Subject: Re: Your Opinions Please...

From: [email-masked]
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 18:53:20 GMT

[email-masked] (Mr Midea) wrote:

 My question is
>one of purchasing an Enco Lathe (China made). I had purchased this lathe
>about a year ago and all seems to be ok with it. I use it in my home shop
>(GARAGE) to machine graphite and soft plastic parts. Sometimes aluminum. I
>use it about  2-4 hours per month on a part time basis. I guess I am
>wodering after the fact if I would have been better off purchasing
>something from south bend at about $ 5,000 vs the 1,100 from ENCO. Not
>that it matters much now.

I generally recommend that people buy the best equipment that they can
afford.  In your case, your usage is very low, and the materials that
you are working are not very damanding of a lathe.  Now on the other
hand, I do not know what kind of precision you are looking for, but
the Enco lathes are OK for most applications.  On plastic, graphite,
and aluminum, I do not think that you are in danger of damaging the
lathe.  I have had two Enco lathes in the past, and have worked them
hard, before reselling them.  

Now regarding maintenance.  Keep it oiled, and cover it with a cloth
sheet when you are not using it.  Cloth will not encourage
condensation.  

J. M. Stuart

Engineer / Inventor / Patentee

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From: Bill Peters <[email-masked]>
Date: 28 Jan 1996 02:41:57 GMT

Tony,
I have an old 9" South Bend lathe and a Tiawan Mill Drill. I have 
had a close look at the Enco lathes and Mill Drill and I think they 
are just fine. Their current Mill/Drills are certainly better made 
than my old but adequate one. I believe you made a good choice. I 
don't expect you will have any problems running your lathe for 
decades.

Keep it well lubricated with a good machinery oil like 3-in-1. the 
additives in Auto oils may cause harm. Wipe it occassionaly with oil
to prevent rust. Keep dust, particularly cuttings from abrasive 
plastics out of critical areas, bearings, gears etc. and the Enco 
should last as long as my lat least 50 year old South Bend.

Bill Peters
Calgary, Canada
[email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (MadMat99)
Date: 27 Jan 1996 05:19:53 -0500

Tony Midea wrote:
I am new to this newsgroup, but I am glad I found you guys. My question is
one of purchasing an Enco Lathe (China made). I had purchased this lathe
about a year ago and all seems to be ok with it. I use it in my home shop
(GARAGE) to machine graphite and soft plastic parts. Sometimes aluminum. I
use it about  2-4 hours per month on a part time basis. I guess I am
wodering after the fact if I would have been better off purchasing
something from south bend at about $ 5,000 vs the 1,100 from ENCO. Not
that it matters much now.
I also need to know what can I do to baby this machine to keep it in good
operating condition for as long as possible any preventative maint. tips
you may have would be great!!!

About your choice.....if you're only cutting soft materials a couple of
hours per month, the Enco may last forever.  You probably would have been
pleased with the South Bend, and I think it might be a little sturdier. 
They aren't legends in the small lathe category for nothing.

My best advice to you is to keep all the sliding ways clean and well
lubricated.  Many of the used South Bends (as well as almost every other
lathe) have their ways worn so badly near the chuck that they turn
barrel-shaped. This is due to sloppy housekeeping and letting all kinds of
shit get ground into the ways.  It's like a lapping process!

I think many of these machines would have been accurate much longer had
the machines come with way covers.  Then there isn't nearly the amount of
wear.  I have a machine with hardened ways that I will install way covers
on and I expect this machine to be tight and accurate for the rest of my
life, at least.  And I'm 26!

Way covers may seem extreme to some, but for extending life the longest,
they can't be beat.

Regards, Mat