Thread: Mectek Bench Lathe

I suppose it depends on what length of work you want to do. The Mectek looks to be a bigger spindle (bore amd taper) version of the AL-60 and with a better speed range. Price is also lower. If you don't need the extra length the Mectek looks good.

Nev

That looks like a nice lathe at a very good price.

It appears to have Electronic Variable Speed? 750W-1hp DC motor.

Swing over bed is hopefully wrong in the specs, 55mm?

It also says a stand is included, making it an even better price.

Headstock is MT4, hence the 26mm bore, making it a bit more expensive for some of the accessories, such as collet chucks etc. Not a big deal though.

After checking the specs on BOTH machines, the AL-54B is the far better lathe.
Dollar for dollar, you going to get a good deal, if you buy the AL-54B.

regards radish

Originally Posted by radish

After checking the specs on BOTH machines, the AL-54B is the far better lathe.

How so? Are you referring to the dist bc?

Yep, that's just for starters, now here's something that a lot forget about, BED WIDTH, AL-54B = 180mm, Mectek = 135, everything is a lot more rigid with the wider bed, far less chance of any vibrations starting.
Tailstock taper, AL-54B = MT 3, Mectec = MT 2, so the tailstock is bigger in the AL-54, more rigidity once again.
Better range of longitudal feeds on the AL-54B, makes life easier when cutting different materials.

OK, motor speeds are a bit slower with AL54, but then again, you can still turn something of 5 mm diameter at 2000 rpm's, so no great downer.

Mectec say's NOTHING about the extras, these extras are included with the AL-54, like 4 jaw chuck, 3 jaw chuck, face plate, dead centre, fixed and travelling steadies, etc, etc, etc.

I am not a salesman from Scary Forbes, I just happen use their lathes, CL-38 and CL-80, all day, every day and the service is good, as well as the spare parts availability.

regards radish

If it was my cash, the AL-54B would be in me shed, right now.

radish

Thanks for advice.

Scott

Originally Posted by radish

Y I just happen use their lathes, CL-38 and CL-80, all day, every day and the service is good, as well as the spare parts availability.

regards radish

What is the CL-80 like??? I looked at one a month or so ago, under 12 months old and while the slides were still perfect, the levers were all rattly like it had done a zillion hours...I was not impressed....

CL-80 about 10/12 yr old, headstock rattles like a couple of skeletons shaggin' on a tin roof, she's just about knackered. Still cuts true, so the boss is going to keep it 'til it stops, by the look of it.

Most of the bigger chinesey stuff develops something after a while, but the beauty of them is the price, there chuck aways, when they develop some bad manners, just go get a newy and start again.

regards radish

CL-38 is a bloody gem tho' !

Thanks, I am looking for a replacement for my AL1000 about the CL38 size but with 1500mm centres..Only ones I have priced started at $19 000 and the one I want is $50 000+..

Don't know what the AL54 ($2000) is like, but saying that it is very good because it comes from the same importer as another $15000 lathe doesn't seem very logical to me.

Two totally different lathes, probably made in two totally different factories, to totally different specifications.