Colchester - The only lathes to learn on

[@Sketch1994]

Damn right! I learned on my uncle's Colchester Bantam 1600 mk2, although my university had a bunch of bigger Ajax machine tools.

[@MTDCNC]

Not the Bantam, we had several of those in our training school, #backintime

[@bdude92]

Made that very stub axle during my apprenticeship on an old Colchester lathe

[@MTDCNC]

We've all got memories on those machines, such an iconic brand, long live the #colchester

[@RichardDowd]

Get that tool overhang sorted boys! :)

[@MTDCNC]

good spot ;-)

[@SWARFHOOK]

been a turner all of my life, that piece with the thread was running out.

[@MTDCNC]

was it ;-)

[@jdandcoke]

just a shame there not actually built in Colchester anymore

[@MTDCNC]

still good quality though

[@jdandcoke]

@@MTDCNC there was a time when things like MADE IN ENGLAND cast on record vices actually ment something. Now we have things like record or irwin made in China. Land rovers made in Slovakia. So for 600 to build a colchester anywhere other than in colchester just to make more profit. Thanks but no thanks. I'll stick to my roundhead student.

[@davidwillard7334]

The BEST ! WAS !! The CHIPMASTER !!!

[@tymekgoral4219]

Whats the point in manuals anymore ? Seriously ... why go old school? spend so much money instead of getting cnc lathes .

[@duodot]

Going from a decent CNC operator to a good CNC operator requires knowledge about manual machining and understanding of the fundamentals. Also, having manual machining experience separates a bad engineer from a good one.

[@tymekgoral4219]

@@duodot i would disagree but everyone has their own opinion . Ive never run a manual lathe but i program, set and operate cnc's and i consider myself as a good operator

[@tymekgoral4219]

@@duodot also my point was more of, why go old school when you should really go new school. This is why UK is behind with engineering

[@duodot]

@@tymekgoral4219 Yes, that I agree with. It is very important to keep up with the times and teach relevant skills, but it is my strong opinion that knowing how to do something the old way can give you a better understanding and appreciation for the new way.

[@MTDCNC]

We think everyone has to start somewhere, even if just for a day or two on these machines, you get a feel for a cut, we all know that feeling when you take to deep a cut at the wrong speed and feed, you can't replace learning this we even if its brief