Thread: AL-50GA or AL-60 (SIEG C6)

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

Hi,

I owned a AL-50GA around 4 years ago and in a silly moment sold it after doing all the mods to it!

I want to buy another lathe. I was on the H&F website and saw the AL-60 (SIEG C6) can anyone tell me the difference between the two is?

You've only got to look at the specifications to see the differences.

C6 has not got a quick change gearbox - major deficiency.

Red paint appears to cost more.

Rob

DBC, SOB, thread cutting (marginally) - all in the AL60s favour. The AL-60 is quite a bit heavier I think and presumably - more robust. The AL-50 is about $300 cheaper I think and as you already know the AL-50 is a dam good machine, difficult to better for the money and after all the mods: reverse tumbler, 4 bolt compound mount, etc, a very capable machine . I owned an AL-50 (amongst others) can't think of a single bad word to say about them. I only sold it because I found the spindle bore limiting.

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

Hi,

I owned a AL-50GA around 4 years ago and in a silly moment sold it after doing all the mods to it!

I want to buy another lathe. I was on the H&F website and saw the AL-60 (SIEG C6) can anyone tell me the difference between the two is?

It should not be too difficult to decide between the two. The Al60 costs a little more, but it is more lathe too. The AL50 is smaller, lighter and less expensive. Here some items to consider:

- The Sieg C6 (AL60) is a relatively new 10x22" lathe designed by Sieg from scratch
- The AL50 is an older 9x20" lathe (a clone of an 1980's Austrian 8" lathe with raised head- and tailstocks).
- The Sieg C6 weighs 160kg (as much as a Hercus 260)
- The AL50 weighs 105kg. So expect a difference in rigidity.
- Both lathes are belt drive.
- The Sieg has a covered leadscrew
- The AL50 has a Norton gearbox for gearcutting (actually it is ony a half Norton gearbox with one lever, needs extra manual changegears)
- Both lathes will need some improvements being done. But Sieg is one of the better quality makers of small low cost Chinese machine tools. The Sieg lathe is made in only one factory in Shanghai, whereas the AL50 style lathes are made by many different factories across China.
- There are far more AL50 type lathes worldwide, than there are Sieg C6.
- The AL50 has only 40mm tailstock stroke, and it has a reputation for problems with the automatic feed (the apron mechanism for the slotted leadscrew is not well designed and finished)
Chris

Really appreciate the replies to the thread so far.

Many thanks

I’ve owned 2 AL50s and had a good run from both. Don’t know anything about the AL60 except what is written on Hafco’s site so can’t compare. I hated the AL 50’s drive system: very skinny belts, tend to slip and for their size they were quite expensive and only available from Hafco. Don’t know about CBA’s poor design or finished comment on the auto feed, it’s basically the same system as used on most Chinese lathes and certainly a lot better in finish than a lot of others. I'd look around a bit more and add other lathes to the equation: Titan Machinery have a clone of the AL50 called the TL930 I think, it’s available in the same format as the AL50 and also in a variable speed format, dammed expensive for a small lathe though. Titan also have the TL210 and 250 in variable speed which look quite good. Quick change gearboxes are a matter of choice, if you have the need they’re great I suppose, I never used this feature on any of my lathes so I put more weight on other features such as larger spindle bore, more threading options, longer tailstock quill travel, longer crossfeed travel and build quality. Depends entirely on intended use.

Just been looking at whats available on ebay and a few other sites.

I'm more confused than before with all the different models available.

The good thing about small lathes is they are easy to sell and fetch good prices, so in effect, there is no such thing as an expensive mistake. You've already tried an AL50, try something else, it's all good experience. At most, if it's not what you need, you will only lose a few hundred bucks but gain lots of experience improving it and hopefully increasing it's value. One step back - six forward.

^ that's true, I couldn't believe how many people wanted the lathe when I advertised it.