Andra & Zwingenberger vs STAR concensus

[LucaCan]

I've been reading as much as I can about Boley, Lorch and others. I have read that it is important to buy 8mm with as many collets as possible and to ensure parts that don't come with the kit, are available. The prices are crazy to me and feel I need one to be a complete watchmaker (watchfixer). STAR is a geneva style lathe and has 8mm collets compatible with lorch, so they seem to be readily available. I also see a few Andra type lathes for sale that fetch good money but less than Boley. So what would experts say about STAR or Andra. I am not looking to make a complete movement, maybe if I'm lucky get a lathe with a MILL, so that I can cut wheels and pinions. 

Something like these.

Thank you

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/356617929309

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/316393170921

[Dell]

I use a 10mm Pultra but then I only restore clocks what ever you get just make sure to buy complete as possible & if you have the money then you would not go far wrong with this

https://www.lathes.co.uk/chung/
And yes I know it’s Chinese but do some research you will find nothing but good reviews, if I serviced watches & could afford it I would have one in my workshop 

[LucaCan]

5 hours ago, Dell said:

I use a 10mm Pultra but then I only restore clocks what ever you get just make sure to buy complete as possible & if you have the money then you would not go far wrong with this

https://www.lathes.co.uk/chung/
And yes I know it’s Chinese but do some research you will find nothing but good reviews, if I serviced watches & could afford it I would have one in my workshop 

Thank you for the feedback back. I mostly need to be patient and see what comes up on the bay. Wanted to keep it closer to 2-3kusd. My goal is really to be equipped to fix vintage watches. That does mean making pinion and wheels. I may also look to sherline and add slowly what I need per my needs. 

[Dell]

Keep an eye out for Derbyshire as well because they are in USA and are still in business .

https://www.lathes.co.uk/derbyshire/

[SwissSeiko]

On 3/5/2025 at 7:12 PM, LucaCan said:

Thank you for the feedback back. I mostly need to be patient and see what comes up on the bay. Wanted to keep it closer to 2-3kusd. My goal is really to be equipped to fix vintage watches. That does mean making pinion and wheels. I may also look to sherline and add slowly what I need per my needs. 

Sherline is not quite accurate enough for pivot work. Although they do have some great accessories. A watchmakers lathe is better suited, if you can find a cross slide, youll find that its much quicker to use than the sherline. I have a Taig lathe that I use to make bigger parts and tools and it also takes collets. But ive found that my Moseley is much more accurate when re-chucking parts in the lathe than a Taig or Sherline. They are good for other things though, and you may be able to get away with some parts if needed.