Precision Lathe

[Jo]

You still have not introduced yourself to the members   .

Have you considered a Sherline?

I think Sherline is suitable for woodworking!

Have you seen what Chris is making on his Sherline? : https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,10250.msg233287.html#msg233287 Its a bit more than woodwork 

Jo

[crueby]

Yes, a Sherline is capable of a heck of a lot more than woodworking - I've made quite a few very large steam engines with it, flywheels up to 8" diameter, parts down very small.
Is it as rigid as a lathe weighing hundreds of pounds? Of course not. Is it capable of turning small parts like the original post asked about? Of course it is. With proper skill, a spring-pole lathe can do wondrous things too, all depends on the user. I would not pick one for mass producing aircraft turbines or full size automotive engines - scale of tool to part is everything.

It can do this though - 100+ pounds, 4 two-cylinder steam engines, boiler, tracks, frame, 4-1/2 feet long:

Woodworking only, my ass!  I'd take one over a Proxxon any day.

[Dan Rowe]

If a Sherline is big enough but lacks power and rigid mass then look here:

https://levinlathe.com/menu.htm

I have a Levin with a 3C headstock so it can pass 1/2" round stock. I actually have it powered with a Sherline motor and consider it all the power I need.

Check here to see my house shop with a Levin lathe and a Derbyshire Micromill, both machines designed small production work.
https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,9872.msg224736.html#msg224736

Dan

[Jo]

I like that little Levin

Not cheap but it is an instrument maker's lathe and as I have said before: you get what you pay for 

Jo

[Flyboy Jim]

It's always interesting to me how the people that write off Sherline machines as being inadequate are always people that have never used one or have never even really looked around to see what folks like Chris have done with theirs.

To the OP: You seem pretty well set on the Wabeco D-4000, so it might be best to move beyond the "analysis paralysis" and get one and get to work on your project.  I'm sure it's a fine machine.

Jim

PS: I haven't seen any mention of Cowells lathes in this conversation. Other than what Jo and Bill Lindsey have talked theirs, I know nothing about them.

[Jo]

PS: I haven't seen any mention of Cowells lathes in this conversation. Other than what Jo and Bill Lindsey have talked theirs, I know nothing about them.

There used to be a rather long waiting list for a new Cowells lathe, I think Bill mentioned he managed to get his within 6 months of the original order They are a very, very nice little lathe  Little C gets regularly used. Its another of those lathes where the saddle is "fixed" on the lead screw so there can be a lot of winding to move the carriage anywhere.

Jo

[xzsawq21]

Why have many people reported defects in the WABECO D4000?

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq5tBf9x7Bk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq5tBf9x7Bk</a>
https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=115245

Hello, I've bought famous German Wabeco D4000 Lathe custom made had to wait 3months, but the quality is very bad. Look at defective hand wheels from china

Look same handwheels in china http://archive.is/HL7H3

I'm fed up with their support that answes once a week!

After this reply I'm stumped

"I contact our technician again.
Kindly send us pictures of the spare parts and describe what is wrong.
For example you claim that part 24 16073430003014 is not correct.
This is a DIN part and canīt be wrong."

I emailed requested replace parts:

- TRAVERSE SKID manual page 18.8

- PART 16 10400454
- PART 17 10400433
- PART 20 51004035-0010
- PART 23 51507023-0001
- PART 24 16073430003014
- PART 33 10400406

- LONGITUDINAL SKID manual page 18.10

- PART 5  10400501
- PART 20 51004035-0010
- PART 45 10400519
- PART 46 10400528
- PART 52 51507023-0001
- PART 53 16073430003014
- PART 57 10400508

- TAILSTOCK manual page 18.11

- PART 6 (51006550-0003) and 20 (51502517) Together PART 8 (10400624)
- PART 11 (51004035-0012) PART 21 (51507023-0001) PART 22
- 16073430003014

- TOOL SKID LOCK PLATE manual page 18.9

- PART 22 (51006555-0021)
- PART 33 (10400433)
- PART 27 (51004035-0011)
- PART 31 (16073430003024)

Afterwads 22 days of silence from Wabeco. It has been 5 years since no parts arrived no communication with the reputable german seller. Lathe is not used.

[Jo]

It is good manners to introduce yourself and tell us about your interest in making model engines before you start trying to gain from the members experience and knowledge.

Jo

[Laurentic]

Don't think xzsawq21 is listening Jo, or understanding what you are writing - so far it seems none of your questions have been answered.

Not impressed. Not a courteous mode of conduct on what is a very friendly and helpful forum. 

Doesn't exactly encourage anyone to comment or make suggestions to help further - very bad form indeed. 

Chris

[Jasonb]

Don't think xzsawq21 is listening Jo, or understanding what you are writing - so far it seems none of your questions have been answered.

I would think English is not the OP's first language so quite possibly not understanding. It's also quite clear they have no interest in making engines so can't post about that but have probably come here in the hope that our members are the type who use the Wabeco machines.

This is also the only forum where I find such forcible requests for an intro. 99% of first posts I approve are not intro ones and at least 75% of those new members probably don't subsequently post any form of intro

[Jo]

This is also the only forum where I find such forcible requests for an intro. 99% of first posts I approve are not intro ones and at least 75% of those new members probably don't subsequently post any form of intro

I don't think that asking is forcible: there was no threat attached to either request. We do not approve people's first posts we do monitor what is going on to make sure none of the members are being antagonistic or trying to wind up other members. The advantage of having members introduce themselves is that other members understand their background and capabilities. This means they will answer the new member taking this into account and over time through watching them make things get to know their true capabilities, enabling them to respond accordingly.

Take the OP - I suspect they have no experience or interest in making model engines and that they are looking to set up a small commercial jobbing shop. I also suspect that they have limited machining experience and this is why they are unable to join in with the conversation about the lathe requirements. They were asked where they came from and did not respond, this means we cannot suggest what lathes are actually available in their country. If we knew they were trying to converse in a different language that their mother language that would also account for their abrupt responses, which may otherwise cause offence.

Jo

[Jasonb]

I did post where they are based (#18) and that is why I said English is unlikely to be their native one.

[Jo]

Its for new members to provide their own introduction and any details they think might be relevant  .

Jo

[Kim]

I would think English is not the OP's first language so quite possibly not understanding. It's also quite clear they have no interest in making engines so can't post about that but have probably come here in the hope that our members are the type who use the Wabeco machines.

This is also the only forum where I find such forcible requests for an intro. 99% of first posts I approve are not intro ones and at least 75% of those new members probably don't subsequently post any form of intro

True, most other forums don't request members to post intros.  But that IS part of our culture on MEM.  It's something that's been a part of the forum since it was started, and I think it's a nice thing.  I LIKE that this forum isn't like most other forums

Do you really think asking someone to introduce themselves is too much, Jason?  It doesn't take that much effort and it lets people know a little about you.  You don't have to share info you don't want to, and you don't have to write anything lengthy.  But it's just one of our traditions on MEM.  If you think it is overburdensome, maybe we should have that discussion.  But I've never heard the issue brought up before in the last 9-10 years this site has been around.  And it seems like a fairly reasonable and distinctive feature of our forum.  I think it's one of the things that helps keep us civil, allowing us to get to know each other a bit and all.

Kim

[Jasonb]

Hard for new members to know what the forum culture is unless they have been lurking for a long time.

It is not so much the asking but the way that I quiet often see it being asked. Take post #28 for example effectively saying the person is bad mannered when they simply may not have been able to understand what was being asked is hardly welcoming.