"Dave H." wrote in message
...

"Richard W." wrote...

If it's in good shape it not a bad lathe. The one's I ran were built in
the late 70's and early 80's. They seem to chatter easy on long shafts. I
think they needed more iron in the bed on the longer lathes. (20" swing
10' centers) Seemed fine for chuck work though, which is most of what we
did on it. Can't say much about a small one like the one you are looking
at. It may be just fine. Although if I was in the market for a new lathe
they would be near the bottom of the list.


Thanks for the feedback, Richard, may I pick your brains a little more?

I'd mostly be using it for work in the chuck, things like machining hubs
and clutches I guess, and boring smallish castings on the carriage with a
b/c boring bar, occasional work on driveshafts etc., it'd be an addition
to my tools for working on / modifying motorcycles - I don't imagine I'm
likely to be doing anything that would tax it too much

I think you would find it fine for that. I could take .400" out of 6" bore
running a .020 feed. Didn't even know it was cutting.



I'd be interested to know why you'd put them at the bottom of the list,
though - rigidity?

Rigidity for longer shafts. I have had 6" shafts chatter, yet the same shaft
in a different lathe cut just fine. The ways are narrow. Also the cross
travel is limited. In order to face a large part in one cut, you would have
to positition the tool just right in the cross slide travel. I didn't like
the electric clutch. For long heavy parts it engages to fast. Sounds like
they wouldn't be a problem for you. They seem to be a nice accurate lathe
otherwise. I don't remember the model, but one of these had a weak clutch.
It's been close to 20 years since I ran one of these lathes.


While I think of it, it runs (as delivered from the factory) a 10HP
3-phase motor - reckon I'd get away with a lower-output VFD if I kept the
cuts fairly light? 7.5KW VFD's cost an Imperial Arm and Leg (more than I
can pick the lathe up for, anyway) as does getting the 'lectric co. to
install 3-phase power, but here in the UK 3KW (4HP) are getting to be
reasonable - and 10HP in a 12" swing lathe seems kinda generous anyway!
I'm still at the stage of factoring in rental of a plant trailer and truck
to tug it, new reinforced concrete base for the 'shop, 50 yards of heavy
armoured cable, VFD etc. and want to keep the collateral damage to my
wallet down...

I run a rotary phase on my lathe and it works just fine. That is what I
would get. I just got a 20 hp 3 phase motor that I plan to hook up to my 3
phase welder. But I am in no hurry since I lost my job.

Richard W.