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7th February 2014, 04:55 PM #16Senior Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2007
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Posts
- 332
Thansk Fred,
I just got of the phone to asset plant.
They no longer offer the 920V hence why there is no price there, They have the 920A, diffidence being is that it is no longer variable speed. (I dont know exactly what they are talking about that is variable to be honest...as you can still adjust the spindle speed...or am i wrong?)
SM-0920A. Bench Lathe. Steelmaster. Norton Quick Box. 500mm Centres, 230mm Swing, 21mm Bore, - Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery Online | Asset Plant & Machinery
This looks like the exact requirements that I want in a lathe, however, I noticed they have a model up which not only has the power cross feed, but also has the power feed on the face....
It is a slightly larger lathe though, so I'll have to take some measurements tonight and see which one I should go for.
SM-1022A. Bench Lathe. Steelmaster. 550mm Centres, 250mm Swing, Pwr Cross Feed. - Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery Online | Asset Plant & Machinery
So I'll toss up between these two. Very glad you informed me of these, as I had not even seen them, they basically have everything that I want in a lathe...very happy.
They have no stock at the moment but will be getting some in within a week or two, which suits me fine.
Cheers
Sam
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7th February 2014, 05:05 PM #17
The V version is electronic variable speed, ie you turn a knob to change speeds without stopping the lathe, the A version has 6 speeds selected by stopping the lathe, changing a belt to different pulleys and starting the lathe again.
The 1022 has a geared head and you change speeds by stopping the lathe, selecting a new speed by setting 2 dials and starting the lathe again.
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7th February 2014, 05:55 PM #18Banned
- Join Date
- Apr 2013
- Location
- adelaide
- Posts
- 291
Lathes
The SM-920a is the same design lathe as the AL-50g from H&F only $200 more, there may be minor differences but essentially they the same. The SM-920a and the AL-50g are commonly referred to as 9x20 lathes and are extremely popular, there are a plethora of sites dedicated to the 9x20 with good info on mods to improve them, including installing variable speed drives, They are an extremely good lathe and very good value for the money. Google 9x20 lathe and you'll see what I mean, Steve Bedair has an excellent 9x20 site. You can also google the Hafco site for info on the AL50g.
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7th February 2014, 06:57 PM #19GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 2,947
Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
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7th February 2014, 07:16 PM #20
Yes, the H&F AL-50G ($1155) is very similar to the Steelmaster SM-920A ($1204.50), but it is $50 cheaper not $200. The AL-50G has a 3/4hp motor the SM-920A has a 1hp motor. The biggest difference is that the SM-920A has a cam lock tail stock, the AL-50G has a fiddly nut for which you need a spanner every time you need to slide the tail stock. I do a lot of drilling on the lathe and this feature alone is worth the extra $50 to me.
At the time, the Steelmaster was a better finished lathe than the AL-50G, but that was a few years ago and this may have changed. I also received much better pre-sale service at Asset than at H&F which at the time had a tendency to treat you like a moron if you weren't obviously a tradie.
But the biggest deciding factor for me was the EVS, I wouldn't be without it. Nowadays with the plethora of cheap VFDs that isn't such a big deal as it would be relatively simple to convert either of these lathes to EVS with a VFD for less than $150. I actually have a Hitachi VFD and 1hp 3phase motor sitting in the wings, it came with the DRO setup I purchased, so if the EVS ever decides to spit the dummy then that will be installed.
I can also recommend the Steve Bedair site fas a good source of knowledge for these lathes and there are some other good sites as well, from which I have learned a lot.
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7th February 2014, 07:39 PM #21Banned
- Join Date
- Apr 2013
- Location
- adelaide
- Posts
- 291
SM-920a
Big Shed, does the SM-920a have the same skinny drive belt as the AL-50g. That was the only feature I found annoying.
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7th February 2014, 07:48 PM #22
stuff
Hi
The other option you might consider would be a Myford 7 or even better , a Super 7 . The spares backup available for these lathes is unsurpassed . Problem is, the Myfords are always ridiculously overpriced here in OZ .
The roller bearing headstock Sheraton 9 lathes do turn up on ebay now and then, these are nice machines from the Hercus-Southbend family .
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7th February 2014, 07:59 PM #23
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7th February 2014, 08:07 PM #24
As has been stated earlier in this thread, for a newcomer to buy one of these (now very) old lathes is rather daunting. It is hard to determine whether the lathe is in good condition and/or has been abused. As a high percentage of these lathes came from schools, abuse was always on the cards.
It is for these reasons that people such as the OP and myself tend to steer clear of them, especially as in most cases the amount of money to be outlaid is similar to buying a new Chinese lathe.
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7th February 2014, 08:47 PM #25
well.............
I tend to respectfully disagree . If one is contemplating using a lathe, then , even before you turn it on, you will need some basic mechanical skills and knowledge to begin with . Inspecting the bed of a used lathe for wear isn't that difficult a thing to do . Most times, you can see the wear ridges on the bed ways quite easily .
Mike
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7th February 2014, 09:05 PM #26
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7th February 2014, 09:31 PM #27
No
Hi Fred
The bed ways condition is the most important item to inspect . The headstock bearings , if they are the tapered roller type, will likely be quite OK .
I am just saying that there are many older lathes out there on the market that are still ( despite age ) very capable machines and they will be the equal of or better than most Asian made hobby lathes . Me, I would take a half worn out Colchester or Harrison over a new Asian hobby lathe any day of the week . But I am biased towards older machinery ............. Mike
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7th February 2014, 09:39 PM #28
Jeez Mike, Colchesters and Harrisons aren't quite Myfords/Hercus/Sheratons now are they.
I wouldn't mind a Colchester myself......................
But when I started on this journey it wouldn't have meant a thing to me.
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8th February 2014, 02:30 PM #29SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Location
- Australia east coast
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- 71
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- 1,468
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10th February 2014, 09:51 AM #30Senior Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2007
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Posts
- 332
Thanks so much for all the replies guys.
I've done much research and the decider for me now is either between the SM920 or the SM1022 from Asset Plant.
I like the idea of getting the 920 because it has a huge following and lots and lots of info about it on line, lots of modification details also which I like.
I do however like the idea of 1022 which has the advantage of the auto feed along the face, and the ability to do a reverse thread (which I may never use)....So I'm currently just jumping between the two.
It is true with these things, the more you look, the more you think "yeah I think I want that feature too" and constantly keep upgrading.
I've noticed that a few diff places also sell the same variant of the SM920, being the AL50G and another one I saw elsewhere which I cant remember. But the SM920 comes with a few features the AL50G doesn't come with..
Hopefully I'll be able to decide today and put a deposit down till it arrives.
Cheers Sam