On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:31:54 -0500, P Riedie 
wrote:

>
>Peter Fairbrother Wrote: 
>> Peter Harrison wrote:
>> 
>> That's fine, as I for one seldom if ever want to cut LH threads and
>> don't mind a bit of razamagoo when/if I do.
>> [color=blue]
>> >
>> > However, the power crossfeed seems a little more hinkey. According
>> to
>> > the review here:
>> >
>> > http://www.mini-lathe.com/m4/C4/c4.htm
>> >
>> > The power transfer lever allows the leadscrew to either drive the
>> cross
>> > slide along the ways or across them. When set to power the cross
>> feed,
>> > the direction of movement of the slide depends upon the direction of
>> > rotation of the spindle. Thus I guess you would have to put the
>> spindle
>> > in reverse to move the cross slide out.
>> 
>> Ouch! Could anyone be so stupid as to design a lathe like that? You
>> can't even turn in both directions?
>> 
>> If this is so then the C4 is well off my list!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- Peter
>
>If you spend time to read the mini lathe article you will see that it
>has purposely been designed that way so with the spindle disconnected
>and using reverse it has power feed in both directions for the milling
>attachment.
>
>I have never understood the fascination for power cross feed on a lathe
>that only has 3 inches of movement anyway.
>When you compare the number of small machines built to the ones with
>power cross feed it must be a very low percent but it's never stopped
>anyone from making parts yet.
>
>It seem only of importance to armchair machinists and nit pickers who
>wouldn't even buy one anyway.
>
>P Riedie.

Mr Riedie

	I regret my earlier 'troll' remark, it was undeserved  and I
apologise. I have actually emailed you to say so but it was bounced. 
 
	 I really didn't mean it to be quite as abrasive as it actually
appeared, I see you have made a considerable useful contribution to the
mini-lathe debates.
 
 	The UK model engineering group is outstanding in the helpfulness of
the characters who use it, I didn't really mean to introduce a discordant
note and I'm sorry if I might have offended - please accept my apology.
--

Chris Edwards (in deepest Dorset)      "....there *must* be an easier way!"

Chris Edwards wrote:
> On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:31:54 -0500, P Riedie 
> wrote:
> 
>> Peter Fairbrother Wrote: 
>>> Peter Harrison wrote:
>>>
>>> That's fine, as I for one seldom if ever want to cut LH threads and
>>> don't mind a bit of razamagoo when/if I do.
>>> [color=blue]
>>>> However, the power crossfeed seems a little more hinkey. According
>>> to
>>>> the review here:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.mini-lathe.com/m4/C4/c4.htm
>>>>
>>>> The power transfer lever allows the leadscrew to either drive the
>>> cross
>>>> slide along the ways or across them. When set to power the cross
>>> feed,
>>>> the direction of movement of the slide depends upon the direction of
>>>> rotation of the spindle. Thus I guess you would have to put the
>>> spindle
>>>> in reverse to move the cross slide out.
>>> Ouch! Could anyone be so stupid as to design a lathe like that? You
>>> can't even turn in both directions?
>>>
>>> If this is so then the C4 is well off my list!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- Peter
>> If you spend time to read the mini lathe article you will see that it
>> has purposely been designed that way so with the spindle disconnected
>> and using reverse it has power feed in both directions for the milling
>> attachment.
>>
>> I have never understood the fascination for power cross feed on a lathe
>> that only has 3 inches of movement anyway.
>> When you compare the number of small machines built to the ones with
>> power cross feed it must be a very low percent but it's never stopped
>> anyone from making parts yet.
>>
>> It seem only of importance to armchair machinists and nit pickers who
>> wouldn't even buy one anyway.
>>
>> P Riedie.
> 
> Mr Riedie
> 
> 	I regret my earlier 'troll' remark, it was undeserved  and I
> apologise. I have actually emailed you to say so but it was bounced.

I don't know - I'd rather like to be an armchair machinist, standing up 
all day does my back (and feet) in. I do have a swivelly office chair 
next to my lathe, but that's not the same.

As for buying another lathe, I am in the market or will be soon - need 
more grunt and mass than my minilathe can provide - I now have £550 put 
aside and can borrow a bit more from myself, so looking at £750 or so. I 
would like PCF though.

Don't need big, can use a borrowed lathe occasionally for big, need 
grunt and precision. Don't think I will be buying a C4 however - maybe a 
C6 or a used Boxford?

-- Peter Fairbrother (who doesn't have nits either)

Peter Fairbrother wrote:

> I don't know - I'd rather like to be an armchair machinist, standing up 
> all day does my back (and feet) in. I do have a swivelly office chair 
> next to my lathe, but that's not the same.
> 
> As for buying another lathe, I am in the market or will be soon - need 
> more grunt and mass than my minilathe can provide - I now have £550 put 
> aside and can borrow a bit more from myself, so looking at £750 or so. I 
> would like PCF though.
> 
> Don't need big, can use a borrowed lathe occasionally for big, need 
> grunt and precision. Don't think I will be buying a C4 however - maybe a 
> C6 or a used Boxford?
> 
> -- Peter Fairbrother (who doesn't have nits either)

So what about the Chester DB-8V or Warco WM-240? Both are available for 
£700. These appear to be essentially the same lathe. Similar capacity to 
the Comet, similar size, can do left hand threads (they say), variable 
speed, reversing. The Warco has a slotted cross-slide. Can't be sure 
about the Chester model. They also come with accessories that would cost 
an extra £100 with a Sieg C6B from Axminster although the C6B has a 
slightly bigger capacity. Doubtless both would want some fettling to be 
useful.

I too am looking for a lathe in this range and these are what I am 
considering at present.  They seem to tick all my boxes. Anyone used 
either of these and willing to comment. Better yet, anyone near South 
Staffs want to let me have a look at one in action?


Pete Harrison
nit free since 1966

On or around Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:02:28 -0700 (PDT), John S
 enlightened us thusly:

>The C6B is a crap lathe.
>It does have a tumbler reverse IF you are prepared to remove the drive
>pulley to swap gear over at the back.
>The variable electronic drive is a waste of time, useable low speed is
>around 250 rpm, below that it stalls if you piss on it.
>
>I had one that I fitted a two speed poly vee drive belt system to in
>an attempt to make it more useable.
>It made it 100% better but 100% of crap is still crap.
>
>There is no substitute for mechanical speed reduction that increases
>torque unless like the big boys do and over spec the motor by a factor
>of 7 or greater.

well, I'd go along with that.  The Student has all gears, and OK, being 1960
it doesn't run all that fast (1200 max) but it does also go down to 54 in
low gear.  It's reasonably capable with a 2HP single-phase motor (original
would have been a 3HP 3-phase), although to be sure I only do light work on
it anyway.

The more I hear about the lower end of the new-machine market, the less I'm
likely to buy one.  OK, my student has had quite a hard life and has some
issues (and some missing parts, like the brake, which would be hard to find
or expensive).  I did actually find out that I can get a new crossfeed screw
and nut, but that would've cost more than the machine did.

All the time there are decent machines like that available second hand,
that's going to be my preference...
-- 
Austin Shackles.  www.ddol-las.net  my opinions are just that
Travel The Galaxy!  Meet Fascinating Life Forms...
------------------------------------------------\   
   >>  http://www.schlockmercenary.com/  <<      \  ...and Kill them.
a webcartoon by Howard Tayler; I like it, maybe you will too!

"Austin Shackles"  wrote in 
message >
> The more I hear about the lower end of the new-machine market, the less 
> I'm
> likely to buy one.  OK, my student has had quite a hard life and has some
> issues (and some missing parts, like the brake, which would be hard to 
> find
> or expensive).  I did actually find out that I can get a new crossfeed 
> screw
> and nut, but that would've cost more than the machine did.
>
As it happens I'm breaking a complete mk2 Student. (an ill-advised buy - 
lets not go there!)
The brake looks and seems to work OK. For a few beer tokens I'll remove it 
and leave it at IF for you.
Crossfeed shaft and nuts are s*****d though. Contact me on the email below 
if interested

regards
-- 
Roland Craven
Nr. Exeter, Devon, UK
roland@petternut.co.uk
www.petternut.co.uk

On or around Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:23:25 +0100, "Roland Craven"
 enlightened us thusly:

>As it happens I'm breaking a complete mk2 Student. (an ill-advised buy - 
>lets not go there!)
>The brake looks and seems to work OK. For a few beer tokens I'll remove it 
>and leave it at IF for you.
>Crossfeed shaft and nuts are s*****d though. Contact me on the email below 
>if interested

you should have mail.
-- 
Austin Shackles.  www.ddol-las.net  my opinions are just that
Travel The Galaxy!  Meet Fascinating Life Forms...
------------------------------------------------\   
   >>  http://www.schlockmercenary.com/  <<      \  ...and Kill them.
a webcartoon by Howard Tayler; I like it, maybe you will too!

jontom_1uk@hotmail.com wrote:

> Peter
> 
> If you decide that you want to go with a “proper” British built lathe,
> I have a good Boxford AUD (power feeds to saddle and cross slide,
> thread cutting gearbox, single phase from new, coolant pump)  that I
> could be persuaded to part with. If you are not too far from junction
> 17 of the M4 I might also deliver it (within your stated budget) as
> long as access is OK your end. You would need to be fairly quick for
> that though as my son goes back to university in a few weeks time and
> I wouldn’t do it on my own.

Sounds pretty good overall, except for being Imperial and perhaps a 
little larger than I want, though it will fit nicely.

Access is tricky - up one flight of stairs - but not impossible, and I 
could round up a few local chaps to help. Also I have moved lots of 
pianos, so am used to moving similar large top-heavy narrow objects. 
Could even leave it downstairs if needed. How big are the holes under 
the bed?


I'm in Trowbridge, about 20 miles south of J 17 - is that anywhere close?


Thanks,

-- Peter

On or around Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:47:53 +0100, Peter Fairbrother
 enlightened us thusly:

>Access is tricky - up one flight of stairs - but not impossible, and I 
>could round up a few local chaps to help. Also I have moved lots of 
>pianos, so am used to moving similar large top-heavy narrow objects. 
>Could even leave it downstairs if needed. How big are the holes under 
>the bed?

It'll come apart, if you really need to.  Although it's always better to
avoid taking headstocks off if you can :-) 

Specifically, the lathe and cabinet should be moderately easy to separate.
-- 
Austin Shackles.  www.ddol-las.net  my opinions are just that
Travel The Galaxy!  Meet Fascinating Life Forms...
------------------------------------------------\   
   >>  http://www.schlockmercenary.com/  <<      \  ...and Kill them.
a webcartoon by Howard Tayler; I like it, maybe you will too!

jontom_1uk@hotmail.com wrote:
> On 27 Aug, 17:47, Peter Fairbrother  wrote:
>> jontom_...@hotmail.com wrote:
>>> Peter
>>> If you decide that you want to go with a “proper” British built lathe,
>>> I have a good Boxford AUD (power feeds to saddle and cross slide,
>>> thread cutting gearbox, single phase from new, coolant pump)  that I
>>> could be persuaded to part with. If you are not too far from junction
>>> 17 of the M4 I might also deliver it (within your stated budget) as
>>> long as access is OK your end. You would need to be fairly quick for
>>> that though as my son goes back to university in a few weeks time and
>>> I wouldn’t do it on my own.
>> Sounds pretty good overall, except for being Imperial and perhaps a
>> little larger than I want, though it will fit nicely.
>>
>> Access is tricky - up one flight of stairs - but not impossible, and I
>> could round up a few local chaps to help. Also I have moved lots of
>> pianos, so am used to moving similar large top-heavy narrow objects.
>> Could even leave it downstairs if needed. How big are the holes under
>> the bed?
>>
>> I'm in Trowbridge, about 20 miles south of J 17 - is that anywhere close?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> -- Peter
> 
> Peter
> 
> Just sent you some more details and some pictures but from a different
> e-mail address as Hotmail is playing up and won't load the picture
> files. So please check that your Spam filters don't take it out
> subject is just Boxford Lathe.

Got it, will reply later today.

Thanks,

-- Peter