Thanks, Carl. Glad my ramblings made some sense! Hope your family situation is improving and you will be able to continue your projects once higher priorities allow.

@@Workshopfriend Thank you for your kind words Clive. Just last week my wife had the last session of radiotherapy. She is doing well now. Happier times ahead. It has been quite a year thus far!

Glad to hear!

Thank you! Yes, from the outset it seemed a bit daunting but broken down into steps it wasn't so difficult.

Thank you, Andrew. It is interesting you had a similar experience exporting a top heavy machine. I assume it was one of your type setting/ printing machinery.

@@Workshopfriend It was indeed. A Monotype Composition Caster. I was downsizing and donated it to a working printing museum in Poland run by a friend of mine. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Then reality struck, how to get it from Berkshire to Poland. After a few weeks of struggling I managed to place the caster onto a pallet and built a strong wooden crate around it. Frustratingly it was wider than the pallet so I had to pay for a double pallet. Never again 🥴😂

I can appreciate just how complicated that must have been!

Thanks, Seamus. I hope that you will feel inspired to use your Mk 2 once again!

Thank you for your feedback!

Thank you for your thoughts and sharing your own experiences. It sounds as if by comparison mine was a positive experience! Ah yes, you mentioned before your retirement plans. I think I can guess the country and can probably envisage the situation with the pros as well as the cons of setting up a workshop there.

Thank you for your feedback. I didn't know that the rust inhibiting benefits of WD40 builds up with application. I certainly was pleased with the result.

Thanks, Paul. Yes, it is taking time to adjust though I still get to travel to the region. I tried to avoid the hole in the wall! Strange that the links didn't show up on TV. I checked that they are there.

Yes, sad to think that lathes are no longer made there. There is a good Colchester promotional video on YT from the heyday. Includes the manufacture of recognisable parts of this machine.

I didn't know that there was a substantial difference in the construction. I am certainly happy with the round head model.

Thank you! I might consider the plastic too. Last winter there were big fluctuations in temperature which led to condensation.

Thanks. No rush. When it is convenient. It takes time to move a workshop. Sadly I couldn't ship that too and don't have enough space here for it. If I could find a young local person interested I would gladly offer it to them free.

Yes it is well travelled; this is the second time I have shifted it. The first time we had to take it down 3 flights of stairs. It is now certainly much closer to its place of origin. I considered placing it on a surface I could slide it on but didn't want to keep upsetting the levelling (my floor is all over the place). On balance perhaps there isn't much to choose between the two.

You are fortunate. Hope you enjoy using it. (My previous responses didn't seem to get posted)

Hi I also have one identical in New Zealand it’s ex government form electricity department and also came with a near new set of Colchester collet chucks. I love the round top Colchester.

Good find with the collet chuck!

Thank you for pointing this out. I didn't think of the bearings! I assume this is more of an issue with these cheaper VFDs. I will investigate how I can add a brush to my lathe, mill and shaper motor shafts. My other items have higher end VFDs. I would prefer not to go for the rotary inverter option because I have already invested in separate VFDs and like the speed and torque control. This is a matter I intend to investigate.

​@@Workshopfriendthe technicians who work on larger Hvac systems in large buildings can talk about this issue.. they make clamp on rings that earth the motor shafts..all VFDS probably do this and I'd bet more so on the cheaper units..they also make ceramic ball bearings to fix this problem too.. it can be as simple as laying a bare copper wire on the shaft to earth..the heavy damage happens around 600 to 700hrs of use..so many guys at a home workshop never see this happen..

Thank you, Aaron, for your feedback. You may not need to dismantle it. The Bantam, though robust for its size, is a bit smaller than the Student - nominally 5in centre height. I haven't had the chance to view a Bantam but from what I see in photos it seems to have some features in common with the Student. I was able to partially dismantle my Student for removal down several flights of stairs without a manual so it is fairly intuitive. Removal of the saddle and apron require that the leadscrew and feed shaft be withdrawn first. I have a manual and parts catalogue for the Student Mk1.5 in pdf format which I can send you by e.mail if you write to workshopfriend@gmail.com You could purchase a manual for the Bantam from lathes.co.uk Their website also has some useful info on the Bantam. For some details of the Student assembly see one of my early videos: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j5tdm7VeuL2vaGg.html

Yes indeed, Willem! Singapore was on one of the labels attached to the box so I assumed it went there. It must have hung around in ports for a while en route.

I attempted to answer this question in the last section of the video which might help explain my particular circumstances. Also, having recently purchased a secondhand milling machine in the UK I know how much collection/delivery costs within the UK itself.

So right! 😅

Interesting to know your connection with Lahore. I purchased this from Murree but shipped it from S Punjab.

@@Workshopfriend When I was out there (British Council/ODA work) there was a Norton International 500 motorcycle that was for sale dirt cheap, and I almost bought it, but the prospect of arranging shipping was too daunting.

I wondered if that would be the case, but it seems not. The only option available to me was based on the most recent purchase price. Perhaps someone else knows otherwise(?).

@@Workshopfriend VAT on the transport costs, yes. Import duty and VAT on something made in the UK and BEFORE VAT, surely not.

I was hoping to avoid all taxes on the basis that I was bringing personal items to the UK. A grace period of one year is alllowed but my shipment fell outside this period. My appeal failed. I didn't have time or energy to pursue things further.

Thanks for mentioning this. Sadly, I don't have space or time just now. Perhaps someone else on this thread is interested!

@@Workshopfriend you are welcome.

It really wasn't that big an issue. It is straightforward to realign with the bed.

This is the first of yours I have seen! Earlier I had problems myself replying to comments.

@@Workshopfriend look like youtube issues

Clive I am about to purchase a danish lathe "Vesuv Prince". I checked your website very good info but I have a few questions about this lathe. especially about screwcutting.

@@Workshopfriend thread chart on this is Imperial but I need Metric. Do I have to change the threading gears?

Took a look at this lathe on lathes.co.uk Looks like a good small lathe.

No, I am a Christian who has lived in a Muslim context so understand the culture and belief system. Thanks for your comment.

Well, I did purchase it not so far from that place!

😂

Clive what was your position in Pakistan ? Kit from down under

Thanks for the hint. Just edited the video so it should pass scrutiny this time around!

I worked with the church in Pakistan, but found my engineering background came in useful for projects.

@@Workshopfriend I'm not a religious person, but I admire your courage. They are good welcoming people, but also surrounded by a lot of violent zealots.

😅...a few household items were added to the top of the box!