbatec.

Carba-Tec® C4 Metalworking Lathe : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-c4-metalworking-lathe_c19802)

Carba-Tec® C6 Metalworking Lathe : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-c6-metalworking-lathe_c2461)

I really think that a C2 would be too small, a C3 gives a few more inches between centres.

Carba-Tec® C3 Metalworking Lathe : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-c3-metalworking-lathe_c2462)

The other option would be a standard 9x20 from H&F and convert it to variable speed by replacing the motor with a 3phase motor and a VFD, like this guy has done.

Lathe DRO and Speed Controller (http://www.franksworkshop.com.au/Workshop/LatheDro/lathedro.htm)

I actually bought his DRO setup from him, including the 3 phase motor and the VFD. I'm not using the motor/VFD at present as I already have EVS, but keeping it as a backup in case the EVS stops working.

Or you could really lash out and buy a C6 lathe converted to CNC

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f223/syil-c6-cnc-lathe-152509/

[snowyskiesau]

I've got an older C6, not variable speed. It's a good, solid, reliable machine but changing speed by moving the belts is a real pain.

[Big Shed]

Asset are still listing the SM920V on machines4u

New Steelmaster Lathe for sale - SM 0920V VARI SPEED BEST PRICES, 996 (http://www.machines4u.com.au/view/advert/SM-0920V-VARI-SPEED-BEST-PRICES/996/)

[Stustoys]

Asset are still listing the SM920V on machines4u

Maybe, but would you want one if even the supplier admits to having "stopped importing these models due to uneven performance and quality"?

[Big Shed]

Maybe, but would you want one if even the supplier admits to having "stopped importing these models due to uneven performance and quality"?

Well, I've got one and have had no problems for the last 3 odd years, so my answer would be yes.

I would guess that their decision not to import these smaller machines has more to do with the market they operate in (quite large machines for industry) and they are not really set up to sell to the hobby type user.

But of course I could be wrong, it's been known to happen.

[Dave J]

Titan have a range of lathes as well.
Titan Machinery - METAL LATHES (http://titanmachinery.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=7&Itemid=66)

Dave

[Stustoys]

I would guess that their decision not to import these smaller machines has more to do with the market they operate in (quite large machines for industry) and they are not really set up to sell to the hobby type user.
Yes and of course there is nothing to say the the lathes around the same size from other suppliers didnt come from the same factory anyway. I didnt mean to apply there was anything wrong with the lathes, I just wonder how you'll get on in a year when you had a problem and they say "we dont carry those anymore". Still, certain other suppliers have been less than forth coming with a replacement cap on a lathe that was a few weeks(?) old............

I would guess there are more tyre kicking in the hobby market?

Stuart

[wheelinround]

What goods a lathe to you when your floating about in Brasil :roll: for starters it will get rusty, you'll need a long water proof ext-lead.

[Dave J]

LOL, I saw that as well, but took it as he is looking for one when he arrives home.

Dave

[Big Shed]

Yes and of course there is nothing to say the the lathes around the same size from other suppliers didnt come from the same factory anyway. I didnt mean to apply there was anything wrong with the lathes, I just wonder how you'll get on in a year when you had a problem and they say "we dont carry those anymore". Still, certain other suppliers have been less than forth coming with a replacement cap on a lathe that was a few weeks(?) old............

I would guess there are more tyre kicking in the hobby market?

Stuart

Agree Stu, there is no guarantee of parts etc with any of the suppliers of any of the Chinese (or indeed machines from other countries, including Australia). I guess it is pot luck. The number of people complaining on o/s forums about non-availability of parts from Grizzly shows it doesn't apply only in Oz either.

All I can say is that Asset Plant has given me good service and going on a few experiences posted here by other people that have bought this lathe, they do stand behind their product.


Titan have a range of lathes as well.
Titan Machinery - METAL LATHES (http://titanmachinery.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=7&Itemid=66)

Dave

Had a look at that link Dave and they have an equivalent to the 8x16 EVS, their TL210V, and a close equivalent to the SM920V, their TL250V.

The TL250V is slightly larger, has a 26mm spindle bore with MT4 and a camlock type chuck mount rather than the screw mount on most 9x20 lathes.

[snowyskiesau]

Sorry if this one is OT but there's a great deal on the Machinery For Sale forum (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f223/new-sieg-m6-c6-m6ma-combination-aka-al-60m-153496/).
C6 lathe (not variable speed) and an X2 mill all for only $1200.
If I was still in Sydney, I'd buy it as spares for mine. :((

[Dave J]

Hi Fred,
He has been going for a few years now, and I found him via ebay and bought a Kurt clone vise off him 4-5 years ago.He seems to be a fair guy, but like all them they are only in it for the money.
His first lot of machines where odd ball sizes with things like R8 tapers mechanical power feeds, etc on the large mills instead of NT30-40. From what I saw today he doesn't have any big mills any more.
His prices seem to be around everyone else's and I am not sure how much he would move on them if you bought a few things from him.

Dave

[artme]

Thanks for the replies Fellas!!

Been meaning to change things. I'm back in Aus. now and we are relocating to Hervey Bay at the end of this month.

Need to find some turners up there, both wood and metal .

Fred - I'm glad I rang Asset before I dived in. I had previously rung Shaw Machinery at Clontarf and they were out of stock becaus they couldn't get the machines. I asked if they knew of Asset, their reply was that Asset were there suppliers. That's when I rang Asset.

I also spoke to John (Gawdelpus) who has been working with Neil ( Dai Sensei ) and told him the news. He told me there were some minor problems with Neil's machine ( Not an EVS ) when engaging low gear.

There is enough evidence for this risk averse soul not to venture further.

[Dave J]

If you can fit it, keep your eye out for a 300 x 900mm lathe second hand. It is something that lasts most guys a life time, instead of stepping up when you grow out of the smaller ones and have the advantage of power feeds on both axis's.
Also in the end it will save some a lot of money in not only stepping up to something larger with more features, but the tooling change over as well.

Dave

[mardtrp]

Arthur, that is bad news on the SM920V front:(

AFAIK, the only other variable speed lathes in that size range are the Sieg C4 and the Sieg C6, both sold by Carbatec.

Carba-Tec® C4 Metalworking Lathe : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-c4-metalworking-lathe_c19802)





Are you really serious about sending somebody to Carbatec for that lathe, when the same thing, is being sold at Hare and Forbes for about 400 smackers cheaper ?

Both these merchants, are only re-selling a Seig lathe made in China, so why so much dearer with one mob than the other, real easy answer, Carbatec are RIPPING you off.

Check around ALL the different places for a chinese lathe and pick the absolute cheapest you can find, this will now allow you to buy quite a bit of tooling for the lathe, it aint rocket science, now is it.

Mark Trapp

[mardtrp]

I do think it's about time that a lot of persons on here, should really check out this site, and take in what is in there.

Now have a real good look at any one of these machines and then imagine them in any other colour, other than red, and with different brand names just stuck on them as well.

Bingo, all from the same factory/factories in China, and ALL made to the same drawings.

Better believe it, eh.

Mark Trapp


http://www.siegind.com/products.html

[Big Shed]

Are you really serious about sending somebody to Carbatec for that lathe, when the same thing, is being sold at Hare and Forbes for about 400 smackers cheaper ?

Both these merchants, are only re-selling a Seig lathe made in China, so why so much dearer with one mob than the other, real easy answer, Carbatec are RIPPING you off.

Check around ALL the different places for a chinese lathe and pick the absolute cheapest you can find, this will now allow you to buy quite a bit of tooling for the lathe, it aint rocket science, now is it.

Mark Trapp

Well Mr Trapp, perhaps you would like to put up a link to the Sieg C4 that Hare and Forbes sells?

I am aware that H&F sells the C6 as their AL60, but I have never seen the C4 there, but perhaps you can point it out on their website?

Apart from that, I wasn't trying to find the cheapest deal for artme, merely pointing out the alternatives that are around in lathes of that size.

As to why one merchant charges more than another, that is a totally different subject and could make a thread all its' own, perhaps you should start one?

[Big Shed]

I do think it's about time that a lot of persons on here, should really check out this site, and take in what is in there.

Now have a real good look at any one of these machines and then imagine them in any other colour, other than red, and with different brand names just stuck on them as well.

Bingo, all from the same factory/factories in China, and ALL made to the same drawings.

Better believe it, eh.

Mark Trapp


商�展示 (http://www.siegind.com/products.html)

That is really earth shattering news, and here I was thinking they were all made by different factories in Australia.

Learn something every day:doh:

[Dave J]

Mark,
I am not sure if it's just the way the message came across, but it really came across in a condescending attitude sort of way to members here.

We are all a friendly bunch of guys here, and when someone comes along we help out as much as we can. Not everyone is up on internet or forums and who knows this maybe there first forum that they have asked a question on, so we don't want to be chasing them away with replies that come across like you have done above.

Dave

[Ueee]

+1

Like Bigshed, i can't find the C4 on the H&F site. Also, depending on the importer, the machines could be finished off to a better/cheaper standard.

Back to Artme's problem, i would highly suggest (like i'm sure someone else did in this thread but now i can't find the post) you look at a slightly larger 2nd hand machine. My experience with my HM50 has put me off H&F machines for life......