Armortek

There is so much inspirational work to see amongst the Armortek builders that I've decided I should start a middle aged machine tool apprenticeship. Could I ask the experts for advice? I'm considering a lathe and a milling machine. Opinion on the web seems divided over the mini size. I'm specifically looking at the Warco mini-lathe versus their WM-180 and the mini-mill versus the WM-14.

I can't see a big difference in dimensions, just a significant difference in weight. I'm limited for space in my workshop and would probably go for the smaller size but for the advice on the web to go for the biggest size you can afford. So, can I ask if anyone has experience of the mini size and would it cope with the sort of work we do?

The two specific projects I have in mind for my Pz III are to re-profile the road wheels and to introduce the compound taper on the gun barrel.

Advice gratefully received.

Best regards

Stephen

Hello Stephen

How i decided what i needed was to get the biggest and and best spec that you could afford. I have a seperate Lathe and milling machine. Dont forget that you have to allow the same buget to tools. In fact that it has cost me twice the amount that i paid for both on tooling alone.
for tools i use JandL Industrial supplies. www.mscjindustrial.co.uk
Dont forget to put the Vat on aswell. They also do Machines. Hope this helps.

Lee

Hi Stephen
I have the WMT 300/1 combo at home and it is very good
mine is over 10 years old and still going strong it also comes with
enough tooling to get you going.
Chester's and Clarke's do the same machine and do different tool packages
you make the choice.
I held the Panther wheels in the machine to reduce the hubs it has a good swing over the bed.

regards

Derek

Thanks both. I really appreciate you taking the trouble to reply. Stephen

Hi Stephen

I would agree with Lee on this. Go for weight. Generally a heavy machine is a rigid machine, and that will produce the best results. Combination machines are good value for money but can compromise rigidity. Luckily we have an excellent supplier here in the west country. Axminster Power Tools offer a good range and we have been impressed by their after sales service on the tools that we have here. J and L are difficult to beat for tooling, and offer reliable next day delivery.

Mark

Thank s Mark. I've also been trying to weigh up the different marketing approaches. The Sieg suppliers seem to say that their products require a lot of preparation, with Arc offering to do the work for about £100. Warco say that their products are ready to use and come with accuracy reports and just light greasing. They also come from a different Chinese supplier. So there is another dimension to think about. I take your point about weight. Thanks as ever. Stephen

Hi Stephen
I also agree with Mark a heavy machine is the most stable.
I have worked in engineering for 35 years , My combo at home has a cast iron bed and takes 3 people to lift it with the milling head dropped off. However its milling capacity is restricted which is why I have been doing the Stug parts on the mill at work.
This is why the combo works for me. I have other options.
I really depends on how much milling you want to do.
I mainly use my combo at home as a lathe with the milling head swung out of the way.
I also bought a floor standing pillar drill last summer and it is used a lot.

Regards

Derek

Thanks Derek. I don't have access to machine tools at work so I'm looking to be self sufficient. I'm interested in this business of preparation/commissioning with the Sieg machines.

I've bought a pillar drill and I agree that it's been invaluable. I've cross drilled the suspension arms on my Pz III as suggested by Lee and I couldn't have done it freehand.

Regards. Stephen

Hello Stephen,

when you will have your lathe and milling machine dont forget to look this adress http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/
They have a lot of interesting tools expecially made for modellers.
Regards

Hi Stephen,

Like you I have fairly recently discovered the joys of swarf for the over-forties.

Once it became pretty obvious that my generic model-making skills were not going to be much help with my Armortek projects, I located and signed up with a local model engineering club (The Malden and District Society of Model Engineers, MDSME) and through the advice and help of the members picked up the basics. Some clubs do have workshops, often with heavier duty machines than an individual could either afford or have home workshop space for. There seem to be a good number of clubs in the South West, so a little Googling is probably needed.

Having access to the tools and knowledge base has allowed me to only invest in what I need to make smaller items, a small Warco BV20 (metric) lathe, a small Warco Mill/Drill and a second-hand Astra pillar drill. May I also recommend a couple of books: Model Engineering by Peter Wright, ISBN 1-85486-152-2, and the Workshop Practice Series by Nexus, especially no's 2,8,9,20 and 36.

However the best source of ideas and information remains this forum and the willingness of many experienced model engineers to help with practical advice.

If you need more details on Warco kit just PM me, rather than take up endless space here!
cheers, Fabrice

Thanks to everyone who has contributed. Regards. Stephen