Warco WM180 Lathe REVIEW

I decided to buy Warco’s WM180 lathe. So this is my unboxing and first impressions of the Warco WM180. I will do a follow up to this once I have used it and familiarised myself with it. This is an unusual video for me to do but I feel like it is needed as the lathe is a big addition to the workshop. If people request it I will do more review videos including the majority of large equipment from my workshop.
Warco WM180 www.warco.co.u...

[@MachiningwithJoe]

This is my first review video on equipment from the workshop. If you like this warco lathe review drop a thumbs up. And if you want to see some more reviews of other pieces of equipment comment below.

[@campacolasworkshop6042]

Thanks for your videos, I am looking at this lathe & Warco only have one in stock with a DRO fitted. The regular motor failure issue is worrying though. Is the new motor OK? I am assuming Warco are only providing a 1 Yr warranty, but still better than any fleabay supplier I am guessing ?

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi Campa, So I’ve had no issues since fitting the replacement motor. These little lathes are brilliant and most seem to suffer from this issue unless you can get a brushless version. From my opinion Warco customer services are great and they tend to honour the warranty with minimal questions.

[@causewaykayak]

Dont know if you still monitor this 3yr old uploadbut I'm waiting for one of these to arrive. Exciting ! I wonder if you could spare five minutes to do me a small favour Im after the footprint size (inches or mm ) of the lathes cast iron bed. Im intending to mount onto a steel plate and it would help to get that in from a local firm before the machine arrives. warco sent a diagram from a manual but the dimensions of the bed itself are not on there. Thanks in advance 👍🏼

[@Festivejelly]

They had 10% off the DRO version so I picked one up. Seems like a decent enough small lathe for the price. Ideal for hobby stuff.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Yeah with a few minor upgrades you’ll be well away they are great little starter lathes.

[@jonofalltradesmasterofnone832]

Joe, I've had one of these for over 10 yrs and they are great little lathes the only issue I have had is a motor failure which warco replaced next day free of charge. Go over to ADEs workshop he works wonders with his.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi Jon funny you should say that. My motor also failed. I have a video going up today covering me replacing it. Have you done any modifications since to prevent this reoccurring?

[@jonofalltradesmasterofnone832]

@@MachiningwithJoe what I did was to remove the power feed to the lead screw unless I need it this reduced the load on the motor for every day use it also makes things quieter.

[@samlogosz8422]

@@MachiningwithJoe I have the same lathe. It doesn't say worco but from I understand with all these different brands there all made by the same company. I've had mine for about 2 weeks and it stopped working. I turned it on and it ran for about 30 seconds and smoke ran out from the back at the top and bottom. I think the control board and motor when are dead. I hope the company makes it right with me. From what I gather it's a common problem with these lathes.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Ahh Sam I’m sorry to hear this. It sounds like a similar thing that happened to me. I actually done a video on replacing the motor on these as you are right they seem like a common fault. I’ll add a link below to the video hopefully it will help you out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqrEq2Rri52jgck

[@derekwalton2704]

Nice vid mate, have one of these myself and it's been a good toy

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Thanks you. Yeah great little bit of kit surprising just what it can do.

[@jasonparker333]

Hi, When did you order this cos on their website it says out of stock for the last month now

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi Jason I order and received mid December. If you contact customer service they are really helpful and could give you an estimated date when they are receiving more.

[@nickmiller76]

According to what Warco say on their website, they often get shipments of machines in that never even make it into stock - they all go to people who have pre-ordered, so the status on the website remains pretty-well permanently at 'out of stock'. So I suggest you get a pre-order in, just email and tell them exactly what it is you want to buy. At least that way you're on the list, otherwise it's just an open-ended wait. Best of luck!

[@Dr_Evil_Prime]

Hi Joe, thanks for the review - you’ve gained a sub. I’m awaiting my wm250 this Saturday.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi thank you for subscribing and welcome to the channel hope my content helps you out in some way.

[@colinmartin2921]

It is a bit strange that the lead screw end nut was missing, because Warco claim that all of their lathes are bench tested! So did the fairies steal the nut?

[@MachiningwithJoe]

I suppose for the check they do it can still be tested without so no major issue.

[@tattoos1988]

Hey joe the sanou chucks are great quality mate they are the only ones I buy great accuracy every time looks at rdg tools as well they do some great deals

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Yeah rdg tools are good I’ve only ever used them through eBay I think they have their own website been meaning to give It a visit.

[@silktvPDR1]

Well done great bit of kit 👏

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Thank you and yes great little lathe for a beginner.

[@silktvPDR1]

@@MachiningwithJoe had mine over 10 years 👍

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hope it’s served you well after all these years.

[@ogaugeclockwork4407]

Nice review! Watch the lace in your hoodie when you’re using the lathe!

[@angah9337]

This lathe can make thread ?? Can u make some video use this lathe and make thread ... Male thread & female thread ... Please ...

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Yeah you got me my terminology on camera wasn’t very good at this point. I’m slowly getting there though. 😂😂😂

[@angah9337]

@@MachiningwithJoeok man ,, i waited for your next video ...

[@MachiningwithJoe]

@@angah9337 Subscribe and turn notifications on and you’ll be first to know. They go up every Friday at 4pm 👍

[@thecarnager1949]

Is there automatic feed on these lathes?

[@MachiningwithJoe]

So there is a type of power feed in the sense you can engage the half nut onto the lead screw and with the largest set of gears get a slowish feed. But to be honest not that good a separate power feed unit is better. I have done a video on this mod

[@Mystereed0]

Great review, if you still have the box handy can you please let me know the crate dimensions?

[@MachiningwithJoe]

As it happens Sam the pallet and crate are still in my van so when I’m next there I’ll measure it for you.

[@Mystereed0]

@@MachiningwithJoe Perfect, thanks, hoping to order one as soon as they are available.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Yeah they are a really good lathe I’m thinking of doing a follow up review video as I’m coming up to having the lathe 3 months now

[@Mystereed0]

@@MachiningwithJoe Great idea, I'd enjoy hearing how you are getting on with the replacement motor, I wish they did a conversion kit for brushless.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi sam so I finally went to the van today and remember to bring a tape measure. So the dimensions of the crate are 80cm long 46cm wide and 39cm tall and came strapped to a euro pallet. Hope this helps

[@Bob_Adkins]

Money was better spent on HSS tool blanks, carbide inserts are hard on mini lathes.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Hi Bob I have found the carbide insert tooling really good actually. One of my projects where I turned a piece of 304 stainless into a lightsaber blunted my hss tooling instantly. So the carbide has its pros and cons. But I do understand how cheap hss is compared to carbide 👍

[@Bob_Adkins]

@@MachiningwithJoeLucky you! Apparently, your machine is tight and rigid enough to use carbide. I would much rather use carbide wherever I can, but small lathes usually do better with HSS. I'm very impressed with that lathe, BTW! 304/316 is nasty, so your lathe must be very solid.

[@MachiningwithJoe]

Yeah I have to admit it is a fairly rigid lathe it’s one of the reasons i chose this lathe over the super mini lathe warco sell.

[@tattoos1988]

@@MachiningwithJoe my Chester conquest lathe was pretty floppy when I bought it some standard upgrades that cost nothing now it’s rigid I screwed the chip tray though a piece of 18mm plywood with some vibration pads on the bottom of the plywood straight into my bench the through the lathe feet through the holes in the chip tray I used some 8mm coach screws straight into my bench it’s solid rigid and if I wanted I can take a 2mm cut 1mm each side which I only did to check the rigidity of the lathe simple things like this take a ok machine to a great machine I turn axles for my projects on it I make a load of fishing items with it I turn steel , stainless, ally, brass and it works fine carbide tooling and hss work great on it now has done for 5yrs