Toolex CH-350-LM Lathe/Mill Combo

[Builderrhys]

Hello Everyone,
Would like some input from those who know on the above mentioned Lathe/Mill combo to be used for the hobbyist. I will mainly be using it in the garage to aid in the auto and motorcycle hobbies, you know chase threads, clean things up, small fabs, etc... I cannot find much on the forums or net on this thing. Here is the link to the add:

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-equipment-Metal-lathe-and-milling-machine-W0QQAdIdZ299243494

 

[r6_cannibal]

i'm not familiar with that particular machine, but combo units tend to do both things with ok results but will not be great at either. for home/hobby stuff that unit should work fine, but the price is really high. 1800 will get you a pretty good lathe and a small hobby mill with a much larger table.

 

[930dreamer]

You might look here.

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/index.php

 

[Steevo]

I don't know how hard they are to find in Ontario, but older lathes (50's to 70's) by good American makers like Logan, Atlas, Clausing and South Bend can be found for well under $1000 here, and a decent Mill/Drill for $450-$600 on the used market.
I got my Craftsman/Atlas 12x36 lathe for $600 and my Asian Mill/Drill for another $600, and both came with a decent amount of tooling. These two can do more than any single small lathe/mill combo can, but they won't fit in the same small space that a combination machine can, so if space is a big piece of the equation, then one of those combo's is a decent compromise, if reasonably priced.

 

[PECVD2]

We have the Grizzly version in our lab at work.

We had to buy this xy table to remove the mill head and separate the two tools.

Why??? because with a decent vise on the translation table and jacobs chuck or even collets you get about 2-3 inches of clearance for material/parts thickness. We could have made a static table for that set on the lathe beam but just didnt.

I think you will be happy with it but as others have said it is pricey.

 

[Builderrhys]

Thanks All,
From some GJ members I was able to track it down a bit further and get the manuals. Much appreciated. I did get the price down to $700.00 so I think I will go for it. Pretty good interchange on tooling and parts. Made in Taiwan by Chung Hsiwh Industries Co. Ltd.:

http://www.chunghsiwh.com/product/16235.html

Too bad it was not made in North America!!!!! The following parts also come with the machine:

 

[John in OH]

As Steevo points out, a separate lathe and mill will work rings around a combo unit, but for only $700 it's probably worth a try. If you don't like it you can always sell it and recover most, if not all, of your $700 investment.

I assume that in Canada most of your machine threads are metric so make sure the set of change gears that are show are for metric threads.

Also, check the swing over the lathe carriage to make sure it will provide enough swing for your intended work ... often combo units have very limited swing.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

As Steevo points out, a separate lathe and mill will work rings around a combo unit, but for only $700 it's probably worth a try. If you don't like it you can always sell it and recover most, if not all, of your $700 investment.

I assume that in Canada most of your machine threads are metric so make sure the set of change gears that are show are for metric threads.

Also, check the swing over the lathe carriage to make sure it will provide enough swing for your intended work ... often combo units have very limited swing.

I work in the Mould and tooling industry and I have never seen a metric threaded machine yet. Not to say they don't exist, just never seen one.

Also, every machine I've seen and used has had imperial units on the dials.

 

[Builderrhys]

I think I am good with the metric thing (Us Goofy Canucks with that crazy metric system eh!!!!!!!!!!) it shows 0.25 to 1.5 mm and 12-52 TPI for thread cutting. That`s the spare gears in the one picture. Thanks for the input guys, viva the Gj, regards, Rhys.