Post by Tim Bayliss on Sept 8, 2005 10:02:57 GMT
Having noticed that there have been negative remarks about some UK machine tool suppliers I thought I would pass on my own experience with Chester.
I have owned a Chester Craftsman lathe and a small H80 bandsaw for about 18 months and a Conquest mini-mill for just over a year.
The reason I bought Asian was simply price, knowing full well that you get what you pay for. To purchase any such machine tools here in Ireland is prohibitively expensive, which must be why there aren't many indigenous model engineers here. After phoning around I chose Chester because they had some great deals on the equipment I wanted and their delivery charge was negligible.
The equipment was out of stock when I ordered but the delivery dates quoted turned out to be about right and although I assumed I would have to pay a fair bit up front only a nominal deposit was needed with the balance being required on dispatch. The local Irish carriers made every effort to sabotage the delivery but Chester kept the pressure on and everything turned up safely.
Subsequently I have purchased some consumables and required a replacement part for the mini-mill (under quarantee) and their service has been faultless. I had a few teething troubles with the machines (mostly my own fault!) that were dealt with in a friendly and patient manner.
The H80 bandsaw is a great little tool and an asset to a small workshop. The lathe is actually better than expected. I relocated the threading dial to the proper place at the rear of the apron and made a false nose for the spindle to accept Myford chucks, etc. (the supplied chucks are too big for smaller stuff).I part off with a home made rear tool post. I now have an accurate and adaptable lathe with good capacity.
The mini-mill has adequate capacity and is accurate enough for my needs but the method of downfeed (the whole headstock moves rather than the quill) is not the best arrangement. This is the same for all similar mini-mills from other suppliers so is not a Chester specific complaint. I think any boring will be done on the lathe.
These have been my personal experiences and I outline them here simply to give prospective purchasers another point of view.
Good luck and good turning,
Tim
I have owned a Chester Craftsman lathe and a small H80 bandsaw for about 18 months and a Conquest mini-mill for just over a year.
The reason I bought Asian was simply price, knowing full well that you get what you pay for. To purchase any such machine tools here in Ireland is prohibitively expensive, which must be why there aren't many indigenous model engineers here. After phoning around I chose Chester because they had some great deals on the equipment I wanted and their delivery charge was negligible.
The equipment was out of stock when I ordered but the delivery dates quoted turned out to be about right and although I assumed I would have to pay a fair bit up front only a nominal deposit was needed with the balance being required on dispatch. The local Irish carriers made every effort to sabotage the delivery but Chester kept the pressure on and everything turned up safely.
Subsequently I have purchased some consumables and required a replacement part for the mini-mill (under quarantee) and their service has been faultless. I had a few teething troubles with the machines (mostly my own fault!) that were dealt with in a friendly and patient manner.
The H80 bandsaw is a great little tool and an asset to a small workshop. The lathe is actually better than expected. I relocated the threading dial to the proper place at the rear of the apron and made a false nose for the spindle to accept Myford chucks, etc. (the supplied chucks are too big for smaller stuff).I part off with a home made rear tool post. I now have an accurate and adaptable lathe with good capacity.
The mini-mill has adequate capacity and is accurate enough for my needs but the method of downfeed (the whole headstock moves rather than the quill) is not the best arrangement. This is the same for all similar mini-mills from other suppliers so is not a Chester specific complaint. I think any boring will be done on the lathe.
These have been my personal experiences and I outline them here simply to give prospective purchasers another point of view.
Good luck and good turning,
Tim