Introduction
I purchased a Clarke CM 300 mini-lathe about 10 years ago. I had had little experience of metal working or machining although I had always been a keen diyer and was familiar with working with wood, bricks and mortar, concrete etc. I needed a new challenge!
This website charts my journey from being a newbie through to the present time. This journey has had many ups and downs as I explored the potential of the machine and it has been driven by the desire to improve both the basic functions of the lathe and extend its versatility.
The Clarke CM 300 mini-lathe is made in China by Sieg Industries. It is basically the same as other Sieg minilathes that are marketed here in the UK by Axminster and Arc Eurotrade. It is also very similar to other clones of the minilathe, also produced in China, by Real Bull. These are sold in the UK by a number of companies including Chester, Warco, Amadeal and SPG Tools. The differences between Sieg and Real Bull are generally minor such as different key sizes, the shape of the cross-slide casting and apron, the provision of oiling points, electronic controller etc. However, the basic mechanical structure and overall dimensions are similar. Both manufacturers produce versions with built in tachometers. The latest developments in minilathe design from Sieg are a version with a brushless motor and a distance between centres of 16 inches whilst Real Bull have introduced a version with a spindle that will directly accept a 100 mm chuck rather than the standard 80 mm version. Most of the modifications and developments described here will be applicable to all the minilathe clones.
Some of the developments described on this website are original but many are borrowed from others that have published their work. In the latter cases often I could not resist the temptation to make what I considered to be small modifications and improvements to the original designs.
My initial experiences with the lathe were frustrating. You can read all about them here.
About 4 years ago I purchased a Sieg X1 micromill in order to increase the capabilities of my workshop. I have made very few modifications to this machine although I have made much of the tooling for it. A 6x4 bandsaw was also purchased. This does not increase the range of activities that can be carried out but it does save much hard work, as anyone who has hacksawed through a piece of 2 inch diameter steel bar will testify. I have made a number of modifications to this machine.
I normally work in metric and most dimensions will be given in mm. However, often raw materials are purchased in imperial dimensions so sometimes imperial measurements will be given. Detailed drawings are not included on the website but these exist for most modifications.
I would like to thank John Moran and Andrew Franks for encouraging me to build this site. Special thanks also go to Andrew Franks who has proof read the pages and made many helpful comments.
I would appreciate any constructive comments for improvements to the site. Please use the contact form below for comments, requests for more information, drawings etc.
This website charts my journey from being a newbie through to the present time. This journey has had many ups and downs as I explored the potential of the machine and it has been driven by the desire to improve both the basic functions of the lathe and extend its versatility.
The Clarke CM 300 mini-lathe is made in China by Sieg Industries. It is basically the same as other Sieg minilathes that are marketed here in the UK by Axminster and Arc Eurotrade. It is also very similar to other clones of the minilathe, also produced in China, by Real Bull. These are sold in the UK by a number of companies including Chester, Warco, Amadeal and SPG Tools. The differences between Sieg and Real Bull are generally minor such as different key sizes, the shape of the cross-slide casting and apron, the provision of oiling points, electronic controller etc. However, the basic mechanical structure and overall dimensions are similar. Both manufacturers produce versions with built in tachometers. The latest developments in minilathe design from Sieg are a version with a brushless motor and a distance between centres of 16 inches whilst Real Bull have introduced a version with a spindle that will directly accept a 100 mm chuck rather than the standard 80 mm version. Most of the modifications and developments described here will be applicable to all the minilathe clones.
Some of the developments described on this website are original but many are borrowed from others that have published their work. In the latter cases often I could not resist the temptation to make what I considered to be small modifications and improvements to the original designs.
My initial experiences with the lathe were frustrating. You can read all about them here.
About 4 years ago I purchased a Sieg X1 micromill in order to increase the capabilities of my workshop. I have made very few modifications to this machine although I have made much of the tooling for it. A 6x4 bandsaw was also purchased. This does not increase the range of activities that can be carried out but it does save much hard work, as anyone who has hacksawed through a piece of 2 inch diameter steel bar will testify. I have made a number of modifications to this machine.
I normally work in metric and most dimensions will be given in mm. However, often raw materials are purchased in imperial dimensions so sometimes imperial measurements will be given. Detailed drawings are not included on the website but these exist for most modifications.
I would like to thank John Moran and Andrew Franks for encouraging me to build this site. Special thanks also go to Andrew Franks who has proof read the pages and made many helpful comments.
I would appreciate any constructive comments for improvements to the site. Please use the contact form below for comments, requests for more information, drawings etc.
