I just got a new lathe....

[Shed tuner]

...now when I say new, I mean new to me. It's still 50 years old, but it has a proper set of backgears so i can do screwcutting, micrometer dials, laterally adjustable tailstock, a stready, a 4 jaw, and a ton of other "modern" developments my old Winfield didn't

Oh, and an angle plate with vertical slide so it can be used as a horizinal mill.

The airgun world is now my oyster... well, it will be once I've set it all up properly.

[mdunn]

I'm sure it will get plenty of work.Atb mick

[T 20]

Is it as good as my Student, Jon ?

[look no hands]

So what beginners lathe would you guys recommend please for just making Delrin guides and small metal parts.

Pete

[Edtwozeronine]

Is it this one?

[Shed tuner]

So what beginners lathe would you guys recommend please for just making Delrin guides and small metal parts.

Pete

I'm going to be selling my little hobbymatt MD65. Too far for you, but it's a populare mini-lathe. To be honest, for that kind of work in delrin, and light steel/brass, even the cheap chinese mini-lathes are probably fine. Warco are just down the raod from me, and I regular scan their used section for a 180, but I got impatient and this one came up for a very fair price.

[severnsider]

So what beginners lathe would you guys recommend please for just making Delrin guides and small metal parts.

Pete

I was lucky enough to buy a Prazimat/Hobbymat MD65 at a sensible price (£200) from a responsible person several years ago and find it very good for the type of things you describe - particularly if space is limited. However, these have been out of production for years, are becoming expensive and it doesn't take much for a ham-fisted operator to ruin them. Threadcutting can be done if you're careful, but it's not well-suited to doing so. If you can find a good one that might be a useful way to go, but you'll probably find that you'll soon outgrow it and want something better. I keep looking at the Warco range.......

[Antoni]

I use a tired but serviceable Hobbymat Universal 65 with its simple constant speed motor and stepped pulleys.

I bought it for a modest price 12 years ago from a bod who had replaced it with a new Chinese electronic speed controller job. At that time I wondered if his choice was wise.

Lathes last for decades but in my experience Chinese electronics lasts for months. Does anyone have experience of the reliability or otherwise of Chinese speed control systems?

[les allam]

Nice one Jon
I hope you have plenty of fun with your new Lathe.
I would like a lathe,once we move next year.
Atb
Les..

[Born Again]

Is it as good as my Student, Jon ?

I always wondered why they called such a capable machine the "Student". I have something similar, the Harrison M300, recommended.

[DEAN C.]

I always wondered why they called such a capable machine the "Student". I have something similar, the Harrison M300, recommended.

Had my mk1 student for 27 years and wouldn't part with it for anything. Perfect size for airguns and car/motorbike/tractor bits

[hmangphilly]

I always wondered why they called such a capable machine the "Student". I have something similar, the Harrison M300, recommended.

Forget milling on the lathe Jon . The rigidity isn't there .

They make a dedicated machine for milling . Forgotten what it's called though

[Shed tuner]

Forget milling on the lathe Jon . The rigidity isn't there .

They make a dedicated machine for milling . Forgotten what it's called though

Too many pro's on this site Yeah, this is just for the odd thing in alli / brass. No heavy work. I'm currently using my little hobbymatt for milling Trust me this is a big step up...

[T 20]

I always wondered why they called such a capable machine the "Student". I have something similar, the Harrison M300, recommended.

My Student is my go to lathe for most work jobs but I also have a Roundhead Triumph with a four foot long bed for bigger jobs.



All the best Mick

[Shed tuner]

Is it as good as my Student, Jon ?

no it's better - it weights about 200kgs all up, not 2000 tonne