Colchester Master 2500 Centre Lathe

We have an Ex TAFE, good used condition Colchester Master 2500 Centre lathe for sale.

Ex-TAFE, good used condition. These Colchester lathes have trained generations of Australian tradespeople and remain one of the most trusted names in the industry. Colchester lathes sold in Australia were either shipped complete from the Colchester factory in Essex, England, or in some cases built locally under licence by G&L Sheraton Lathes in Melbourne, using imported headstocks and locally made parts — a reflection of just how strong local demand for these machines was.

Why Colchester?

Colchester Lathe Company was established in Colchester, Essex, and by the 1950s had become part of the 600 Group, the UK engineering group that still owns the Colchester brand today. Colchester built its reputation supplying government and trade training institutions worldwide — which is exactly why so many good used examples like this one turn up ex-TAFE. Decades of use in training environments means these machines were built to handle constant, heavy-duty operation and still hold tolerances well when properly maintained.

The Master 2500 was manufactured up until the mid-1990s and was the “square line” redesign that replaced Colchester’s earlier round-headstock lathes, launched alongside the Triumph 2000 and Mascot 1600 — a shift in styling and control layout that set the benchmark other manufacturers were chasing for years after. It was built as the harder-working sibling to the Student 1800, sharing the same bed and general layout but with a stronger clutch and drive system specified for serious production and toolroom work rather than light training duties. Features like the wet-plate multi-disc clutch, induction-hardened and ground bed, and Gamet super-precision spindle bearings were all specified for long service life under real workshop conditions — which is exactly what you’re getting in a well-kept ex-TAFE example.

Specifications related to the lathe are as follows
Origin, English made
Swing Over Bed 335mm
Swing Over Saddle 210mm
Swing in Gap 480mm
Distance between centres 1m
Spindle Bore 40mm
Spindle mount Camlock D1-4
Spindle Speeds 30 to 2500 rpm
Motor Hp/Kw 5HP/3.7KW
Power requirements 3 phase 415 volt
Overall dimensions 2.1m x 1m x 1.6m high
Approx. weight 1 ton

Features
Metric machine with metric dials
lever operated brake

Accessories
Self centring 3 jaw chuck
4 jaw independent chuck
Quick change tool post
Dog plate for turning between centres
Thread chasing dial
Coolant system

We recommend customers pay us a visit to inspect machinery, where we are happy to test run machinery in our warehouse, that way it gives you peace of mind that the machine will do your job before purchase.

This milling machine is in our warehouse so please feel free to call us for more information & price or pop in to inspect the machine at your convenience.

We are always interested in purchasing metalworking machinery & surplus equipment. Should you be looking at Downsizing, Relocating, Closing Down or having machinery surplus to requirements, we would appreciate the opportunity to assist in any way we can.

We would like to extend a note to all prospective customers. We are happy to provide details of freight companies that transport machines anywhere in Australia or worldwide. However, we want to remind customers that the machines are not insured during transport by either the transport companies or Newmac Equipment. We strongly advise that customers speak with their usual insurance company to take out transport insurance.