Theoben Rapid Forum

Everything Technical About Rapid => Technical => Topic started by: Aggy on April 02, 2022, 08:15:19 AM

Title: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: Aggy on April 02, 2022, 08:15:19 AM
Hi guys thinking of buying a small lathe ,bench top type ideally the largest thing likely to go in it will be a barrel , not the beer type .
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: anthony on April 02, 2022, 09:21:37 AM
 i have a nice little screwcutting lathe a Drummond i think its B Lathe that im thinking of selling

looks just like the one in this pic http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/html/lathe_gallery.html
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: Aggy on April 02, 2022, 11:02:42 AM
Hi Anthony I am probably going to go for something a little more modern but thanks
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: anthony on April 02, 2022, 11:08:31 AM
ok bud   ;)
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: Ca_Varminter on April 02, 2022, 02:16:35 PM
Well on the topic of old lathes......
Mine is a Emco Compact 5.
The Bore of the spindle just has the clearance for a 16mm barrel!
So I have Crowned, Screw-cut, and machine the breech on it without a Problem!

Here is an example of cutting a target crown, the old way...
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/air/websize/crown1.jpg)

Here is the new way I cut them. I use new tool called , The Mason Crown Cutter.
It uses 3 carbide cutters to cut the 11° target crown.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/ultimaterapid/websize/20200909_122313.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/ultimaterapid/websize/20200918_162610.jpg)

With some cold bluing......
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/misc/websize/crown%20blue.jpg)

Good Luck,
Stuart
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: KevG on April 02, 2022, 05:07:50 PM
I would go with warco or Axminster, I use to have a small Axminster bv20,it was fantastic for a small lathe. think they stopped making this model though
KevG
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: Aggy on April 04, 2022, 05:53:53 AM
Cheers guys will have a nosey on line and see if there is anything for sale
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: Squinty on April 23, 2022, 09:32:29 AM
I've been looking for a (new) bench lathe too.
I'm very much limited on access to .. space can be made but what I would like and what will go through the house ... talking doors off to gain millimetres... clearances around the corners over steps  or alternatively negotiating an equally narrow side entry and through a dozen gateways and gardens  :o

anyways.

The Warco range are popular..  but more often than not.. out of stock.
They do come with a few more extra accessories as standard than Amadeal but the options are limited.
You can get 'X' lathe with 'Y' option but if you want 'Z' lathe its OOS or no dro or not metric, plastic not metal gears etc. 500w 600w not 740w motor not 1kw...brushed 500 not brushless 600 .

I'm interested is an Amadeal 210, not far off pressing the button and I won't disagree that the specs are similarly dispersed meaning a step up in price from the 7x14s.
But they are in stock.

I started with a respectable £1000 budget with tools... but after watching quite a few reviews on the smaller lathes its looking more like £1700. :-X
Title: Re: Small lathe recommendations
Post by: Squinty on May 07, 2022, 09:03:22 AM
Install completed . Cleaned up, bolted down and taking a break before checking alignment.
Still have extra lighting, couple of new sockets to get wired in...otherwise ready to rumble.

My neighbours are going to love me as its in the cubby under the stairs.
Although after silently suffering  3 years of house sharing EEs working rolling/rotating shifts 24/7....I reckon I'm allowed a little leeway  ;D ;D