Thread: Lathe Buying Advice - C6 vs AL250G

Originally Posted by Ueee

I take it the 920 has not got a tumble reverse? I'm sure there would be plenty of mods done to add one. Just remember its not only LH threads this enables but power feeding from L to R. Good luck which ever way you go.

You may want to start watching mrpete222 utube vids, he goes through a lot of really good stuff.

Cheers,
Ew

Nope, it doesn't have a tumble reverse, but there are mods to add one online....
What is the advantage from feeding from left to right, other than threading?

I have watched many of mrpete222's vids, as well as Toms Techniques, which I really like also. Some great stuff on youtube!

CHeers Ueee, I was hoping you'd just tell me which one to buy to make my decision easier lol.

Both have their good and bad points-The 1022 is heavier, slightly larger bore, cross feed, tumble reverse, larger bed and takes larger tools. But it's threading capabilities are not as broad, this could be changed with some gears though.
The 920's threading capabilities are better, comes with a larger 4 jaw.....

The biggest limiting factor of both of these machines is the speeds IMHO. 6 speeds are not many to cover such a range. My lathes have-8, 12, 12 and 18 (i might even go to 27). The single best thing you could do is add variable speed of some sort. I think variable speed is almost a must on a small lathe, you need to be able to tweak the speeds to get the best cut from the lathe. On bigger machines the mass and rigidity is enough to beat resonances and vibrations etc most of the time.

Does that help.....??

Ew

Buy the best you can afford , that way you will have no regrets.

I started with a Hercus but quickly realised the 20mm spindle bore was way to small, wound up waiting and waiting for the right lathe to come up on ebay and I got a Pacific (ex school & Taiwanese) lathe in good nick with geared head ,auto cross feed , 38mm spindle bore 4 jaw chuck steadies etc for $1350, never looked back. The only thing missing was the knob on the cam lock for the tailstock, had already been converted to 240v.

Originally Posted by Ueee

Both have their good and bad points-The 1022 is heavier, slightly larger bore, cross feed, tumble reverse, larger bed and takes larger tools. But it's threading capabilities are not as broad, this could be changed with some gears though.
The 920's threading capabilities are better, comes with a larger 4 jaw.....

The biggest limiting factor of both of these machines is the speeds IMHO. 6 speeds are not many to cover such a range. My lathes have-8, 12, 12 and 18 (i might even go to 27). The single best thing you could do is add variable speed of some sort. I think variable speed is almost a must on a small lathe, you need to be able to tweak the speeds to get the best cut from the lathe. On bigger machines the mass and rigidity is enough to beat resonances and vibrations etc most of the time.

Does that help.....??

Ew

Yes! It helps a lot...Fitting a variable speed has also been done before and I've read the write up on this too, so that is something I could possibly do if I got the 9x20.

I just wish it was as easy as "The 920 as A, B, C, the 1022 has A,B,C and D, E F too" but it's not!

I'm leaning towards 9x20 at the moment...mainly because of the wealth of knowledge out there, the cost also leaves a little more cash available for a milling machine that I'm looking at too. So that sort of helps..I think I'm just going to pull the trigger and make a call to asset plant in an hour and put some money down!

Thanks heaps UEEE...

If I could bug you for one more piece of information.
People here are telling me that the AL50G is a clone of the SM920, except with the 920 you don't get the camlock tailstock, but in the pictures, they look identical...

Originally Posted by Ueee

The biggest limiting factor of both of these machines is the speeds IMHO. 6 speeds are not many to cover such a range. My lathes have-8, 12, 12 and 18 (i might even go to 27). The single best thing you could do is add variable speed of some sort. I think variable speed is almost a must on a small lathe, you need to be able to tweak the speeds to get the best cut from the lathe. On bigger machines the mass and rigidity is enough to beat resonances and vibrations etc most of the time.

Yes, I agree. EVS was always on the top of my list of wanted features, that is why I went for the SM920V. Pity they no longer sell that version. It is however relatively simple to add a VFD and 3phase motor and get EVS that way, probably more fool proof too.

Both my wood lathe and metal lathe have EVS and I wouldn't be without it on either.

My mill, a DM45, doesn't have it (yet) and it is a PITA to have to stop the mill each time you want to change speeds. I do however have a VFD and 2hp 3 phase flange mount motor ready to be installed, all I have to overcome is inertia.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Yes, I agree. EVS was always on the top of my list of wanted features, that is why I went for the SM920V. Pity they no longer sell that version. It is however relatively simple to add a VFD and 3phase motor and get EVS that way, probably more fool proof too.

Both my wood lathe and metal lathe have EVS and I wouldn't be without it on either.

My mill, a DM45, doesn't have it (yet) and it is a PITA to have to stop the mill each time you want to change speeds. I do however have a VFD and 2hp 3 phase flange mount motor ready to be installed, all I have to overcome is inertia.

Funny you should mention the DM45, that is the exact same Mill I am looking at getting!
Looks like we may have the same setup BigShed!

Originally Posted by oohsam

but in the pictures, they look identical...

You need your eyes checked
The black nut on the one on the left needs a spanner.
The black "thing" under the handwheel on the right is(I assume) the lever for the cam lock)

Stuart

Yep

Ahhhhhhhhhhh Thanks fellas!!

I have just placed a deposit on the 920 from Asset plant.
The guys were excellent to deal with both times I have dealt with them, I recommend their service.

Now to start stocking up on tools...

Congrats

Hope you will have fun with it and now the learning curve starts in earnest!

Cheers BigShed,
Your input has been an integral part in my decision making along with others on this forum.
Thank you for taking the time out to assist me and I hope this thread will be of value to people in the future.

Cheers
Sam

Originally Posted by oohsam

Cheers BigShed,
Your input has been an integral part in my decision making along with others on this forum.
Thank you for taking the time out to assist me and I hope this thread will be of value to people in the future.

Cheers
Sam

Your 10% commission cheque from Asset is in the mail Fred

Hey guys,
Just wanted to update the thread.
after all the advice, I went and put down a deposit on the SM920. Was very excited and told they were due Mid Feb (about a week or 2 after posting this).
Mid feb came and went and still had no lathe. Called up Asset Plant and they told me they would be in end of Feb.
End of feb came and gone and still no lathe. After calling them again they said Mid March. Which was ok. Mid march came and went and I called up last week and they told me they are in the wharf and I can pick it up Wednesdsy (yesterday).
Today I get an email saying they are still on the water and they are due Mid April.

Basically, got fed up waiting and decided to get the AL50G from Hafco. Went on their site and I see they have deleted the AL50G (on sale) and now replaced it with the AL51G. Which is the SM920a Exactly.

http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/L160

Even has the quick release tailstock. So I canceled my order with asset plant, explained why, and that I am fed up waiting and empty promises, and have placed an order with Hafco and should my new lathe in 2 weeks.
I dont LOVE hafco, but they have been ok with me, and they are round the corner.

Asset plant were shocked when I told them the sm920 and the al51g were the same and he had to look them up to check.

Cheers !