Hembrug DR133 or Chipmaster?

[Erik]

Hi guys.

I have a Chipmaster, which I am giving a VFD instead of the variator.
And it looks like a nice, well thought out lathe. More fun than the other
Colchesters. Small feeds by belt, screwcutting through gears (of course
the gearbox is used also). Main spindle by belt with clutch and brake.

But now a _super_nice_ DR133 is up for sale locally (more or less).
The Hembrugs seem to have a good reputation, so I am interested.
But it has no clutch or brake. Looks like you open a hatch and move
a v-belt for high/low spindle speeds. And it has no driveshaft, just the
leadscrew. Isn't that a step backwards?

Should I sell the Chipmaster and get the Hembrug? Would you?

TIA

Cheers
Erik

 

[Peter from Holland]

Hello Eric

The Hembrug does have a combined leadscrew/driveshaft
It has a slot in the leadsrew
The DR133 was made for production It can do threading but it needs a lott of gears Also the speedchanging is pretty basic But furthermore it is a highend machine with a sturdy cast base and the bed and spindlehead as a single casting
So you keep the Chipmaster and you sell me the DR133

Peter from holland

 

[Erik]

Hi Peter.

Yes, I know it has a slotted leadscrew like the newer Myfords.
(so it's just like it has a driveshaft)
And the bed and headstock is one single casting. And it has
probably got thrust bearings for the feed screws. I like the
fully supported tailstock - like old high end lathes.

It's just that I have never tried to use one. I haven't even seen
one live.

About the only secondhand knowledge I have about it is from
Tony Griffiths' lathes website and a little from you.

From what you write I think the Chipmaster is more fun and
better suited as a hobby machine.

Hmm, I could sell it to you. But then we would have to agree
on a price (or some kind of a finder's fee). The seller won't sell
to machine tool dealers.

Cheers
Erik

 

[Lambert]

It`s been too long since I had my hands on a Colchester, back then I didn`t like it.
I remember everything felt kinda rough, could have been that specific machine tough.
Sorry, I have nothing more specific to offer on Colchesters.

I do know from lots of hours on them all Hembrug lathes are very high quality machines.
So I would get the DR133.
Without more info this doesn`t mean anything : the one you`re considering could be completely worn out for all we know.

Does it show Peter and I are from the country where Hembrugs were made ?

 

[Peter from Holland]

Does it show Peter and I are from the country where Hembrugs were made ?

Are still being made

No manual machines but perhaps the best hard turning centres around
Hembrug: Choose your language
they don`t support the manual machines anymore

Peter from holland

 

[Erik]

Hi Lambert.

Indeed it does show. And it's okay - one should be proud.

I just asked because the DR133 is very nice and the price
is right (I think). But there are few accessories with it. No
steadies. A 3-jaw and a nice 4-jaw, QC toolholder with 2 holders,
just a few changewheels - that's it.

My Chipmaster comes from a school - and the spindle nose
and the taper inside has been abused. And I can see the back
gear wheels has been abused too. But it doesn't seem to matter
- they run well. And I didn't get much stuff with it, but I have
new chucks for it. The feeds gearbox works well, and I can cut
all metric threads up to 6mm without additional changewheels.
WIthout a large changewheel set I can forget about inch threads.
I have had a Harrison M300 shortly - didn't like it. It was ugly.
The Chipmaster is really something else.

If I had not had the Chipmaster, it would have been a no-brainer.
Of course I would have bought the Hembrug - it looks that good.
It's just the itch of "Iron Temptation".

Cheers
Erik

 

[Erik]

Okay - problem solved.

It seems like it's gone now.

I guess the last price reduction made it too temptating.

Phew - good I weathered that one out. Back to the Chippie.

Thank you for helping me choose, Peter.

Cheers
Erik

 

[mikelkie]

Chipmaster

Hi guys.

I have a Chipmaster, which I am giving a VFD instead of the variator.
And it looks like a nice, well thought out lathe. More fun than the other
Colchesters. Small feeds by belt, screwcutting through gears (of course
the gearbox is used also). Main spindle by belt with clutch and brake.

But now a _super_nice_ DR133 is up for sale locally (more or less).
The Hembrugs seem to have a good reputation, so I am interested.
But it has no clutch or brake. Looks like you open a hatch and move
a v-belt for high/low spindle speeds. And it has no driveshaft, just the
leadscrew. Isn't that a step backwards?

Should I sell the Chipmaster and get the Hembrug? Would you?

TIA

Cheers
Erik

Hembrug,, nice machine but try to keep the Chipmaster as well, mine is also driven by vfd. I have a Weiler and a Student
to work on but the Chipmaster is stunningly accurate and reliable.

 

[Toppie]

Hi guys.

I have a Chipmaster, which I am giving a VFD instead of the variator.
And it looks like a nice, well thought out lathe. More fun than the other
Colchesters. Small feeds by belt, screwcutting through gears (of course
the gearbox is used also). Main spindle by belt with clutch and brake.

But now a _super_nice_ DR133 is up for sale locally (more or less).
The Hembrugs seem to have a good reputation, so I am interested.
But it has no clutch or brake. Looks like you open a hatch and move
a v-belt for high/low spindle speeds. And it has no driveshaft, just the
leadscrew. Isn't that a step backwards?

Should I sell the Chipmaster and get the Hembrug? Would you?

TIA

Cheers
Erik

Hi Erik,

I also want to install a VFD on my DR133.

Did you connect it to the main AC supply?

Thanks

Andre