The Clock Making and Home Machining Blog

Which Lathe Should I Buy?

5/10/2015

Red Lathe: SIEG SC4
Blue Lathe: Weiss WM 250V-F
Sherline: Sherline 4100 (Metric)
(Retired Green Lathe: CQ6125)

Sherline Thread Cutting Attachment: https://sherline.com/product/3100-thread-cutting-attachment/

Tubalcain Tailstock Alignment videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLXL3cdnbpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqjO4yPvhQs

Lathe Leveling:
TOT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THkb-x35fwc

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48 Comments

Andrew Robb link

5/8/2015 07:22:21 pm

Hi Chris,
I have been watching your videos for a while now but only just looked at your blog. Now I am not sure which I enjoy more. It is good that you are in Australia and can put a local spin on things.
Cheers
Franky

PJ link

5/13/2015 05:19:13 am

Hi Chris,
Great write up and fully agree with your 3pt considerations. I have learned so much from my peanut and worth the $150 I paid for it 10 fold in fun alone...let a lone what I've made that is useful with it. Even though I'm still working on my 14" bed & extended cross slide, I know when I get it done it will be nice, tight, and smooth running. Maybe not as good as your Sherline but good'nuff for me and my purposes. I wasn't going to clutter up your site with my blithering until I saw the link for the HLV-H which is also My ultimate dream machine. I think they may have broke the mold after they designed and built that one and may have wings folded in somewhere. Great Post, always a pleasure. ~PJ

Chein link

8/25/2015 08:42:32 pm

Hi Chris,
I have a Weiss WM210V-G and I'm having similar problem with my tailstock not holding center. I'm looking at the Seig thinking it's probably a better built machine, but after reading this post i guess you're right, they're both made pretty much to the same standard. My Sherline mill on the other hand is a delight. Been using it in a CNC set up for 4 years now without a single hitch. I live in Malaysia and it seems like we both have to make do with whatever limited tool choices we have in this part of the world. I really envy those americans.

8/25/2015 09:07:33 pm

Hi Chein and Chris. I did some updates to my tail stock over time and it's been 100% better. https://sites.google.com/site/pjsminilathe/my-modifications/tail-stock-mods. Also regarding the Weis, I believe it is similar to the Optimus and my friend Jimmy in Greece has done some pretty awesome mods to his. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6fIAYgAY_o

Might take a look and solve some of your issues with the tail stock. Best wishes..~PJ

Chein

8/26/2015 07:51:11 pm

Thanks PJ! definitely gonna try the tail stock mod.

8/26/2015 08:20:49 pm

Good Luck and have some fun!

Christopher

10/7/2016 01:18:23 pm

Chien, You live in Malaysia. Given the limited tool choices, training and info, I would be interested in meeting up with you and fellow-deprived persons because I have an ambition of learning basic machining after I retire, which is not too far away and I need some moral support. Thanks, My contact email: chris_guna@yahoo.com

Jim Porter

12/8/2015 05:18:41 am

Hi Chris,

Could you give more information on your Sherline, model etc. And did I see in one of your videos a WW collet set? if so how often do you use them and what sizes did you get. Any more info on the Sherline would be appreciated.

Chris link

12/8/2015 05:57:52 am

Hey Jim,

I have the 4100 manual metric model, and I've purchased about 25 of the collets. I've got a continuous set up to about 3/16" and then a few more of the commonly used sizes from there. Absolutely awesome little machine, highly recommend it.

Cheers,
Chris.

Jim

12/9/2015 07:37:39 pm

Chris,

Any chance you could do either a blog entry or video review of each of your machines and your most used accessory for them, obviously starting with the Sherline. I have not really found any good quality reviews of the sherline (not recent ones anyway).

Kyle

3/9/2016 07:52:41 pm

Hello there, one question I had was on the noise level of these lathes. I live in an apartment and I am wondering if the SC4 would be too noisy for an apartment?

Thanks

3/9/2016 09:51:25 pm

Hey Kyle,

I'd say that the SC4 is borderline, but the Sherline would be fine.

Cheers,
Chris.

3/10/2016 07:51:39 am

Thank you for the info; what are your thoughts on the SC3? Is that one still borderline?

Thanks

Tools link

5/18/2016 08:19:07 pm

Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a honest price? Thank you,I appreciate it! <a href="http://www.toolsavenue.com/">Power Tools</a>

5/18/2016 08:49:45 pm

This is hosted on weebly.com - I highly recommend them. Very affordable, and an excellent content management system.

Cheers,
Chris

Tony

6/11/2016 02:45:50 pm

Thank you Chris. I was just informed of your site and love the videos. I want to turn stainless steel in 1/2 inch diameters. Do you think the Sherline is capable of that? Thank you.

Moglix link

7/11/2016 05:10:20 pm

Before buying you should go for online reviews and experienced shared by the used on various platform. After reading the reviews you'll be able to choose the right lathe by right brand and model for reliable work.

david pierce link

9/6/2016 04:16:11 am

Chris,
I believe all of the machines in your SC4 series are made by a company called Central Machinery. I used to own an Atlas 12" lathe and couldn't stand it. It had a T bed design which made it impossible to properly adjust the carriage to the bed. I sold it and bought a 9" lathe (due to space issues) made by Central Machinery and have been happy with the lathe. If I had the space I would have purchased a 14" or a 15" lathe but the 9" has done an OK job. The V bed design of these machines is better because it transfers the wear of the bed and carriage downward instead of sideways. I paid about $1000.00 (US) for the lathe about 20 years ago and it still runs like a new machine.
david

John Weaver

12/26/2016 08:37:55 am

Hi Chris.
I just received my sc4 which I am so far happy with.Just wondering how you find the sieg quick change tool post.
Thanks
John

12/26/2016 09:19:45 am

Hey John,

The stock SIEG toolpost will drive you mad - I immediately replaced mine with a wedge style Phase2 AXA.

http://www.phase2plus.com/details.asp?pr=QUICK_CHANGE_TOOL_SETS&id=52

It required milling out the toolholders a bit because it sits slightly above centerline, and also required a new top slide post. But well worth the effort.

Cheers,
Chris.

jaya singh link

1/21/2017 10:05:12 pm

Thanks for the information you provide such a nice ideas .

Martin

1/24/2017 06:18:38 am

Hi Chris, what miller do you use? Looking to buy one and can't make out what you use.
Think the craftsmanship is awesome!

Martin

1/24/2017 07:05:11 am

Hey Martin,

I have an SX3 mill - works well for the scale of work that I do :)

Cheers,
Chris.

Salko Safic link

2/4/2017 06:59:51 pm

I'm missing something here, I'm trying to locate the Weiss you suggested, all I got was there non functioning website and I tried opening their page through edge as well so this time round it isn't something on my end. I've looked through eBay as well, I was surprised to see the seig models priced under $700. I honestly thought I was in over my head but I can see they are reasonably priced. Do you have a link to where I can see this weiss model you were referring too.

2/4/2017 07:26:34 pm

Hey Salko,

Link working fine for me - local supplier for the Weiss re-brands is http://www.engtooling.com/

Cheers,
Chris,

2/4/2017 09:01:17 pm

Thanks Chris! The price difference is enormous and this whole thing is really doing my head in. The Sherline and Weiss are both similarly priced on their websites but on eBay it's $1300 less for the SC3. Did I mix that up is the SC3 a sherline? I've been staring at the screen for a half a day and I'm all wonky. I really don't know in what direction to turn. All I want to do is make tool components for hand tools for woodworking and mechanical movements for clocks. I want something small like yours that's not going to hog precious shop space.

Ian

4/12/2017 05:18:42 pm

I totally agree with the last paragraph about buying something and start learning. My 1st one and I still have it is a Chinese 9x20, I learned so much more being hands on, than watching videos. Now I have an Aussie made New Gregco 8x17 thats 70 yrs old. Not as fast as the 9x20 but much nicer in every way, nice and quiet too. But something like that doesn't come up as soon as you start looking.

Another benefit to buying anything and start machining is you learn what features matter most to you, and what features you can live without. Because unless you have lots of money you have to live without some features.

Paul Francis Madden

5/5/2017 06:31:51 am

Hi Chris,

This was a really excellent post and your blog is a great supplement for viewers with a greater curiosity.

I really enjoyed reading your impressions on the different lathes you own.

I'm curious to learn more about your SIEG CQ6125 lathe, especially in what situations you would choose, or are required to use it over the SIEG SC4.

I re-watched all the videos you posted on the clock build, and I could only see you use it for machining the barrel and covers, and also for the inner and outer chapter rings.

Did you choose to use the CQ6125 because the diameter of these components were outside the capacity of the SC4?

Also, you produced several large diameter aluminium cement chucks to support the large brass discs for wheels and the chapter rings, etc.

Did you produce these on the CQ6125?

Finally, would it be fair to say that the advantage of the CQ6125 was not necessarily to machine the actual clock components, but to produce items necessary for the clock build?

Chris, many thanks again for creating such a wonderful platform for discussion.

Best wishes,

Paul

5/5/2017 07:52:53 am

Hey Paul,

The CQ lathe came as part of a second hand deal from a retiring clockmaker who was selling all of his tools. Its got a few accuracy issues, so I don't use it much but you are correct - its essential for the tasks that you identified that require the larger swing, like cutting teeth on the great wheel and test fitting the same wheel to the barrel for the Large Wheel Skeleton clock.

Its a luxury, but a 2nd operation lathe is a very convenient thing to have. There are many times when you have a lathe set up for a particular task, and you need something else made but don't want to break down the set up.

Cheers,
Chris.

5/6/2017 02:00:12 am

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the information on the CQ6125. It had piqued my curiosity as I had read about it in one of your earlier blogs, but couldn't identify it without further scrutiny of your videos.

I completely understand your point on having a second lathe, especially one which can cater for those occasional larger diameter pieces.

Your remark on having a second lathe in order to prevent disturbing your primary lathe is completely valid, and could potentially save hours of time investment if you were forced to remove a workpiece and lose the centering at a critical moment.

You answered my questions Chris!

By the way, I clicked on the link you placed for the HARDINGE HLV-H Lathe. I'm speechless...

Thanks once again Chris for sharing experience.

Best wishes

Paul.

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Jimmy

10/4/2017 11:11:22 pm

Do you know of an EDM machine that would be affordable for a hobbyist?

Dan Sanford

12/30/2017 02:31:00 pm

Mr. Chris. Are you having trouble truing up the tailstock or just holding position of the tailstock?

When I bought my Grizzly 9 x 20 the first thing the instructions told me to do was take a light cut on diameter with tailstock clamped. Judge which way and how far to adjust tailstock by measuring diameter at both ends. Good travel indicator on tailstock, move tailstock half of diam. Difference. (Closer toward operator if tailstock end of cut is larger than spindle side and away from operator if tailstock side is smaller dia. Than spindle side)

12/30/2017 05:31:18 pm

Hey Dan,

It's more about repeatability - the alignment can be set, but will not hold within a reasonable tolerance on subsequent repositioning. It is a common design flaw in the Chinese lathes (and can be improved with some modification) but there are easy workarounds for when it really matters :)

Cheers,
Chris.

12/31/2017 10:13:13 am

I think Mr. Steve bedair from "STEVE BEDAIRS WEBSITE 9x20 lathe" may have a nice design mod for that issue.

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1/6/2020 08:10:42 pm

Thanks, Chris, for spending so much time putting informative videos together. I really appreciate the information you've imparted.

wrt. the radial waves you were getting on facing cuts... do you think this could be due to speed variations from the meshing of straight-cut gears? Could it be lessened, or even eliminated, by replacing them with involute gears?

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Which Lathe Should I Buy?

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