funkychicken 18th January 2009, 03:59 PM I'm after a lathe for doing tool related items. Like knobs and such.
I'll only be turning up to 50mm diameter or so. The lathe will need to cut pretty fine threads as well.
Now I don't want one that's stupidly small so what do you recommend?
I know of a Hercus for sale, reckon that's suit what I'm after?
pipeclay 19th January 2009, 01:21 AM Just make sure that the Hercus is going to be able to cut the Threads you require,most of them are Imperial machines and if you require Metric threads there could be an additional cost in getting the required Compound Gearing and Change Gears.
If you only need to turn Knobs and such the cheaper Import machines might be a better option,all depends on the price of the Hercus and if it does what you want to do without the extra expence.
echnidna 19th January 2009, 08:32 AM Hercus & Myford etc are vintage machines, some bits are difficult to get and some may have worn ways, and other bits. You'll have a better home workshop machine if you get a new imported lathe.
Mate of mine (a retired Toolmaker) had an old hercus for many years, it had a few foibles but he worked around them easily enough. Then he bought a chinese lathe after seeing one in use. Kept his oldie for a few months just in case. Then he sold it.
bollie7 19th January 2009, 10:37 AM If thats all you want to machine it might be cheaper to just buy what you need from someone like D&D Barry
http://www.ddbarry.com.au/products.htm
Unless you specificaly want machined metal knobs.
regards
bollie7
.RC. 19th January 2009, 10:54 AM Hercus & Myford etc are vintage machines
I think Myford are still in business making new machines...Albeit at a premium price for a prehistoric design...
echnidna 19th January 2009, 11:42 AM If thats all you want to machine it might be cheaper to just buy what you need from someone like D&D Barry
http://www.ddbarry.com.au/products.htm
Unless you specificaly want machined metal knobs.
regards
bollie7
But much of the fun is buying tools :)
matthew_g 19th January 2009, 01:36 PM I have had the pleasure of owning an older lathe and also a new taiwanese lathe both of equal size.
I prefer my new lathe.It is so much easier to use.And more accurate. just my 2 cents worth
funkychicken 21st January 2009, 10:16 PM So it appears that the Taiwanese lathes rank higher than the Australia Hercus.
Can you recommend a model?
Big Shed 21st January 2009, 10:22 PM FC, I can highly recommend the one I bought. I have so far used it to turn all sorts of metal bits, even threads and also pens:2tsup:
It has EVS, so is very easy to use.
I have posted about it here (http://woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=78788&highlight=lathe).
.RC. 21st January 2009, 10:31 PM Can you recommend a model?
What is the budget???
funkychicken 21st January 2009, 10:39 PM What is the budget???
around $1500 max
snowyskiesau 21st January 2009, 11:25 PM I have a Sieg C6 which is a 9x20. Mine came from Carbatec via eBay. Hare and Forbes also have this model as an AL-60. There are a couple of eBay sellers of this as well. Price varies but is within your $1500 budget.
WHile my lathe hasn't had the use I'd planned for it, it's been able to do all I ask of it. I'd highly recommend it (or the Sieg C4 which is probably a better lathe but over your planned budget)
Links:
Carbatec (http://www.carbatec.com.au/metalworking/metalworking-lathes/carba-tec-c6-metalworking-lathe?zenid=62b296b257b3b9db84f414ab9ea5a57d)
Hare and Forbes (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products?stockCode=L148) (just noticed that the price has gone up here)
Titan (eBay) (http://titanmachinery.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=33)
ozmestore1 (http://stores.ebay.com.au/ozmestore1) (eBay)
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