Info on Comm lathes?

[Mark McCulloch]

I'm looking into buying a lathe and i'm just wondering what is better? V-blocks or one that runs on bearings? and also if you get a diamond tip should these last a while or do they still need replacing eventually aswell?

Thanks for any help

Mark

[MattW]

V blocks. They won't wear (as much) and hence you will get a much more consistant cut. Personally i would also get a diamond. Properly looked after they will last for years.

[marcoski]

V blocks are more accurate than bearings, and diamond tips last a long, long time - if you don't have an accident and chip it!

<God Matt is quick at times ;D >

[Mark McCulloch]

Thanks for the quick responses guys, how much would it cost for a hudy diamond tip? And is there anywhere that services second hand lathes or should it be allright as it is?

Mark

[marcoski]

Hudy tips are around the £50 mark

[MattW]

What do you mean by servicing?? My cobra is about 10 years old and has only been cleaned, tip set from new and gibs adjusted as necessary only when it had got really loose.

[Mark McCulloch]

Thanks again, think that should be me sorted instead of having to go and beg folk to skim for me!

Mark ;D

[Mark McCulloch]

I was meaning just if they can get out of line? i have no experience with a lathe at all so i dont really know what i'm talking about as you can tell! But from what you say it sounds like you can line everything up urself, is this the case?

Mark

[marcoski]

All the adjustments are there on the Hudy for each slide way and to eliminate any backlash on the feed screw. The way the block assemblys clamp to the bed usually means that the lathe will cut true. If yo ever take them off, make sure the mating surfaces are absolutely clean when you reassemble it. A precision engineer would have the necessary guages to check if the lathe does cut true.