Quote:
Originally Posted by dooner02
hi, i bought a german built hobbymat a couple of years ago to machine up some bushes and a few other jobs. great piece of kit, very sevicable. it even has an attachment for milling jobs. ebay bargain £250. look after it and you will get all your money back when you sell it on. I would avoid cutting steel with it though, just not sturdy enough and will prob. wear the bearings and gears very quickly. avoid modern chinese ones, they are not accurate at all, run-out being a major problem.
for bigger jobs why not get freindly with a local firm they will be more than happy to do odd jobs for pocket money and may even let you loose on it yourself for a bacon buttie or two!
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My only local engineering firm is owned by a right miserable sod so that's out. I've just noticed this thread today. It's a bit late for me to take your advice about chinese lathes because I've got one being delivered tomorrow.
I've ordered a 7x14 with 4" 3 jaw chuck, 500w motor, 4" 4jaw independant chuck, cutting tools, tailstock chuck, fixed steady and live centre. Cost new is £530 so I'm relatively happy with that.
I haven't done much turning since I was an apprentice 36 years ago but I'll post up a review after I've done a few jobs.
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