More lathe stuff, what is this one worth? (Herless)

[sssgtr]

^ exactly why I'm going to pull the top plate off and make sure there isn't anymore sand sitting in the bottom.

[sssgtr]

Just picked up 20L of Omnilube 68 (ISO 68 circulating oil) from All Things Oil down the road from work, $88 all up.

Same stuff as Mobil DTE Heavy Medium; except Petrogas wanted $120 for 20L for the Mobil branded stuff. Fail.

Word of advise for those with geared head mills / lathes, budget about $100 for doing an oil change, and you'll have plenty left for the next 5 ish oil changes on both machines. You can't buy this stuff in 5L containers, which is ass.

[gxxr]

If there's a green goanna in that neck of the woods, they do decant and repackage. You'll get a hefty mark-up for the potential storage saving.

[JZK25]

That lathes got 99 problems.

[takai]

Yeah, i didnt buy that lathe. Got a H&F 300mm one instead.

[ALLMTR]

How are you finding the h&f one?

[ALLMTR]

http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec...ng-lathe_c2461

thoughts?

[dave1600]

I've got one (well, the Hare and Forbes equivalent anyway - the AL60).

When I was looking to buy a lathe, I thought it was just a little more solid and well built than the slightly cheaper generic "9X20" chinese lathes. According to H&F website, it weighs 160kg as opposed to 105kg for the slightly smaller ones (not sure what's included when they weigh them though). And the extra inch of swing doesn't hurt.

Keep in mind that although its only a few hundred more expensive, they keep costs down by throwing in less extras - mine didn't come with a 4 jaw chuck, or a tailstock drill chuck for instance - which were included in the price of the cheaper ones.

I've had mine for a few years now and the only problem I've had is that the compound slide is held on with 4 screws that tend to work loose over time. I just don't seem to be able to get them tight enough with just a slotted screwdriver. I keep meaning to get some decent bolts to replace the machine screws, just haven't got around to it yet.

Also, being less common, they don't have the huge following of people that like to modify their cheap little lathes with all kinds of goodies and home-made stuff (but then again, the only modification I've done so far is fit a quick change toolpost).

So yeah, I like mine . Ohh, and they're $20 cheaper at Hare and Forbes, and from the link you posted, you seem to get more with it (fixed and travelling steadies seem to be optional extras at Carbatec and included at H&F for instance).

A couple of times I've thought it would be nice to have a larger lathe, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

[takai]

Mine is going great guns. But it is tons bigger than that Carbatec.

I have a H&F AL320G

[dave_vic_ozz]

Mine is going great guns. But it is tons bigger than that Carbatec.

I have a H&F AL320G

I bought a mate one of these a few years ago. He did an engine, would not take my money, I dropped a lathe off, we both win.

Head stock is spot on true. It must be a Wednesday morning Lathe after everyone was threatened with jail. It can be a little hit and miss so I am told.

Nice and cheap. You have to take small cuts and you need to progress up in drill sizes.

WD40 and Lanolin are a must.

You can get cheaper on the net but H&F keep parts on the shelf. I crashed the thread gears, popped in the H&F and replacements 2 minutes later. Worth the few dollars more to have the local warranty.