Thread: 2 questions on new lathes

I would definitely buy the TL250V.

It has a quick change gearbox for the leadscrew - the other does not.

This is a major factor for anyone that uses a lathe continually. You don't want to be crawling along at one feed speed or frigging around with change gears

Also the variable spindle speed would be quite OK for what you intend to machine.

Power cross feeds are no big deal. One downside is that they feed at one speed and you can't vary the feed as the diameter of the job changes (ie. as you move into the centre).

The AL320G is one of those lathes that looks good at first glance but is really a bit of a non event IMHO.

You should have the lathe on a rigid base - ie steel or cement. Wood is not what I would consider as suitable.

Rob

It depends on what you need to machine, for example are you intending to turn larger diameter or smaller diameter?, length of items between centres? ,what size will you need to pass through the spindle bore?, will you be cutting a lot of threads?
For me at least, buying a lathe became a compromise between what I would like to have and what I was prepared to spend.
Your best option is to make list of every feature a lathe (any lathe) can offer, then select which of these features you would actually use regularly then find the lathe with the features you have selected. A further compromise may be required for price as mentioned above.
I would not be mounting the lathe on a wooden bench

Good luck

Thanks Rob, every thing you said pretty much goes with what I've been told in bits and pieces from various souces, I just don't have enough experience yet to confidently judge for myself, thanks for your reply

One other thing to consider regarding geared head lathes is that they can leave a pattern in very fine work.

This is due to harmonics produced when the gears mesh. That's why super precision tool room lathes such as Shaublin are mostly belt drive.

To get around this the cheap lathes generally have a fibre gear in the final drive set.

I think the AL320G has one of these.

As Bradford said, make sure you have adequate swing for the diameter of the work - ie. allow for the use of external chuck jaws in addition to the job diameter (clearance wise).

Cheers

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

It has a quick change gearbox for the leadscrew - the other does not.

Not so sure about that. It seems to have A B C. but that has to cover both thread pitches and powerfeed as the powerfeed appears to be done with the half nuts. so the steps will likely be pretty huge or you will have to change gears between thread and power feed

While the AL-320G doesnt have any quick change at all its powerfeed isnt driven with the half nuts so will be a different ratio.

"or is there to much movement for precision"
Well now that depends on what you call precision and over what length you need to hold it?
If you have the tools to make a steel bench then I'd say go for it, $250 will buy you a lot of steel. If not and you're aiming for sizes in the +/-0.1mm range* I'd say dont let it worry you just yet.

Stuart

*over a short distance. If you want to hold 0.1mm for the length of the lathe best get going on your steel bench.

Here's a video describing the TL250V.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwwT39n2bk4]TL250V MOVIE - YouTube[/ame]

Looks like a nice little lathe.

I only have a 3 step quick change gearbox on my CQ9325 and it's plenty good enough.

The CQ9325 has got three ratio choices that are sensibly spaced for coarse, medium, and fine feed. The Titan looks to be pretty similar. Also has a reverse tumbler.

And has two belt drive ratios, which is a good thing.

For the money it seems pretty well done.

You get a steel bench/stand as well.

I couldn't understand what the deal with the thread indicator working was in the video - seemed a bit odd to me. But then I don't have one

OK Rob, I had seen that vidio,I thought it was a good overview of the lathe, I've looked at so many lathes online and some in the metal and it just keeps going around and around, comes a time to make a decision, tomorrow I'll put my money down on the titan 250V and go from there,
CHEERS

I hope it goes as well as it looks.

The Chinese are certainly bringing out some really nice lathes these days - design wise.

I agree, when you look at the $1000 to $2500 range it's difficult to choose.

I'd be happy with that one. For similar money you can also get the AL250G and the CQ6128. Haven't seen the AL250G but the CQ6128 is pretty capable.

Life's hard at times, but hey, it's only money

Rob

Hi,

I've never dealt with Titan but did see about 100 adds posted on Ebay by a disgruntled buyer (who purchased a milling machine which he claimed didn't work as specified) last weekend (now taken off).
I'm not siding either way but I would definitely make sure you get a warranty and actually see the machine work etc.
Maybe check out Hare and Forbes for their equivalent.
Let us know how you go.
For arguments sake, I love power crossfeed on a lathe, I always get a better finish when facing.
Ben.

Originally Posted by leroy

Hi, first post here so please go easy on me just beginning with lathes,
If you had to choose between two similar lathes one with variable speed control (TL250V)
or power cross feed (AL320G) which feature would be more suitable for making hand driven coffee grinders in aluminum and mild steel?
second Question, is a timber bench suitable for a lath of of this weight, or is there to much movement for precision work?

If the choice is between a variable speed lathe and a power cross feed lathe, I would reason as follows: It is very easy and low cost to add variable speed to an existing lathe, but it is much harder to add cross feed. I like to add this: don't buy the lathe with just the one current project (coffee grinder) in mind. Think wahat you will use it for after that and 5 or 10 years later.

Regarding the timber bench, this is not simply a matter of lathe weight. Wood lives and moves with humidity and temperature. As long as you are into things like coffe grinders, a wooden bench is absolutely fine. But should you ever feel the need to turn longer objects to precise fits, you may not want a bench that twists your lathe bed with the seasons and causes it to cut taper. That is not to say that a timber bench cannot be made to avoid twisting the lathe bed, it just is not easy and certailnly not cheaper than a steel stand. The very best lathe stands are made of cast iron, because they are dimensionally stable like a sheet metal stand yet dampen vibrations like a solid oak bench would.

Chris

Hi Chris, I was I was just trying to save money but I guess I knew timber being what it is woudn't do the job, I'm 67 this year and a raw beginner with a lathe, I just want something
that I can use as is and not get too adventuress for the future, in 5 to 10 years I'll be worn out
before the latheif I can figure out how to add photos here I'll show my last big project

It is very easy and low cost to add variable speed to an existing lathe

+1!
Save a bit of money, add it later. Maybe even after you have given up using the lathe.


Nick

Leroy,

If you can built a boat, don't worry about what type of lathe you get, you'll be able to use.

Don't discount second hand either, there are some good lathes out there.

37" LANTAINE MODEL LAM 350 BH 240 VOLT - IN GREAT USED WORKING COND | eBay

Doesn't look to bad, but you would need to inspect it first.

Ben

Originally Posted by leroy

Hi Chris, I was I was just trying to save money but I guess I knew timber being what it is woudn't do the job, I'm 67 this year and a raw beginner with a lathe, I just want something
that I can use as is and not get too adventuress for the future, in 5 to 10 years I'll be worn out
before the latheif I can figure out how to add photos here I'll show my last big project

Nice little project that Leroy, I know what it's like to do fabrication and welding in the mud so I can appreciate the effort you have put in there.

Just one question, how did you turn it over to complete it ?