Warco WM250 Lathe

[Richardw]

Hello All

I am trying to decide what Lathe to get for 5" gauge railway modelling and was wondering if anyone has any experience of the Warco WM250 that they would share with me on or off list as this seems to be the best spec imported machine within my anticipated price range.

I would prefer a good used Boxford or Myford but I don't think the budget is going to stretch far enough.

Thanks
Richard

[the_viffer]

The list price including vat is GBP1000, I think.

You can get a s/h Super 7 for that. Eg (and I'm not saying it is good or bad machine just one that 30 secs on the web found www.gandmtools.co.uk/cat_leaf.php?id=3123)

You could buy a proper lathe for that price too i.e. a s/h Colchester (eg and again I know nothing about the lathe www.gandmtools.co.uk/cat_leaf.php?id=3095).

Around 10 years ago I had the predecessor of the 250 from another shipper and it was a [glow=red,2,300]dog[/glow]

Chinese standards are much better now and I'm sure the 250 would be quite reasonable. I use a modern Warco mini lathe for fittings and stuff like that and I find it very easy to use and of acceptable quality.

I sometimes use a friend's Warco 1322 which is fine

Out of sentiment and respect for a friend my main lathe is a much modified 1950's ML7 which I got from him shortly before he died. But for that I have no doubt that I would choose a Colchester or another similiar size lathe now that I have room for a bigger lathe.

You might expect a new Warco lathe to suffer depreciation. An old Myford, Harrison or Colchester will already have depreciated. If you are not planning on selling then depreciation is not an issue.

Good luck whatever you choose.

[Uzzy]

Another website to have a look on is homeworkshop.org.uk you may see something that you like.
Best of luck.

[ron]

Richard
I've a Warco lathe and a Warco mill, I think they offer extremely good value for money, they are not as good as Myford or Colchester etc [and I've had plenty experience of those as well] but they are a fraction of the price, and they are NEW, second hand lathes are like second hand cars, a minefield.
I was also impressed with their after sales service, about 6 months after I bought the lathe, the on/off switch started acting up, I phoned them up and they despatched a new switch by return, no quibbles.
Ron

[the_viffer]

ron said:

Richard
second hand lathes are like second hand cars, a minefield.
Ron

Sounds like some new machines are no better than second hand: modeleng.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1136850856

modeleng.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1136222022

Buying new or second hand from a reputable dealer should give a come-back if there are problems. Buying off ebay or a private ad will be more risky.

[lancelot]

Hello Viffer,
with reference to the 'Good ' the 'Bad' and the downright 'Ugly' as would apply to some of the machines which we as model engineers are using today, I can say that my lathe was bought ''Brand New 2nd hand'' ...now that's Irish. It was an unused Myford Speed 10, for about £500.oo complete with coolant system, and a lot of bits and bobs.
As to the mill, getting a mill of the same quality as the lathe, in Ireland when I needed it, just was not possible, so I opted for the ''cheap but cheerfull'' out. I obtained it May of 2005, and it has given me very good service up until about a few weeks ago. I was flycutting some gunmetal cylinders back to back and had just finished the last cut,when she keeled over and stopped running. After contacting Chester I was allowed to proceed and started to dismantle the machine, the first thing I found was that the screw holding the drive gear on to the motor had come adrift, allowing the gear to come off, the next thing was the top plastic gear on the layshaft [the one driven by the motor gear] was free to turn on the shaft, when I removed it from the shaft I found that the key that should have been holding it had only 20 thou'' of protusion above shaft size, I packed the key out by 25 thou'', I ckecked the gear box for any more problems by gripping the top of the layshaft and gently turning the mandrel spindle in high and low gears, all o/k so far, Contacted Chester with regard to what was needed, and recieved the gears in the post the following morning, I would say ...BRAVO...The mill is now back in use.
In saying all of this , we must all ask ourselves ''why are we Model Engineers?'' I think one of the more obvious answers would be ''We Can Fix IT''
I now am of the opinion that although the cheaper imports do provide a certain ''value for money'' and are much easier on the ''Pocket'' I would advise a partial strip down as above and ckeck, resecuring with Loctite any screws holding the gears, also try adjusting the Gib screws a little on the tight side for less problems with backlash.
All the best for now,
John.

[the_viffer]

I'm glad you are sorted lancelot.

I don't carry the flag for either s/h British or new Far Eastern products. I've a British lathe, die filer (any one know where I can get files: I've a good stock but even so) and shaper and a far Eastern small lathe, mill and drill press.

The British products are fine as they are built like Mrs the_viffer (I'll be lucky to be able to eat solids if she reads that) and rather basic. Also like you I've got machines that are barely used.

The drill press is remarkably good although the split phase motor doesn't like the cold days when the bearings are stiff.

The small lathe is fine although I stripped it before use.

The mill I simply don't trust and tend to mill in the lathe. It is likely to get transferred to the new 'shop in the next few days. It will need to be torn down to move it so I'll look over and adjust. Either that or sell it if I can find a decent replacement for a good price.

While I agree that we have or can acquire the skills to fix almost anything I seriously question whether we should. My hobby is model engineering not jobbing machine tool repair.

My Myford came from someone who used to post on a predecessor of this list. He spent a lot of time making bits of tooling that could be bought for next to nothing and was so busy doing so and fettling his machines that he never had any time to do any model engineering. I'm sure that more model making was done when I went over for the afternoon than he did in a month. And when we making models or running engines he used to laugh and say how much more fun it was than tool making.

My argument would be stronger if I'd not been beavering for the last few weeks lining and fitting out my new 'shop!


Cheers!

[lancelot]

Hello Viffer,
''Good files''....some month ago I contacted Chronos about their Vallorbe files, and was told that they could only supply 4'' in that make. I then managed to wheedle the name of their supplier, www.electro-group.co.uk ...I contacted them and was able to purchase a number of engineering and precision quality 6'' and 8'' files, but I can tell you, they are not cheap, a catalogue and price list is available, apparently this company is trade only but does have some system set up to deal with private individuals.
All the best for now,
John.

[the_viffer]

Thanks lancelot.

Unfortunately a die filer file cuts on the pull stroke to keep the job on the table. An ordinary good file is no use: cutting on the push stroke it lifts the job off the table.

I suppose I could try, when the time, comes grinding the tip down on a ordinary file.

[lancelot]

Hello Viffer,
I have a contact no and name, Vallorbe still apparently make the type of file that you require, if you can send me your email. I will contact you off post and you can discuss the size and type of file, price e/t/c with him.
All the best for now,
John.

[Richardw]

I would like to say thankyou to all who replied to my question.

I took the plunge and bought a second hand Myfor ML7R in the end. I have not used it yet as I have to get it into the workshop and set it up but first impressions are very favourable. It feels so much better assembled than the imports I looked at and I can't wait to get using it.

I decided that it is a significant investment and although costing more than the alternative new lathes it feels like it should last a lifetime and pay me back with good service for many years and I believe in buying quality if I can.

Regards
Richard

[alanstepney]

I bought my ML7 (not the R) back in 1969 or maybe it was 68, and since then it has done a lot of hard work. I made several attachments, including one (based upon the Rodney "big turn") that enables me to turn much larger sizes than normal.
I also have the capstan fittings, so overall I might have overloaded the machine, and if not, it wasnt for want of trying! lol

However, it still works well, does what I need, and should outlast me.
There are better machines, but the ML7 does its job and keeps going, which is all most of us require.

I am sure you wont regret your pirchase.

[chris vine]

Hi Richard,

I am sure you will get years of service and pleasure from your ML7R.

A few thoughts for you,
Make sure you use the correct oil nuto h44 I think, in the headstock bearings. This is especially important in the front, tapered one. Anything too thick and it will heat up and/or not get through the little wick feeder.

The other thing, you may find there is a bit of backlash in the cross feed screw. Don't put up with it! A new nut is only a few pounds from Myford and a new screw not much more. It may be just needing adjustment in the thrust bearing........

Chris.

[Richardw]

Thanks Chris,

I have got the lathe into the workshop today and have checked the cross slide, there is no backlash on it or the other feeds so I am okay there.

I just need to get some oil now.

Regards
Richard

[chris vine]

Hi Richard,

The ony other thing which can be a bore on Myford super 7 or ml7R is that I used to find a bad rumble or vibration from the primary belt drive, motor to countershaft. I think it may depend on the belt, motor and bearings.

Anyway, if you have a problem with this, the way to fix it is to put on one of those jointed type of belts, Myford sell them and so do lots of other firms. The problem is then fixed perfectly. I guess there is just sufficient damping in the joints to stop the vibration building up.

Chris

[mott]

Hi Richardw, I have the job of selling an ML7 for a neighbour whose husband has departed to the Workshop Above. It has screwcutting gearbox,myford stand, vertical slide with blocks, 3 and 4 jaw chucks and tail stock chuck, countershaft clutch, tools steadies etc. It is old, of course, but is in excellent working order and needs to go to a good home. Absolutely ideal for a 5" gauge modeller. Ask the viffer his opinion as he has seen it. Its located in North Essex. I would think for spares the gearbox is worth £500, the stand about £150 before looking at anything else. It lives in a heated workshop and has had little serious use from what I can see. You could do a lot worse. If interested e mail me off list. Mott

[Richardw]

Thanks Mott but I am sorted with an ML7R now, I would have been very interested otherwise.

Regards
Richard