lathes

[Kevstephenson7]

hi all
would love a bit of opinion from engineers out there.
its to do with metal lathes..
i have been running a small lathe for last few years now, has small spindle bore 20 mm. pretty simple, but effective and i have made loads of custom bike parts and other things on it.
i happened to get a good tax return this year and can afford something more substantial.

i really dont want to buy another lathe after what i get next, so here is the deal- asian made lathe single phase is what i can manage, two options 38 mm spindle bore or 52 mm. both have a 1000mm BC, both have DRO, and spindle brake, but the latter has x, y, and z, its also got a jogger button and wider bed, both have gap bed function about 500 swing.
the difference is the cost about $1000 more for larger spindle one.
in my heart of mechanical hearts i think the bigger version, but my sense of worth kicks in and says dont blow all your cash in one area! it would take all my dough. however, i see it (if i went for bigger version) as an investment in my future retirement years , and i wouldn't need to buy larger than 52 mm after that.. the work i do is variable, and you can make small stuff on a bigger lathe but not the reverse relatively speaking. i looked into used lathes but most are worn out adn generally 3 phase which i cannot use, at least not without a VFI, and even then the amps to my shed aint great!!
any thoughts? i am deep in thought lol..

[D-Fresh]

Can you post links/pics of the units you're considering?

[flyvertigo]

Very few engineers have run a lathe. Most good machinists could answer your questions. I have turned handles for 45 years. I prefer a small lathe for small work. A large lathe can do small work but it is difficult to do large work on a small lathe. Consider the work you want to do and buy a machine that will handle the work you want to do. Most machine shops have multiple lathes for different types of jobs.

[Smokescreens]

i have bought two lathes so far and i can tell you both times i wish i went bigger, lol. imo get the biggest most powerfull you can use and afford. if i buy another one it will be cnc ready or at least be ball screw for better accuracy as there is no lash.

[D-Fresh]

Gotta love ball screws! LOL

[Kevstephenson7]

thanks all,,
Smokes, yes cnc would be the way to go.. but not in my pocket money range adn i am not doing repetitive work. i just thought that bigger is better fora change,
ill post up some pics as requested tonight
$4650

Specifications
Model	FEL-1342
Distance Between Centres	1080mm
Centre Height	165mm
Swing Over Bed	330mm
Swing Over Gap Bed	470mm
Spindle Bore	38mm
Swing Over Cross Slide	180mm
Bed Width	181mm
Tool Height To Suit	12mm
Spindle Nose	D1-4/5mt
Spindle Speed Range	65-1810rpm
Cross Slide Travel	130mm
Compound Slide Travel	75mm
Longitudinal Feeds (mm/rev)	0.0527-1.2912mm/rev
Thread Cutting (Met)	0.4-7mm
Thread Cutting (Imp)	4-60TPI
Tailstock Taper	3mt
Tailstock Travel	100mm
Motor	2hp / 240v
Packing Details
Main Box	186x73x75cm
Stand 1	68x29x39cm
Stand 2	68x36x39cm

• Standard Accessories
  • 2-Axis Digital Readout X & Y
  • 3 Jaw Chuck ∅160mm
  • 4 Jaw Chuck ∅200mm
  • Centre Sleeve 5/3MT
  • 3MT Dead Centre
  • Face Plate
  • Foot Brake
  • Work Light
  • Stand
  • Oil Tray
  • Splash Guard
  • Coolant System
  • Change Gears (Met & Imp)
  • Lead Screw Guards
  • Safety Micro Stoppers
  • Chuck Guards
  • Steady Rest
  • Follow Rest

$5 400

Specifications
Model	FI-1000
Distance Between Centres	1000mm
Centre Height	179mm
Swing Over Bed	358mm
Swing Over Gap Bed	502mm
Spindle Bore	51mm
Swing Over Cross Slide	223mm
Bed Width	187mm
Tool Height To Suit	16mm
Spindle Taper	6MT
Spindle Speed Range	70-2000rpm
Cross Slide Travel	200mm
Compound Slide Travel	95mm
Longitudinal Feeds (mm/rev)	0.052-1.392mm/rev
Thread Cutting (Met)	0.4-7mm
Thread Cutting (Imp)	2.25-40TPI
Tailstock Taper	4mt
Tailstock Travel	100mm
Motor	2.5hp / 240v / 15amp

• Standard Accessories
  • 3-Axis Digital Readout X, Y & Z
  • 3 Jaw Chuck ∅200mm
  • 4 Jaw Chuck ∅200mm
  • Face Plate ∅320mm
  • Foot Brake
  • Work Light
  • Stand
  • Removable Oil Tray
  • Splash Guard
  • Coolant System
  • Change Gears (Met & Imp)
  • Lead Screw Guards
  • Safety Micro Stoppers
  • Chuck Guards
  • Steady Rest
  • Follow Rest
• Recommend Oil SAE50 85W-90 (Castol TFC 450)
• Packing Details
  • 1480 x 750 x 1930mm (H x W x D)
  • 650kg

[D-Fresh]

That is a tough one Kev! As Smokescreen stated above, most of the time you don't regret getting a bigger model but you might regret getting a smaller one. If you already have a smaller lathe it seems like the larger model would gain you more capabilities. Again, that is based on the type of work you may be doing. Some things to consider while making your decision:

- The machine is part of the total cost of ownership, you will have to purchase additional items (unless you already have them): Drill chuck, turning, threading & boring bits, etc.
- The spindle bore is 1.5" vs 2.0", do you usually turn stock that will need to be in the spindle bore?
- The tail stock & spindle taper are different, do you already have tooling that will fit either?
- The bigger model has that 3^rd axis on the readout, will you be doing any type of work that would make the 3^rd axis a “must” vs. a “nice to have” feature?
- Is shipping add'l to the purchase price, is that the same?
- I couldn't really tell if the footprint was much different, do you have an space constraints?
- Are there an reviews you can use to compare the two?
- As a personal preference, I like the spindle speed selector better on the larger model.

BTW, what company offers these machines? I wouldn't mind checking out the website.

Good luck on your decision, its a nice problem to have!

[Kevstephenson7]

thanks D fresh

- Drill chuck, turning, threading & boring bits, etc.got most of these
- The spindle bore is 1.5" vs 2.0", do you usually turn stock that will need to be in the spindle bore?not always but again can go larger but not always small so i thought do it once and do it right it'll probably be the last one i could afford
- The tail stock & spindle taper are different, do you already have tooling that will fit either? yes i have
- The bigger model has that 3^rd axis on the readout, will you be doing any type of work that would make the 3^rd axis a “must” vs. a “nice to have” feature? actually i am not bothered about the z axis really its just that this comes with the larger lathe= part of total package i would be happy with xy for lathe ops
- Is shipping add'l to the purchase price, is that the same" lucky for me the lathe is only a 15 minute drive away!!!
- I couldn't really tell if the footprint was much different, do you have an space constraints? nil space constraints
- Are there an reviews you can use to compare the two? actually no there isn't which is a shame
- As a personal preference, I like the spindle speed selector better on the larger model.

BTW, what company offers these machines? I wouldn't mind checking out the website. paramount browns in south australia ! where are you?

Good luck on your decision, its a nice problem to have! yes it is but its driving me nuts

i will think for a few more days and make my decision, i just wanted some back up permission to go ahead

[D-Fresh]

I'm in Ohio, USA. Are you "down under"?

[Kevstephenson7]

yep!!