Dore Westbury Milling Machines

[baggo]

I'm looking around for a bigger mill than my X1 and have looked at several Dore-Westbury's that crop up now and again. The physical size would suit what I want (I'm limited for space and restricted by weight) but how would a DW compare to the chinese imports e.g. a Sieg X2 or Warco Mini Mill with regards to rigidity? Really, something like an X3 would probably be ideal but a bit out of my price range at the moment

DW's seem to fetch about £450 depending on condition etc. which to me seems a bit over priced for what they are. This is not far off the cost of a new X2/Warco Mini.

Any thoughts or comments to help me decide?

John

[wayne]

Hi John
The price of a Dore Westbury should depend on how well it was built, dose it have reduction gear fitted, is it a MK1 or 2, dose it have a long column or standard, dose it have a 20" table or 15-1/2" table, dose it have a power cross feed. There may be other desirable goodies to those listed above which I do not know about. According to Ivan Law the last DW MK2 in standard kit form sold for £900+ in its final year,

I still have my DW Mk1, Plus a Centec 2B H & V with factory fitted p/cross feed and a Myford Vmc, I will not sell my DW because its still a versatile machine, the main drawbacks are:

•It uses 5/16 draw bar and the quill is mt 2, adapters or a 3/8bsw drawbar tuned down to 5/16 must be made.
•Its a round column so if you lift the head position is lost (articles have appeared in ME & MEW that attempt to solve this problem)
•Light to moderate cuts and feed speeds only

It must be remember in its day a DW MK1 was good value and more versatile when compaird to period commensally made alternatives aimed at the model engineer. In 1985 I purchased my MK 1 with a long column, which had been built in 1974 by the next door neighbour, a retired tool room engineer. I paid £80 for mine with along with a MES rotary table and Clair milling chuck, not cheep for the time, but nothing else came near for the same price and quality..

Would I recommend a DW yes I would, but remember it has limitations, it must be well made. Are they better than the new Chinese stuff, I don’t know, that should be relay asked when the light duty Chinese stuff is also 35 yeas old,
Hope this helps
Wayne
Ps Also there’s a DW chat room group on yahoo

[baggo]

Hi Wayne,

thanks for your reply. I think I'm going to head down the X3 route though. My brother and I will probably buy one between us as we both need milling facilities. Although the DW probably is more versatile, I think the X3 will be more substantial and rigid which is more important to me. Also I like the square column which ensures the head stays in alignment as you raise and lower it.

John

[classicsteve]

I was thinking of an X3 myself, so was interested to see that ArcEuroTrade recommend a complete strip, clean and align of a new machine, and for those who want to do it themselves they have a PDF on the website. This is a rather unusual pitch for a machine seller, and I can only assume that they really think it is important. The PDF tells of bits of casting sand left in, and other horrors.

In the end I decided to maintain the 'period' feel of my workshop by buying a Centec. This also falls in line with my policy of learning on old kit before laying hands on the new and expensive. I may treat myself to an X3 and CNC when I have served my apprenticeship on the old stuff.

Steve

[baggo]

Hi Steve,

Yes, it is a good idea to strip these machines and clean them up. I did this to my X1 and there was quite a bit of casting sand in the nooks and crannies. Also taking time to adjust the gibs etc. makes a big improvement to the machine.

I might be going to SPG tools in Hinckley later today to have a look at their version of the X3. It's a lot cheaper than Arc Euro for the same spec and they say that they do strip and clean the machines before sale.

I would definitely consider a small 'industrial' machine if one came up locally and at a good price but life's getting too short to wait for the right one!

John

[Tel]

Apr 15, 2009 14:38:07 GMT John Baguley said:

Hi Wayne,

thanks for your reply. I think I'm going to head down the X3 route though. My brother and I will probably buy one between us as we both need milling facilities. Although the DW probably is more versatile, I think the X3 will be more substantial and rigid which is more important to me. Also I like the square column which ensures the head stays in alignment as you raise and lower it.

John

Good decision. I bought an X2 a few years back and while it's OK for what it is the X3 is well worth holding out for. Friend of mine bought on a few months back, and I was squirreling away some shekels for the same purpose when the s/h RF30 came up.

[baggo]

Finally got a machine

Whilst saving up for the X3 I managed to pick up a virtually new Chester E25 with cabinet base, brand new R8 collet chuck and collets, and a new 6" swivelling machine vice, all for under £500 ;D

Had to dismantle the head from the base to get it in the Estate but got it home ok. Just got to find somewhere to set it up now

John

[ace]

my workshop would be a good starting place John.

ace

[baggo]

Apr 28, 2009 20:13:41 GMT ace said:

my workshop would be a good starting place John.

Actually it came from up your way - Hazel Grove. I could have dropped it off on the way home ;D ;D

John

[ace]

I did enquire about it but it wasn't in my colour. ;D

[Tony K]

Apr 16, 2009 9:40:38 GMT Tel said:

Good decision. I bought an X2 a few years back and while it's OK for what it is the X3 is well worth holding out for. Friend of mine bought on a few months back, and I was squirreling away some shekels for the same purpose when the s/h RF30 came up.

Tel, this might be of interest. Here