New lathe purchase?

[halcyon0]

Hello All.

I am thinking of purchasing a lathe for tinkering and small projects at home.
I ran across a Colchester student/engine lathe. It is a 13x40 lathe built in 2004 with a Dorian tool post and a collet closer for $4k. It looks to be in good condition and operates fine.

Is $4k worth it?

Any ideas for projects that I could do with it?

Cheers!

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Hello All.

I am thinking of purchasing a lathe for tinkering and small projects at home.
I ran across a Colchester student/engine lathe. It is a 13x40 lathe built in 2004 with a Dorian tool post and a collet closer for $4k. It looks to be in good condition and operates fine.

Is $4k worth it?

Any ideas for projects that I could do with it?

Cheers!

Can't comment on the price, I'm not too up to date on lathe values right now, but the Colchester student lathes were pretty good machines, and 13x40 is a nice size for a home shop. Does it come with much tooling and accessories?

As far as what projects to do with it...come on man, you don't want us to take all the fun from you! Once you get your feet wet a bit with some lathe work, you will be amazed at the sort of things you suddenly "find" that need to be turned on your lathe.

 

[halcyon0]

Thanks for the info! It doesn't come with any tooling or collets. Just the lathe, collet closer, and tool post.

 

[sharkytm]

Well then, you'll be dropping close to another grand in tooling... Its up to you in the end, but the price seems high to me unless its in really amazing shape.

 

[halcyon0]

It is in really good shape. Is the price too high even if it is in really good shape?

 

[sharkytm]

Its hard to say... Pricing for heavy equipment like that is extremely variable.