Thread: Steel Master lathes and hafco measuring kits

Heya mate, have a look in this thread here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/he...41/index3.html
There is a HUGE amount of info which Big Shed has posted there as i have been trying to settle on a lathe for the last few weeks.

In particular this website has been excellent for information regarding the 9x20 lathes
Steve Bedair's 9 x 20 Lathe Page

For Micrometers and other measuring equipment ive used this guy in the past: Results for Inspection Tools:Micrometers
He posts on eBay too, although you can buy straight from him. Good quality gear at ridiculously cheap prices.

HI FABRICATOR.
Both Big shed and I own Metalmaster lathes. I have a 12" x 36" (300mm x 900 between centers).

I can't speak for big ol iron like south bends and the like but can tell you I feel its much better than school lathes like the Hercus, as I like to to be able to changle spindle speeds quickly. Fiddling about changing flat belts was not for me .Also my choice was slanted to suit the spindle bore required to fit a large muzzle loader barrel through it.

Another point was that it was ready to go after the cleaning and assembly and accessories like a quick change tool post, live centers and keyless chuck were readliy available .

As for parts I was a able obtain a spare gear shaft from the saddle gearbox after a crash (don't ask!) No it was n't the fault of the machine.
The part was relatively cheap and took a few weeks to obtain.
I think too many potential owners go through this angst of not knowing what is this best choice. Ultimately it gets back to the dollars and that again is affected by local availabilty of your favoured machine,the freight ( not only $ but other problems) involved in its arrival as well as warranty and spares after sales service etc. Situated in a regional area away from the big smoketransporting several hundred kilos of older machine may not be an attractive proposition for a general courier.I could not get a major carrier interested( won,t deliver unless its a business) in my new lathe so I had to chase a back load and insure it myself.Maybe for your self its maybe a trip to the big smoke in a ute and DIY.

As for help in making a choice, what works for me is to make a list of 2 columns listing the features of each side by side,.Once you get past the ridigity issue, range of spindle speeds ,ability to cut metric threads without too much hassle,quick change gearbox and a range of other modern features quickly overwhelm the rigidity advantage. Add to this the fact that you you may have to change motors.
I would rather move the Chinese one than the the South bend.

Have a great xmas everyone
Grahame