birmingham or jet lathe or???

I am wanting to buy a bigger lathe 22-80 maybe a bit bigger or smaller but definately not much smaller. I have been looking at either birmingham or jet
My questions are in concern with quality of the chinese lathes, basically are they any good? what other brands are suggested?? I have been advised to stay away from older possibly worn out lathes.true or false
also if anyone can help tell the difference between a birmingham dl and a ycl besides $1200. thanks Paul

I'd look seriously at the older machines. There are surprising numbers of older machines on the market with very little wear... shops going out of business, changing focus, etc. I just bought an older 16" Summit that has some faded and worn paint and some grime on it, but is in great overall condition. A couple years back I taught machining (evenings) at our community college. We finally got approval to buy 3 new machines so the daytime instructor and I set out to find the best machines for the money. After a lot of research, we decided on (new) Summits. I'm sorry to say that after this short of a time, they are not holding up as well as I had hoped. Having said that, they ARE holding up infinitely better than the Sharp lathes he (other instructor) bought a couple years before that. Of the 3 Sharp lathes, one still runs. (the other two are scrap) My point is this... probably doesn't matter which brand you buy or how much money you spend, the quality just doesn't seem to be there. As I mentioned at the beginning, for my money, it's worth hunting up an older machine (in reasonable condition) and "detailing it out" and running it for another 20, 30, or 50 years... kinda like old tractors??? ...D

I just bought a Leblond 15 x 54 for under 3K with a DRO and $ 800 quick change tool post. It is a good solid lathe.

I would look at an older one in good shape, unless it has been abused it will normally be a better machine that the new Chinese ones. You will be able to tell the difference when you start using it.

We had a old Lodge and Shipley that was ancient when i started working at the shop 25 yrs ago. We just took it out of service a few months ago to put a CNC mill in and it was still a good lathe. We have a Colchester that is good but I don't think it will last as long as that one did, I know it won't if we ever start cutting on it like we did on the old one.

Got a Bridgeport mill that is just youg enough to not be a belt drive and it is tighter and runs better than both the Sharp and Allient that we have bought in the last 20 yrs. maybe it is just the old toolmaker in me but I like the older ones in good shape. they are generally built heavier and the quality is better.

If you want something to do light work in and not use it alot one of the Chinese ones ewill be ok but I'm partial..

I have a birmingham 14-40 and have been very very pleased with it. I don't use it for production work, but do use it a few hours per week. I just cleaned the goop off the ways when I got it and put it to work. I put a good DRO on it and do most of my work in the .0002-.005 range. With the right tooling, it's a champ.

I debated on buying a worn used American lathe or a new Chinese one. I'm glad I bought a new one. After 4 years, it hasn't let me down.

I have run many of the older lathes some that were converted from over head system to motor driven I can't say to much for those old machines compared to today's junk they will still be around working in shops for many years to come. Look at the ways if they are not worn down then you can rebuild the bearings and have a good machine for many years to come.
Walt

MR2 Navy Class "A" machinist school 1959.

Bought a new overseas made lathe many years ago and I had to go over it and clean it out and the tail stock was off so had to have it machined.
I'd look for an older name brand lathe still in good shape. Then if you can't find one go with an import from a company that will sell you parts.

Our Birmingham has been better than the 2 Jets we have had in our shop. Also the US Industrial has been a good import lathe for us, we have had 3 of them, from Machinery Sales in Memphis TN

I think I'd look for an old one myself. I don't have any experience with the ones you mentioned, but if they're made in China I'd steer clear.
An old Colchester, Southbend or DSG would be fairly easily found around here...

Rod