Taig Lathe

[bernie weishapl]

You got that right Chris. That’s why I jumped at the offer of free shipping. I had bid on one Taig on ebay and glad I was outbid. I found out after I messaged him he wanted $60 for shipping and $25 to build a box out of scrap plywood. $85 shipping. Wow. I do love those that have a handling charge. Amazes me. I have finally learned to have patience working on clocks and in the early days on watches. So I have gotten better over the years waiting. 😆

[bernie weishapl]

Just got a UPS notice the lathe is out for delivery. Bummer is UPS generally delivers here about 4 pm in the afternoon.

[bobpat]

I almost bought that adept,something told me it was the wrong deal, good thing I came here .. so glad I didn’t buy it Bernie, you are right, the used ones are way over priced for rusted pieces of equipment, and you really don’t know what you are buying, anyways, I bought a new Sherline, will be here Thursday.

[bernie weishapl]

Good for you Bobpat. You will have to post pic’s when it comes in. I have already got mine dirty by repivoting a arbor that was badly worn. If I filed it down to smooth it would have been about as thick as a straight pin.

[willofiam]

for anyone interested I brought up this thread because there is a taig for sale with goodies on the Minneapolis craigslist under lathes. William

[bernie weishapl]

Boy William for anyone wanting a lathe that is a great deal. $280 plus all the misc. that I could see with it.

[daryn]

I’ve an old cowells 90 me for small clock stuff, I guess you guys don’t have them on your side of the pond ?
David, this cowells machine runs in the headstock plain , no ball or roller bearings , no cone bearings , it is however very very accurate and precise, it’s a lot more work making them this way and honing the bearing surfaces properly which is why not many are made this way anymore, it also would probably mean a new spindle if wear became an issue, however if made properly that’s not going happen for a long long time !
Daryn

[daryn]

That said most clock work is done on a an emco v10p , this is ten inch machine with a geared head , some might consider it large for clock stuff , but the extra mass makes upfor a lot , very accurate, unlike smaller machines that flex a bit whatever you dial in is what’s taken off the work , it also has a capable mill drill head bolted on the back of the bed which makes it very versatile
Daryn

[Bob Tascione]

Those are both VERY nice, high quality lathes Daryn!
The Cowell isn’t real well known over here but you do occasionally see them around. Would love to own one!
Bob

[daryn]

Yep the cowells are a proper engine lathe scaled down, it has a proper backgear arrangement and screwcutting by change gears , very versatile for such a small machine, all cast iron a steel construction,they also do a watchmakers version that takes 8mm collets

[willofiam]

Daryn, when does the Cowells you got me for Christmas get here, did it have the milling attachment also? just kidding, I think Paul was going to buy me one, it does seem like a rather nice setup. maybe someday? I think the lathe, mill and a bunch of goodies would cost around $7000, thats a drop in the bucket for Paul William

[daryn]

They’re not cheap or inexpensive!
I feel you do get what you pay for sometimes ,
I think in all honesty that a lot of its down to the operater, if you look at some of the early clocks and at the equipment they were made with !
A good example is the amount of backlash in the feedscrews on an older lathe, if the Turner knows their machine a half turn won’t stop them producing wonderful work , but a poor workman will complain all day long about it preventing them from first class work . . .

[daryn]

My personal approach has been to buy the best second hand equipment I could afford, probably not the best approach for a novice as at first glance the good and the bad can look very similar !

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