I thought the OP was asking for experience of Arc Eurotrade v Axminster Tools as suppliers! But it seems that the thread subject has changed to comparing different "Mini Lathe" offerings.
My own was bought about 10 years ago and is badged Einhell, but after a lot of research it seems that unlike most others, my machine is actually NOT sourced from Sieg (apparently by far and away the biggest Chinese manufacturer) but by a Chinese company called something like "Red Dog" (not Red Bull!!). Very similar to the Sieg machines, but maybe (maybe??) a little better (e.g. induction hardened ways). Dunno.
So I have no hands-on experience of the Sieg machines, BUT it does seem from all that I've read that not even all Sieg machines are exactly the same - the EXACT specification, finish (not just colour), and amount of careful at-factory assembly, and what's included/not included apparently varies between the various suppliers.
For example, my own machine was not properly cleaned before despatch, so had odd lumps of casting sand, grinding dust, etc, inside, AND was covered with a protective brown "grease" which was very difficult to remove (referred to by many as "brown chicken fat" I believe). And as another example, the tailstock was NOT correctly aligned with the head stock.
But once properly prepared and set up - not difficult for anyone with a bit of nouse, normal hand tools, and access to the internet - it's turned out to be a VERY good little machine that does all I want it to.
So what I hear you ask?
It's not just the colour and the supplier that makes a difference to the prices. You must consider the full spec, and most especially, what's included/not included with the base machine as bought. For example I had to add a tailstock drilling chuck, bigger 3 jaw chuck, 4 jaw chuck, steady, mod kit to change to lever-operated tailstock (you'll soon get fed up with the bolted down type!), and IF it had been available at the time, I would have bought the long bed version (I've managed up to now, but it's been a bit tight for length sometimes - it's NOT just the length of the work piece you have to think about, you also have to allow for clearance all around the job, e.g. drilling from the tailstock).
I've often read that by the time you add the various bits & pieces like the above list, AND some cutting tools of course, you're budgeting for about double the initial cost of the machine.
I found the above to be very true, so any supplier who is offering a bit more in the initial package is well worth considering IMHO.
I THINK I'm right in saying though, that apart from "just" the price (!!!), any machine that you buy these days will end up being able to do all that you want it to - assuming of course you're not trying to machine a crankshaft for the QEII engines
Finally, there's a sticky listing all sorts of suppliers, web sites, magazines, etc, at the top of the Metal Working section of this Forum. I'd strongly recommend further research within those links before making a final decision about which supplier to choose finally.
HTH
AES
