Modellers Lathe

[Lonewolf]

I have been after a small model makers lathe for some time, and I can afford one now. So here are my options. One of my main concerns is lack of space, so it HAS to be movable and storable. So I'm really down to one of these.

Sieg C1 - Heard good things about this (www.axminster.com)

Unimat 4 - Heard bad things about the earlier ones

MJ189 - Appears to be a rebranding of the Unimat but heard better things about them

Clarke CL250 - A little bit more expensive but heard they are prone to motor burnout.

OK I know that a small Myford or Boxford would probably be a better machine but at this time something big and unmovable is simply out of the question.

Any comments anyone?

Wolfie.

[ptcruiser]

Probably the wrong time of year , but look for schools/colleges replacing some of their 'old' stock, and probably able to CNC link to them too? Second hand is also an option or pick up a copy of Model Engineer for more traders/options/opinions etc.

Rich

[iansadler]

Hi I would look at Machine Mart they have two at very competative prices , one has the Milling head as standard , The Other is Chesters Lathes based just outside Chester in North Wales . cheers ian

[Lonewolf]

Cheers Guys, I ordered a Sieg in the end.

[cosmosman]

You might want the compound slide if you want to machine tapered components.

[Lonewolf]

Ooo tell me more Mike? I thought you made tapers by moving slide along and in at same time?

[cosmosman]

The basic setup allows you to cut along the work or into the work at 90 degrees. using a compound slide you can move the cutting tool at a angle to the work to produce a taper. Have a look on the Axeminster site at acessories and there's a compound slide about £65

[cosmosman]

Hi Chris,

Got your lathe yet?

[Lonewolf]

Yes mate got it before Xmas.

Look at the diesel tank caps on my Cruise Liner!

[NoelSmith]

Hi Wolfie glad to hear you got your mini lathe at last. What's the Sieg like as I have not heard of that one? I have had a Unimat 4 for about 3 years , and touch wood have had no trouble with it so far. There are quite a few other mini lathes about such as Sherline, Toyo. Peatol and Proxxon to name a few also worth looking at. There is another one that is actually made in the UK by Cowells but this is a Rolls Royce compared to the others and the price reflects it.
There may be a few standard Boxford and Denford bench lathes about about but these are much bigger machines.
A previous thread suggested that one may be able to pick up a CNC controlled machine second hand from a school or college. Be very aware of this! You may well be able to buy a machine secondhand, but you could end up with a white elephant as educational suppliers will not sell or support their software unless supplying to an educational establishment.

[Lonewolf]

I'm not going to go that far!

This little Sieg is the same baby lathe marketed by most of the others under various brand names.

However I am going to upgrade. Using this thing brought back to me a very old desire to build my own steam engine. So I got a set of plans and made a start.

Now I'm struggling a bit cos the machine is so small. Is is coping, but I definitely need summat bigger. Trouble is I'm a bit strapped for room so I have to be careful.

I visited the Society of Model Engineers show in London in December and there were some beautiful bits of tackle about varying from a measly £800 to upwards of £5000

Here it is in action...




Aluminium diesel tank practice


A chunk of cast iron I begged from the local scrap dealer ;D

[NoelSmith]

Looks like a nice little machine you've got there Wolfie, and it has a proper 3 jaw chuck. Not like the horrible one on my Unimat that you have to tighten up using two little bars. It's OK, but I would much prefer a chuck like the one fitted to your machine.
I'm sure that you will get lots of pleasure from it.
Those aly fuel tanks look to be an ideal subject for the machine.

[cosmosman]

What size between centres and swing over bed are you looking for ?

[Lonewolf]

I'm not too fussed Mike, the bigger the better really but I am going to be constrained by space and cost.

[cosmosman]

The one i've got is a Warco Mini Lathe. Lots of other companies do a similar one, Axminster, Machinemart, Chester, just different colour and stickers . Weighs 38kg so it can be moved if required. Looking at about £440 for a new one. Next size up your looking at about £650