NEW Lathe in prospect

[brurobas]

Good afternoon,

I decided to change my 7 x 14 OPTIMUM lathe for a bigger one and i found this one.

NUTOOL MC550W

HEIGHT OF THE BENCH - 110mm
DISTANCE BETWEEN POINTS - 550mm
FLY - 220mm
MORSE TAPER - MC-3
SPEED SHAFT - 6 speeds. 120 a 2000 rpm
No OF METRIC THREADS - 11
SCALE - 0,4-3 mm
MAX. ANGLE OF ROTATION OF THE SLIDING SUPPORT - 45º
MAX. TRANSVERSE DISPLACEMENT OF THE MEDIUM - 70
ENGINE - 230V, 50Hz, 550w
DIMENSIONS - 1250/570 / 560

Is this lathe more appropriate for pipemaking than the one i have now?

My doubt comes from the fact that it comes with a 4'' 3 Jaw Chuck and that is the same i have on my OPTIMUM.

Is it possible to buy larger ( in diameter ) chucks and use them on this lathe?

Thank you in advance.

Regards

Bruno

[brurobas]

Well, today i managed to sell my Lathe and because of that i am going to invest in a bigger lathe than this one.

I am looking at several 9 x 20 Lathes and i am between two models. The diference betweeen these two variable speed lathes is that the speed changes in one is made through an electronical variable speed dial and in the other one is made through a lever type mechanism.

My question is if this is relevant. I mean, should i worry about the electronical speed dial or is this a better solution?

Regards

Bruno

[caskwith]

Personally I prefer mechanical speed adjustment, less to go wrong and easier to fix.

[brurobas]

Thank you for your answer Chris.

I finally decided and ordered one of the following UK Lathes:

http://www.chestermachinetools.com/products/detail/9



It was a great deal for me since we don't get a lot of good used lathes here in Portugal and when we do they are incredibly expensive.

Now for a two week of anxious waiting...

Regards

Bruno

[Ocelot55]

Looks like quite a piece of equipment. Congrats!

[WCannoy]

Thank you for your answer Chris.

I finally decided and ordered one of the following UK Lathes:

(snip)

It was a great deal for me since we don't get a lot of good used lathes here in Portugal and when we do they are incredibly expensive.

Now for a two week of anxious waiting...

Regards

Bruno

Wow! I'd probably sell both kidneys for one of those!

[caskwith]

I have heard good things about those chester lathes.

[brurobas]

I read lots of things about this lathe. It seems that at least 5 companies in the UK carry it, with some diferences between them.

After analyzing everything and because i was very well informed by Tony from Chester i decided to make the order.

This one cost me € 1300 with the following specs and extras:

Distance between Centres 550mm
Swing over Bed 250mm
Swing over Crosslide 145mm
Width of Bed 135mm
Taper of Spindle Bore MT4
Spindle Bore 26mm
Number of Spindle Speeds Variable
Range of Spindle Speeds 50~2500rpm
Range of Longitudinal Feeds 0.07-0.20mm/r
Range of Inch Threads 8-56T.P.I
Range of Metric Threads 0.2-3.5mm
Top Slide Travel 50mm
Crosslide Travel 115mm
Tailstock Quill Travel 70mm
Taper of Tailstock Quill MT2
Motor 1200w
Packing Size (LxWxH) 1150x1350x570mm
Net Weight 120kgs

FEATURES:
Digital Spindle Speed Readout
'T' Slotted Crosslide
Hardened and Ground Vee Bedways
Offset Tailstock
Variable Spindle Speed
Metric & Imperial Thread Cutting
Longitudinal Power Feed
Cast Iron Construction

STANDARD ACCESSORIES:
125mm 3-JawChuck
125mm 4-Jaw Chuck
Fixed & Travelling Steadies
Faceplate
Machine Tray
Rear Splash Guard
Lathe Tool Set
Chip Guard
Manual & Parts List
Change Gears

What really made me decide was the inclusion of a 125mm 4 jaw independent chuck and the motor power, 1200w...

Only 2 weeks...