Author Topic: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.  (Read 13712 times)

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10029
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #15 on: May 21, 2024, 07:57:00 AM »
I would also say buy new as there are likely to be some issues with any second hand machines that it sounds like you won't have the ability to put right.

Also health issues may restrict the time you have available so better spent making what you want than overhauling old machines.

The other lathe to look at would be a Sherline, Chris here has shown that it is more than capable of doing work to as similar quality that old industial and toolroom lathes can. Forget the 150 but consider the 250 as an option.

I built a Stuart 10V on an Emco Unimat 3 which is smaller than the 250 so it and the sherline will handle an engine that is basically 1/4 of a Holt. I had that lathe in the loft on a desk 600 x 1200 so your available space will also be OK for what is basically going to be a simple old school 1" bore watercooled 4 stroke.

Oh and forget about grinding up old files as cutting tools, OK for wood turning but not for metal, HSS is not expensive.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2024, 08:44:15 AM by Jasonb »

Offline Roger B

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6491
  • Switzerland
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2024, 10:03:02 AM »
As the OP says he does not have a credit card his choice of suppliers is limited. If Reichelt will supply against bank transfer that will give an option.

They seem to offer a suitable selection of chucks and accessories including the milling and driling head for EUR709.

Best regards

Roger

Offline Michael S.

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1506
  • Germany, Magdeburg
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2024, 11:29:10 AM »
I am very satisfied with the Optimum lathe and milling machine. Both machines have been in my workshop for over 10 years and have worked well.
I think if you want to start with the hobby, the machines are very robust. Maybe you can find something suitable in their online offer.

Michael


https://www.stuermer-maschinen.de/marken/optimum/kategorie/optimum-drehmaschinen-konventionell/

Offline gipetto

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 139
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #18 on: May 21, 2024, 02:33:26 PM »
I am open to buying from other sources if they accept bank transfer like reichelt does. that link does not contain any purchasing information.

the sherline seems to be made in the usa. that would make it very expensive to import as it's outside the eu. i have imported in the past and anything over 22.50 euro in value requires customs payments and comes with the risk of a tax audit as you are considered to be running a business.

Offline Vixen

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3354
  • Hampshire UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #19 on: May 21, 2024, 03:06:05 PM »
I am open to buying from other sources if they accept bank transfer like reichelt does. that link does not contain any purchasing information.

Contact them directly by email at      info(@)stuermer-maschinen.de      and ask about price, bank transfer and cost of shipping etc. etc.

You can see their website in English if you click EN in the top left corner of the page.

The OPTIturn TU 1503V  looks to be an ideal machine.

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10029
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #20 on: May 21, 2024, 04:28:02 PM »
Sherline have quite a few dealers in mainland Europe, try contacting them by email to see if they accept other means of payment than those on their web commerce pages.

https://www.sherline.com/sherline-worldwide-dealers/

Offline gipetto

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 139
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #21 on: May 21, 2024, 05:58:53 PM »
the sherline is almost twice the price of the optiturn,  maybe there's more accessories, not sure, but there seems to be a lot of import cost penalty, even through a european dealer. i sent a message about the optiturn anyway. i'm slow to buy accessories right now, as i don't know what they're for.

https://eu.robotshop.com/collections/sherline which sherline model on this page should i go for. i see one has a DRO. are they too inaccurate to be useful compared to a callipers or whatever the oldschool alternative is.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2024, 06:16:10 PM by gipetto »

Offline Jasonb

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10029
  • Surrey, UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #22 on: May 21, 2024, 06:21:28 PM »
Have a look at this thread, built on Sherline machines. I don't see any problems with accuracy. Certainly more capable than you will be with it for some time. Ask Chris which machine he suggests.

https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,11727.0.html

No need to get one with a DRO, spend the money on other more useful items.

Offline gipetto

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 139
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #23 on: May 22, 2024, 10:46:34 AM »

Contact them directly by email at      info(@)stuermer-maschinen.de      and ask about price, bank transfer and cost of shipping etc. etc.

You can see their website in English if you click EN in the top left corner of the page.

The OPTIturn TU 1503V  looks to be an ideal machine.

Mike

They got back to me with an irish dealer's website. they sent me some datasheets. they haven't the small lathe listed on their site as it is badly organised. a lot of sites run by older persons are like that but they can be good to do business with, i haven't asked them about bank transfer but they seem eager to sell. however they sell a lot of 4 jaw chucks there are individually clamping and tricentric thrilling. i guess the individually clamping is the one to go for.
I checked the sturmer site and i couldn't find a tail chuck for sale anywhere. does that mean i should go for a different model. have you recommended this lathe from experience or was it simply window shopping.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2024, 11:05:37 AM by gipetto »

Offline Vixen

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3354
  • Hampshire UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #24 on: May 22, 2024, 11:18:14 AM »
I have no personal experience of any of the Stuermer machines, however another MEM forum member, Michael S, is very satisfied with his lathe and milling machine. Why not contact Michael S directly, either by PM or on the forum, He is a great guy and will be happy to help you.

I am very satisfied with the Optimum lathe and milling machine. Both machines have been in my workshop for over 10 years and have worked well.
I think if you want to start with the hobby, the machines are very robust. Maybe you can find something suitable in their online offer.
Michael
https://www.stuermer-maschinen.de/marken/optimum/kategorie/optimum-drehmaschinen-konventionell/

The tailstock on the small lathe has a 1 MT (Morse taper). This is a very common size. A small 3 jaw chuck with a 1 MT spindle can be obtained from most tool suppliers. The 4 jaw chuck, intended to fit your chosen lathe, with individual clamping is the one to go for. Also ask your supplier about the cost of a set of lathe cutting tools of the correct size to fit the lathe.

Other than the headstock chucks and the smaller tailstock chuck and the lathe tools; I would hold off buying any other accessories for the moment. You can easily buy them at a later date, when you find out what you actually need.

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Michael S.

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1506
  • Germany, Magdeburg
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #25 on: May 22, 2024, 11:20:48 AM »
Optimum has a main catalogue.
There are also chucks there.

https://www.optimum-maschinen.de/

Michael

Offline Michael S.

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1506
  • Germany, Magdeburg
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #26 on: May 22, 2024, 11:34:27 AM »
When I started building steam engines, I only had an ancient lathe that was probably 100 years old. But it still worked and with a few tricks I could get a cylinder from the Stuart No. 1 to drill. I made all the other parts using a small lathe from the TIP hardware store. That's how I started. The old lathe could no longer be used for later projects.
Then there was an offer from Optimum for a lathe with a 750 mm center width. It was a size that you could do a lot with. At the time it cost €1,999.
It comes from China but is revised again in Germany. But now the quality should be even better.
At that time I could have gotten a similar German-made lathe ( Wabeco ) for almost €6,000.
Optimum is sufficient for my needs.

Greetings Michael
« Last Edit: May 22, 2024, 11:37:30 AM by Michael S. »

Offline Vixen

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3354
  • Hampshire UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #27 on: May 22, 2024, 12:44:38 PM »
Whatever lathe you chose to buy, the minimum starting requirements should include: a three jaw chuck, a tail stock three jaw chuck, a good set of lathe turning tools, a good set of drills and a centre drill bit. Everything else, including a 4 jaw chuck can wait until later.

Then buy some short lengths of 'free cutting' mild steel bar. Ask specifically for 'free cutting' steel, also some hard aluminium bar. Ask for 6084 (also called HE30). Practice turning these bars into piles of swarf. Learn all about feed rates and speeds and depth of cut. Remember several shallow cuts will give better and more accurate results than one 'super hero' cut.

The biggest mistake a beginner can make is to try and turn scrap materials of unknown origin. Such materials were usually intended for different end uses and are usually unsuitable for machining. The best advice is always to purchase stock materials intended for turning or machining.

The same goes for drills. Buy a new set, just for use with the lathe. do not rely on the old worn drills you find around the farm.

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Vixen

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3354
  • Hampshire UK
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #28 on: May 22, 2024, 02:29:11 PM »
I would buy the biggest lathe you can afford. You can make small and large stuff on a bigger lathe but you can only turn small stuff on the smallest lathes.

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline gipetto

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 139
Re: Is this lathe worth buying for constructing small engines.
« Reply #29 on: May 22, 2024, 02:50:21 PM »
I would buy the biggest lathe you can afford. You can make small and large stuff on a bigger lathe but you can only turn small stuff on the smallest lathes.

Mike

I'm not intending to run a business with this as my health is not great so larger stuff can go to engineering firms, as is currently the custom. actually my father has told me not to buy it, but the way i look at it is i have spent as much on more frivolous pursuits.

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal