CREWORKS 1100W 8.7" x 29.5" Metal Lathe,220mm x 750mm Benchtop Metal Lathe w 3-Jaw Chuck,50-2250 RPM Power Mini Lathe for DIY Machining Wood & Metal Working Tool

My new Creworks mini-lathe arrived ahead of schedule brilliantly packed in a plywood crate. The issue reported with other mini-lathes requiring a massive clean up of shipping grease etc. were not needed and this one was almost plug and go. This is a nice solid machine and has had good reviews, so maybe I was a bit out of luck on this occasion:So having set up the lathe in its final fixed bench position and undertaken standard adjustments and lubrication, I ran my first few simple tests with some brass and ally rods. These went well enough. Happy!However, I then noticed a clicking noise from the gear box area (left hand side) which progressively got worse and the chuck was jerking on rotation. A closer examination revealed a dodgy drive belt- there appears to be one or more teeth missing causing the clicking sound on each pass - see pics.Several further concerns given this was a new machine:1. While adjusting the carriage to reduce slop on delivery, I noticed that the two locking machine screws in the steel holding plates (that balance the three main tension screws on both sides) were missing on both sides. I added the missing screws from my own stock but on reassembly, found that the front left hand side locking screw was fouling the small carriage advance gear, so had to adapt by countersinking. The three main tension screws on the machine as supplied were loose, presumably because tightening these without the balance screws would have locked the carriage.2. The tailstock is incorrectly machined and slightly out of alignment and requires 10-20 thou shims to bring it to near alignment.3. The small magnets countersunk in the headstock drive wheel that count RPM were loose and scattered around the machine on arrival. I had to replace these and fix them in place with epoxy before the machine's rev counter would work.Given I had these compounding issues on a brand new machine, after discussion with Creworks who were both understanding and responsive, the company agreed to process a full refund. Their customer service is excellent.

I am a watch and Clock maker.I use this mini lathe for my work .There were few faults with this lathe but when i complain, the seller kind enough sort it out for very quickly .Overall i am happy with there service .i would buy more i cant find their catalogue !

The size described in the description of this machine is not accurate, and very misleading, it states 750mm between centres. it measures 750mm from the steel balk head behind the chuck to the tailstock centre tip when the tailstock is fully retracted. With this small centre lathe the actual size that can be machined and parted off is from the jaw of the chuck to the tip of the tailstock when fully retracted which is 600mm. On the good side it has a through bore of 38mm which is the size of a Colchester student. So 35mm diameter bar stock can easily be parted off at 600mm long. The height above the saddle to the centre is over 70mm 140 diameter. If this had been in the description on the machine it would get 5 stars for the price. I gave it 3 stars as there is 150mm of misleading information to an engineer. There is no way that 750mm between centres can be justified on this type of small lathe. I decided to keep the lathe as opposed to sending it back.

it comes with tools etc and spares, I have not used lathe for 30 + years, using for small engineering prototypes, comes with small cutting tools. Arrived on time as ordered.

Good for light duties without taking up much workshop space. Struggles with low power at low revs. A low gear would be handy.

Was it up to the JOB? YES, CREWORKS 600W 8''x14'' Mini Lathe to manufacture an obsolete part for a 1979-81 Honda XL500S Rear wheel Bearing retainer 41231-428-000, 65 x 18.5mm thread M50x1.5.Take your time, small passes, threading M50x1.5 simply done by manually changing the gear ratio. Only downside no Travel lock and not supplied with a Drill chuck.