Anyone know about these lathes?

[oz94]

Hi does anyone have either of these lathes? If so how do you find them?

Also I can call up, but before I bother does anyone have more tech specs for the first lathe, specifically swing and TPI threads that can be cut?

I am still thinking about going for a 26 rather than 20mm spindle.

http://machinerydisposals.com/page9.php?view=productPage&product=367&category=16

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/381055972933?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Thanks

[Michael G]

The Ozmestore machine has a bottom speed of only 125rpm. I think you will find that a bit fast for trying to cut threads unless they are fine pitch.

Michael

[simonl]

While I dont have this model, I do have an older style Ozmestore 12x36 lathe. It has a norton style gearbox and does both metric and imperial threads. The manual says it has an imperial 8tpi leadscrew but closer inspection/measurement revealed it got a metric 3mm pitch leadscrew!

It has all the required gears for doing both metric and imperial. Apart from the usual cleaning requirements after purchase, its been quite a good machine.

Maybe I was lucky?

Simon

[KBs PensNmore]

Just a warning, stay away from ozmestore, no back up service, spare parts are robbed from another machine. I've got the 7x12 and had to wait about 8 months for a motor, I had to contact them every couple of weeks to find out what was going on!!!!! :(( Also have a small mill, needed a circuit board, robbed one out of a machine, different did not fit, can get one from China $200, another 600 I can get new machine.:? Would I buy a machine from them, NO BL**^DY WAY.
Kryn

[simonl]

I agree with the above comments however when it comes to Chinese machinery, just because you have inspected one (being the mdel you wish to buy) doesn't mean the actual machine you get will be the same as the ond you inspected. As everyone knows quality control really is hit and miss. iMO inspecting one of these machines will give you no idea of quality (in the machine you ultimately get) but will give you an indication of the basic design and functions.

So, when my Dad bought the lathe (sight unseen) from Ozmestore he wasn't really taking any more of a risk regarding quality than buying from a store. Of course if you take home the machine that you actually inspect then thats different, but how often does that happen?

After sales service is another matter of course!

Simon

[KBs PensNmore]

I've bought a few small items from ozmestore without any problems, if I remember correctly I've heard a few horror stories similar to yours. Not being able to see what your buying is the biggest turn off, no idea of quality. How goes it with your machine, still waiting?

Buying small stuff, I'd deal with them, only because it's cheap, but I'd never buy a machine from them. I finally got the motor, about 3 weeks ago, but have been too busy to fit it.
Kryn

[cba_melbourne]

............. just because you have inspected one (being the mdel you wish to buy) doesn't mean the actual machine you get will be the same as the ond you inspected. As everyone knows quality control really is hit and miss. iMO inspecting one of these machines will give you no idea of quality (in the machine you ultimately get) but will give you an indication of the basic design and functions..........
Simon

Nothing beats inspecting the machine you ultimately buy. Even better if you could see it working... Sometimes you can actually buy the demo model if you ask. The dealer has an interest in selling it before it becomes last years model or before it shows too much wear/surface rust from too many curious fingers. But watch out, sometime the demo model is the one that is stripped first to remove a spare part. Then that part gets replaced by one from a machine still in the box. Bad luck, if the spare part in question was one that needed to be adjusted during assembly. You may end up with say a tailstock of completely off center height.

But even if inspecting one machine and then buying one still in the crate makes a lot of sense. The machine in the showroom comes from the same factory and (hopefully) the same order lot. You need to know that often several factories manufacture the almost identical machine make and model, but the fit and finish can be very different. Sometimes the cheaper factory used castings previously rejected either from the foundry itself or from the dearer factory (think of a casting defect that only becomes apparent once the bedways are rough machined..). Different factories in China manufacturing the same machine often show subtle small differences, they may use different price class motors or/and switchgear, different price class bearings etc.

One example that maybe illustrates what I mean: About 10 Years ago I was shopping around to buy a new hobby mill in the $2k range. I travel a lot for my job, so I even visited sellers in Brisbane (minitech) and Adelaide. Back then I was also considering the famous Rong-Fu type mill drill. At Hare&Forbes near Clayton I had the chance to compare in the showroom side by side a genuine Taiwan made Rong-Fu, and a near identical mainland China copy. Boy, that was a HUGE difference in finish quality, visible from 2m away, and much more so close-up. Had I not had the chance to see them life side by side, I would have thought they are about the same - which they are definitely not. I also took pics from the X3 mills sold By Minitech and H&F.... and found out Minitech was selling several variations, one with long table option... one with taller column.... with R8 and MT3 spindle... metric and imperial... all the same X3 mill but Minitech had all the possible options in the showroom. I finally bought an X3 for H&F, they had only one model but much cheaper and no freight cost, and I was satisfied the quality was for all X3's out there exactly the same as they all came from the Sieg factory.

[oz94]

Hi anyone know much about this lathe?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/somerton-park/miscellaneous-goods/precision-lathe-by-demco-geared-head-stock/1064000263

does anyone have one, if so can you please comment on build quality, pros cons, reliability and second hand value.

Thanks

[PDW]

Hi anyone know much about this lathe?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/somerton-park/miscellaneous-goods/precision-lathe-by-demco-geared-head-stock/1064000263

does anyone have one, if so can you please comment on build quality, pros cons, reliability and second hand value.

Thanks

Looks like a generic Taiwanese lathe of the 80's to 90's. Could be Chinese. Definitely worth an inspection.

The photo is too bad to tell much, it might be camlock which would be a plus and also, if a Taiwanese machine, some indicator of better quality.

At that price, definitely well worth a look and hopefully see it under power.

PDW

[oz94]

I can't really find much about Demco on Google. without calling the guy I can't even identify the model!

[Michael G]

Not 100% sure but I think Demco were more a distributor than maker. As Peter suggests probably a Chinese or Taiwanese machine. Reminds me of the Dai-shin I used to have so possibly the later.
Personally I'd be having a look at it and if it runs grabbing it as it seems to be well tooled and featured. As you get used to it and take it apart to clean etc you will learn more about it too.

Michael

[cba_melbourne]

Hi anyone know much about this lathe?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/somerton-park/miscellaneous-goods/precision-lathe-by-demco-geared-head-stock/1064000263

does anyone have one, if so can you please comment on build quality, pros cons, reliability and second hand value.

Thanks

I believe it was sold as the "Demco Record 1122". Looks like Taiwanese to me.

[simonl]

I have seen Demco branded surface grinders and T&C grinders on gumtree from time to time. Like Michael says, maybe more a distributor than a maker but I get the impression that the tools they put their name to were not "rubbish"

I'd be looking at it. Biggest issue for you will be any potential wear or damage, not the quality as such.

Simon

[PDW]

Not 100% sure but I think Demco were more a distributor than maker.

This is the case. Demco imported stuff from the old SovBloc as well as from Asia. They didn't manufacture anything AFAIK but their imports were pretty good.

A second look at the poor photo leads me to be pretty sure that it is a D1-4 spindle in which case, at that price I'd be grabbing it. Assuming a visual inspection doesn't show the ways are scored & buggered beyond use of course. Running it under power would be ideal in which case spin it up in all speeds and try at least a selection of power feeds to see if there are any horrible noises.

There will be zero parts available but that's pretty much situation normal for most machines these days so I wouldn't worry about it. Just factor it in if there's anything that looks worn or suspect so you have a plan. If it's in fair condition that would be a good lathe for someone starting out - it's big enough to do real work without being huge and there's a ton of tooling out there that will bolt straight on - quick change tool posts, chucks, etc etc all readily available.

PDW