Hiya, just came across your video, informative as I've just picked up an exact replica here in Aus. Made in 2004 and marketed by Hare and Forbes Machinery as the AL300. Very happy with it and a good fit between the little lathe/mill and the big beast in the shed. I did make a decent stand using 50mm SHS (3mm wall) as those little cupboards where a a bit flakey and couldn't accommodate the coolant/chip collector. The quality of these machines can vary a little, but with a careful going over, refinements will eliminate issues before the swearing starts. Keep up the videos, interested to see what you are machining. Have a look at CEE for some serious machining... learnt a lot from that channel (as well as Abom79)

Thank you, I have one like it and I was missing the manual, now I downloaded, thanks to you.

I have run one these lathes since the mid eighties and have had no problems what so ever! Now looking to convert it to VFD and new 3 phase motor along with a dro system

Thanks for the walkthrough. Machining videos are quite mesmerising, which is why I love Abomb79 and This Old Tony. I also enjoy Mathew Cremona who works in wood and urban logging as well as Andrew Camarata who does landscaping and does outside construction using heavy equipment. Hope you can watch those channels and see why they are so popular with men of all ages (I think). Keep going. I would suggest keeping stats (which you probably already do) on any changes in what you and how you do, and their effect on the channel viewership, which you can share with us. Oh, I almost forgot, I also love watching people doing off-grid stuff like My Self Reliance (Shawn James in Canada). Sometimes all he does is just an open-hearted chat.

@darrensworkshop6783

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks again that does help. The stats are going up all the time. When I started last November from zero to now over 500 a week. I don't understand why so few leave comments or like/ dislike. I'm like you I like to give feedback and thanks but I suppose we are the minority. The analytics show my viewers are mainly in the United Staes which I guess is understandable. During the lockdown I have so many personal projects on the go and deciding which to show on KZread is tricky. I need to do my take on make bench belt grinder video and I'll think about showing more lathe work in a little more detail?

This is just in the right place for me, had 5? old lathes before but maybe time to buy new. Great review. love the gap bed, had one on a harrison L5 , surprisingly useful. big pulleys, skimming brake disks, engraving brass clock faces. very tempted between this and the Toolco 1130 (unpriced)

@darrensworkshop6783

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. I'm pleased with the Chester.

Thanks for this. I'm thinking about getting a lathe and had narrowed down to this one.

@darrensworkshop6783

4 жыл бұрын

I'm happy with the Craftsman. Mention to Chester about the channel if you visit them. Thank you.

@darrensworkshop6783

4 жыл бұрын

Hi I'm not sure where you are but I'm now selling this lathe. I'm in Scunthorpe in the UK.

@trx8503

3 жыл бұрын

@@darrensworkshop6783 sorry. I'm in Belfast. Why are u selling do you mind me asking?

@darrensworkshop6783

3 жыл бұрын

@@trx8503 We are moving to Portugal and the shipping costs are to high to ship the lathe and the rest of the workshop so selling all..

@trx8503

3 жыл бұрын

@@darrensworkshop6783 oh. Best of luck with the move.

An item on these lathes which is often missing from the owners manual is the lubrication of the drive rod mechanism... it's out of site and out of mind. The drive rod turns a brass worm gear keyed to the drive rod shaft. Monthly, take a glob of grease on the ends of your fingers and reach up underneath behind the apron (with the power disconnected of course) and making sure there are no chips embedded, smear grease into the worm and onto it's mating gear. Since the mainland Chinese usually only copy someone else, the plate on the machine may lead you to believe that the lathe won't cut a 1.75mm lead thread.. but it will. The setting is top pinion 30T>120/127>46T gearbox pinion and the gear box set to B4. Cheers from NC/USA

@darrensworkshop6783

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment. The technical details go over my ability as a home/ basic maker, but thank you again and maybe someone will use this advice.

@aceroadholder2185

3 жыл бұрын

@@darrensworkshop6783 Learn a little bit every day and soon you will know stuff. I would highly recommend videos from retired shop teachers Marc L'Ecuyer, The Lazy Machinist, and Lyle Peterson, Tubalcain for well presented "how to" lessons.

@darrensworkshop6783

3 жыл бұрын

@@aceroadholder2185 Thank you.

Hi.. How have you found the accuracy and reliability especially at high speed turning.. I am looking at this very Chester lathe and the Cormak Tytan 330 and to be honest both companies are not the best on customer service when it comes to asking pre purchase questions.. I wish to turn large pieces from mild steel and billet size is 150mm circum x 200mm length to turn down.. Can't get a definite answer if any of the two machines will cope...any thoughts.. I currently own and use an old willson slant bed lathe from the 60's

@darrensworkshop6783

6 ай бұрын

Hi The Chester lathe is Chinese built (as most are). I found accuracy good the run out was very low but I can't remember he figure. The castings where on the poor side and I did have an issue with the gear selector casting inside the gearbox breaking (replaced FOC by Chester but I did diagnose and repair myself). For the money the Chester Craftsmen is ok for medium turning but heavy cuts may present problems - that goes for any lathe I guess. I suppose it's a case of knowing the machine limits. Thanks Darren

Darren,I have now got a Chester Craftsman lathe. I am considering changing the tool post to a QCTP similar to yours. I take it there is not straight swap and some machining is required. Any tips would be welcome, thanks.

@darrensworkshop6783

3 жыл бұрын

I found it straight forward, if you have a mill it will be easy. No mill quite a bit of filing. The only part needing any work is the base plate to fit the compound fixing of the lathe. Can't really help anymore than that, good luck.

Can you tell me the total cost to buy this machine, including delivery, accessories etc. The brochure looks like alot of the accessories are included. The other option is the Centurion, its cheaper but there are not as many accessories included.

@darrensworkshop6783

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry I don't sell them, Speak to Chester lathes in Chester UK.

why are the lathes so much cheaper in the uk then in the netherlands ? If I could buy this lathe for 2500 to 3000 euros, I wouldn't hesitate for a second. 90 cm between the centers AND a norton box with 40 choices, it's unbelievable for that money? the only thing i would change is a 3 phase motor with a vfd, then the lathe is totally top of the bill! do you know if they sold these kind of lathes in the netherlands ? greetings, ben.

@darrensworkshop6783

Жыл бұрын

Hi The lathe is a Chinese copy of an American lathe. I found the cast iron parts a little weak and had to replace a couple of them under warranty. The VFD would be an upgrade I may have made but again it may have over stressed the bearing castings.. The turning quality was very good with very little runout. Not sure if Chester supply the Netherlands. Thanks for the comment.

Darren, how come this lathe weighs in at around 380 kg and the Warco 280 at about 210 kg. Where is all the extra weight? Robin

@darrensworkshop6783

3 жыл бұрын

The lathe is cast iron and does weigh that according to the specifications. I never weighed it but it was very heavy. Thanks for the comment.

@robinscott1387

3 жыл бұрын

@@darrensworkshop6783 I am undecided between the Chester Craftsman and the Warco 280V. Both similar in price. The Craftsman had the wight advantage in stability, whereas the Warco has variable speed. Is the variable speed an advantage or not in your view?

@darrensworkshop6783

3 жыл бұрын

@@robinscott1387 Hi Robin I had the same choice and went for the Chester. I can only comment on the Chester which is a Chinese built lathe. The lathe delivered on all aspects of turning accurate parts but I did have a couple off parts broke (Chester sent parts FOC) I chose to carry out repairs myself as a way of understanding the engineering. Again I cannot comment on the engineering of the Warco lathe. I do have a Warco wood lathe which I like and the engineering is a little better for a cheap small lathe. Ades Workshop on KZread has more content on the Warco. Good luck.

@robinscott1387

3 жыл бұрын

@@darrensworkshop6783 Thanks for your time in replying.

@aceroadholder2185

3 жыл бұрын

@@robinscott1387 Robin, I have a 30 year old Taiwanese lathe that is almost identical to Darren's lathe. Variable speed would be pretty far down on the list of "wants". Changing speeds on these lathes is annoying, but that can be easily fixed. Attached is a picture of my lathe and the lever mechanism to raise the motor and loosen the jack shaft in one shot. There is adjustment to allow the tension on both belts to be set. This also does away with reaching over the chuck to loosen the jack shaft. I've also installed a bar under the jack shaft/spindle belt to keep it from sagging down during speed changes. With these modifications I can change speeds faster than one of these lathes with a geared head. postimg.cc/34XRSnSZ Cheers from NC/USA