which lathe

[Southern SailorParticipant @southernsailor76583]

Hi all,

I have a simple question.  Is it possible to build an efficient model marine steam engine using a modelling lathe (210mm between centres) and milling attachment on the lathe?  Or does it require a more substantial machine?

[Gerald Gardiner 1Participant @geraldgardiner1]

Hi Brian,

You can certainly build a model marine engine on a small lathe. As to it being Efficient, you will have to define what you mean by that ?

Regards,

Gerald

[Southern SailorParticipant @southernsailor76583]

Hi Gerald,

Thank you for your reply.  I have a choice between buying a machine from Chester Machines or Clarke Machines by email from the UK, which I will not have seen except on the website, or purchasing a lathe and milling machine separately in Cape Town.  The former two options are 210 mm combination lathe/milling machines and the latter are Optimum machines (lathe is 300mm c to c).  While the former’s prices is somewhat less, the transport cost and import duty could make them closer to the price of the locally available option.  The Optimum mc certainly looks quite a bit sturdier.

What I mean by efficient is can you machine metal to the degree of accuracy on a 210 modelling lathe as you can on, say a 300 mm machine? 

Regards

Brian

[Gerald Gardiner 1Participant @geraldgardiner1]

I am not familiar with ether of these machines (I am in Canada), I think the difference between the 210mm and the 300mm is the distance between the headstock centre and the tail-stock centre. My experience with some of the combination lathe/mill units has not been that good, and I would chose separate a lathe and mill. Make sure that whichever units you get that you can buy accessories for them. I have seen one small lathe offered that you could not buy a four jaw chuck for (if you have the option and can only get one chuck get a four jaw chuck before a three jaw one). you would also be better if you run into problems buying locally, also you think the local one is more sturdier which is always good.

Regards,

Gerald

[Mike GibbonsParticipant @mikegibbons]

Hi Brian,

I agree with Gerald, it is completely feasible to build a model steam engine on a small lathe.  Small engineering quality lathes are capable of producing work to extremely fine limits. Many years ago I saw the late Jim King demonstrating at the MEE, making, if I remember rightly, a Stuart 10 engine on a small Cowel lathe.

The real limiting factor is the size of the engine you wish to make; that is, will the largest parts fit onto the lathe.  If you consider engines the size Peter Arnots’ V2 or V4 oscilating engines, you should have no problems on a 210mm between centres lathe.  

Regards

Mike

[Southern SailorParticipant @southernsailor76583]

Thanks for that Mike.  I have been away for a time so have only seen your reply now.  The Optimum range is German origin and the machines look very solid.  They are also available locally (imported by a local agent who has the necessary spares etc.).  My feeling is that I must bite the bullet and go for this option although it is quite an expense.  Things going the way they are in SA, having a local agent is probably worth a lot in money, time and frustration.

Thanks all for your input.

Regards

Brian

[Southern SailorParticipant @southernsailor76583]

[Eric Moffat 1Participant @ericmoffat1]

Brian, sorry again, still late, if you haven’t yet settled on a lathe, there is one available closer to home and I think at a better price than the lathe/mill combo by Chester and identical. Try the Hafco, from machineryhouse.com.au

cheers

Eric

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