Lathe/milling advice

[Liftoff]

Hi there, was wondering if there's any one over here who could give me some advice with regards to purchasing a smallish lathe for hobby use.
The main reason I want to get one being I lost access to the Colchester master I used to use for all the bits and pieces I needed

I've had a look at local ones but most are of the larger types being over 1000mm between centres, and costing well over my budget. I came across a website in the UK which do ship abroad...
http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-lathes-metalworking-lathe-machine/302934-wm290-variable-speed-lathe-wm-290-vf.html

This type looks perfectly suited for my needs , the size is right, chuck and spindle size is good, DRO is also handy and it can take a milling attachment.....but the brand, hmmm, I'venever heard about it so I guess its something made in China!
Anyone got some experience of these guys and their machines or any other brands I could check out or consider?

[mightymouse]

Chris,

Warco have a good name in the model engineering world and the lathe is pretty well equipped. I like the 160mm chuck, tells me that it is pretty sturdy.......but for £2400 I would expect that.

It is probably made in China, but isn't everything now.....

http://www.chestermachinetools.com/c...the-3979-p.asp

A similar machine to the Colchester Master but a bit cheaper - no DRO though.

Trev

[typhoon_driver]

Depends on what you want to machine. I would highly recommend looking at the denford orac lathe. Old CNC lathes that are mechanically sound with ball screws on each axis. Can usually pick one up for a grand. Electronics can be iffy so a retrofit is advised.

[Liftoff]

I won't be earning my living from the lathe, that's for sure! just want it as I do like machining work, and it's really handy for a person like me who's always coming up with ideas and designs which can't be handled with a simple hacksaw and a file!

But I have my limitations, never handled a cnc lathe so I'd feel slightly uncomfortable getting one...feel more at home with the manual types so I'll better stick to them

That crusader lathe looks well specd Trev, would like it even better if they threw in a 4 jaw with the lot!....But then it's £400 cheaper...
Had a look at ebay earlier on and I found two other lathes which look really similar, if not identical to the Warco...so I guess that they are of Chinese origin and renamed...not that it matters much from where it comes as long as it does the job.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bernardo-P...item1e7d4b7f63

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-AMAP29...item53ee75299f

So far I'm liking the Warco, they offer more tools with the machine and quoted me a delivery of £380 to Malta...will do some more research and shop around a bit more before I take a decision....hmmm, depending on whether it gets approved or not by the bank "manager" !