Lathe & Mill for Model Steam Engines - £1,000 Budget

  • Thread starter Thread starter wolram
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for a suitable model maker's lathe and mill for constructing model steam engines, with a budget of £1,000. Participants share recommendations for specific models, sources for purchasing, and advice on what to consider when selecting equipment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks advice on an all-in-one lathe and mill suitable for making model steam engines, specifying dimensions and power requirements.
  • Another participant suggests a website that offers mills and lathes within the budget but notes uncertainty about shipping costs to the UK.
  • A participant warns against purchasing from Machine Mart, citing concerns about precision and usability, and recommends looking for specific models like Colchester Student or Myford 7.
  • Advice is given on checking the condition of second-hand lathes, particularly the flatness of the bed and the condition of the headstock bearings.
  • Recommendations for other brands such as Myford, Emco, and Southbend are provided, along with links to additional resources for tooling and parts.
  • One participant expresses relief after receiving recommendations, indicating dissatisfaction with previously considered options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of precision in selecting a lathe and mill, but there are multiple competing views regarding specific brands and sources. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best option within the budget.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various brands and models without consensus on a single best choice. There are also references to second-hand equipment, which may have varying conditions and prices.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in model making, particularly those focused on steam engines, as well as hobbyists looking for advice on purchasing lathes and mills within a budget.

wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
Messages
4,411
Reaction score
551
Can anyone help, i am looking for a model makers lathe, mill preferably
all in one, i intend to use it for the manufacture of model steam engines ,
i think the biggest dia part would be a 6inch flywheel and the longest shaft about 18inches, it would have to be 240v, bench mounting would be best
for me. I have 1,000 pounds to spend on every thing including tools, cutters etc.
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
I found http://www.tabletopmachineshop.com/store/index.php?shop=1&cart=113835 website which has mills and lathes in your price range. I don't know how much shipping to GB would run you though. You could shoot them an email with questions, I'm sure.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
enigma said:
I found http://www.tabletopmachineshop.com/store/index.php?shop=1&cart=113835 website which has mills and lathes in your price range. I don't know how much shipping to GB would run you though. You could shoot them an email with questions, I'm sure.

Thanks Enigma, i wish we had such stores in the uk, i will ask the question.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Wooly, I've been researching lathes for a while now, have a desire to make little steam engines. Am looking into a nightclass at the local college at the moment, but that's by the by.

Stay WELL away from anything in Machine Mart, it just won't give you anywhere near the precision you want. You'll struggle with it, and get frustrated that it's a piece of rubbish. They advertise things like screw cutting (for making threads etc), and technically do include these features but in such a basic form that they're unusable.

You want to be looking out for a little Colchester Student or Myford 7, anything of that ilk.

Give me a while and I'll try and remember where I found an excellent guide to buying second hand lathes, - gives you everything to look out for. In particular you want to make sure that the bed is absolutely flat, and not worn down, and that the bearings in the headstock are sound (they're easily replacable, but it gives a good indication as to the quality of the rest of the less accessible parts).

I will also PM you the name of a nice chap we supply who deals in second hand machine tools, and who will keep an eye out for anything you're particularly after.
 
Wolram,
If you're in the UK then check out this site. http://www.lathes.co.uk/page3.html

I would recommend either a Myford, Emco or a Southbend 9" or 10". Many of these can be had in your price range and include much tooling. These lathes can be set up with many special attachments, like milling vises and a whole host of other neat stuff. Check out this seller of tooling, also in the UK:
http://www.hemingwaykits.com/acatalog/sitemap.html

These guys are in the US but have some neat tooling kits too:
http://www.sc-c.com/metallathe/index.html

I've got several of these midsized tools and am constantly acquiring parts and tooling, mostly through E-bay, (another good place to look for these things as there are a number of folks selling from the UK on there and the prices for shipping the smaller items like tooling isn't prohibitive, at least not coming to the US ).
 
Wow, thanks Brewey, Michael E, you have made my day, i was looking at
the M Mart lathe, and thought yuk, and had all most given up.
 

Similar threads

Making a CPU waterblock using a mill?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Why is the U-2 nicknamed the Dragon Lady?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K