22-11-2011, 09:38 PM
You can look up most of these old lathes on Tony Griffiths site www.lathes.co.uk.
The Henry Milnes Lathes are at http://www.lathes.co.uk/milnes/
Without being too pessimistic it should be pointed out that these old lathes are inherently worn. That doesn't mean you can't do good work with them, you just have to be more careful. Col, for example, made new bearings and a bearing cap for his, using the lathe itself, when it was completely clapped out. Now it works splendidly. And please don't think that getting the bed reground is an option. £150 is an opening gambit for a simple one. New lathes on the other hand just work, although it's often said that the Chinese ones need to be stripped and cleaned before serious use.
Alan
The Henry Milnes Lathes are at http://www.lathes.co.uk/milnes/
Without being too pessimistic it should be pointed out that these old lathes are inherently worn. That doesn't mean you can't do good work with them, you just have to be more careful. Col, for example, made new bearings and a bearing cap for his, using the lathe itself, when it was completely clapped out. Now it works splendidly. And please don't think that getting the bed reground is an option. £150 is an opening gambit for a simple one. New lathes on the other hand just work, although it's often said that the Chinese ones need to be stripped and cleaned before serious use.
Alan
