Did RobW mention mini lathes

[RobW]

Looks interesting. The multi-unit should be OK with ABS & styrene if you can cut and not melt it. My concern would be getting decent tools for it - the collets aren't very big.

[jarndice]

I would expect that many of us have access to a Power drill,
I have a Dremel and a Dremel compatible drill press,
I also have a Bosch power drill and a Compatible drill press,
in each case the drill press has a drill press vise which has locating slots for bolts to hold the vise in place.
A decent drill press when you turn it over has channels that holds captive nuts that allows the user to bolt through the vise to the captive nuts bedded in the channels of the drill press,
The trapped nuts mean you can move the vise and then tighten the bolts and lock the vise in any position on the drill press bed,
Because of this facility I am able to use "Routers" and other cutting tools without having access to a "Lathe",
The restriction on the use of cutters in a non professional Drill and Chuck is that the spindle of many cutters is often larger than the chuck can handle but if you shop around you can usually find what you want,
I hardly need to add that the Drill press MUST be bolted securely to the work bench.
Shaun.

[jarndice]

I bought a "Tooltime" Drill Press for less than £15 which has a Depth Gauge and Drill Stops from "Amazon",
It is not the "Rolls Royce" of Drill Stands but it is fine as a tool in a hobbyists workshop where it is not in use 24/7.
Truly Cheap and Cheerful.
Shaun.

[jarndice]

Mick the Milling Machine you highlighted is available from a British Dealer on E-Bay under the heading---
"Mini Multi Function Working Vise Table Milling Machine Worktable for Bench Drill".
It appears to be identical to the one from the USA and it is considerably cheaper at £26.99plus £2.99 Postage.
Shaun.

[wibblywobbly]

Just to add that I have a cheap B&Q Powerline rotary tool that I bought about 15 years ago, it has an adjustable speed and has seen service on every model I have ever owned I think. I can shave off styrene and cut shapes with total control due to the slow speed setting.

I bought an expensive Dremel and drill stand 4 years ago, and it has never been used, it revs so highly even on its slowest setting that drill bits create a molten mess. A standard battery powered drill is way better. I even binned the Lithium battery packs and converted the drills to run off HL tank batteries, they last about 5 times longer and take about 10% of the time to charge.

Always fancied a lathe, but as I have a brother who is in the engineering trade he soon put me off the idea when he explained how anything cheap simply would not do the job for a variety of reasons.

[wibblywobbly]

His workshop was selling a lathe once, he was inundated with calls from railway modellers, and spent a lot of time trying to explain to them that what he was selling was well beyond anything that they would need or be able to make use of. It was quite big!

[jarndice]

MALLARDS LOL,
Thank you Mick I just woke my lady in the sitting room with my laughter,
We both know you meant "Mullards" but I can always do with a darn good giggle.
Shaun.

[RobW]

Maybe just right https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cl500m- ... ill-drill/ ?

I'm told that they're not that accurate, but that was by someone who has a Myford in his workshop and builds 5.5" gauge steam trains!

[RobW]

Yes Mummy bear....

All proper Land Rover owners wear wax jackets - it rains in the cab too! That lathe does need some extras, but the thread cutting tool that come with it is Imperial so good start. More a case of not having kids to spend all my money....

[jarndice]

Finally got round to setting up the Mini Milling Machine,
If you are going that way I would recommend spending a little more on a "Drapers 54488 Drill stand" which I got on offer from "FFX" for £56 freepost.(Usually £88 to £100).
I tried fitting it to my cheapo £15 drill stand but it was going to be a bodge and when I am milling something with detail I can do without the whole thing shaking.
The mill vice is firmly bolted into place at one end leaving plenty of space to work without disturbing any settings, The milling Machine is Good value at £27 Freepost and a piece of pudding to set up.
Shaun.