Chester Hobby Store

I would like to thank the team at Chester Hobby store. I purchased the Centurion Lathe/Mill 800 and quite a few other lathe tools and accessories which where delivered promptly. (heavy kit so make sure you know what's coming). A lot of machine for the money and I am enjoying working on my projects with it. I consequently ordered a bandsaw HV85 and a enquired about a steady for the lathe. I was gobsmacked when they offered to send the fixed and traveling steadies free of charge. There where a couple of hiccups with delivery, but the team sorted everything making my experience a good one. I know many companies are struggling with staffing issues around the present pandemic, so sometimes patience and understanding is a virtue. Thanks again and please anyone reading this, don't expect anything FOC, but it was nice when it happened to me.Rachel L

A neat little machine to supplement my older Centurion Machining Centre.Mine came with a simple round head screw rather than a knob, to secure the cover over the belt drive which I did not like, I just knocked up a brass knob on my trusty Centurion.

I went to visit the showroom just before lockdown to see the lathe I wanted before I committed to buying it. The staff there were very helpful and just left me to look at my leisure without any pressure.I subsequently bought online without any problems whatsoever. Communication with Chester thoughout the buying period was good.The delivery was spot on to timings and my kit was delivered without a hitch.I am more than happy with my purchase (and the added bits I talked myself into buying) and have no reservation in recommending them.

Nearly 2weeks has past, wasted multiple days waiting on a delivery from their chosen courier that has clearly lost the pallet, everytime being told by Chester it will be with me at some point in the day and their courier would contact me. They wont refund my money until they receive the lost items back? Terrible customer service, I would suggest buying from one of the many other companies. Thankfully I bought with a credit card so they can claw my money back.

DO NOT BUYI recently purchased a Champion 20VS Mill from Chester. When I purchased this mill, the product page stated that it had 660mm of longitudinal travel. The actual unit that was delivered only has 490mm of travel. I rang the company and they confirmed that what I was seeing was correct for this product. The next day the page was updated and now says 620mm of travel (still very wrong).Every time I have contacted them about this issue I have been told my only option is return the product and they have proven unwilling to update to the correct information.I have also had a look at the Champion 16VS Mill product page and just from the pictures and comparing the values stated for bed length and longitudinal travel on that page, it is clear to me that that product is also listed incorrectly.I wouldn't trust a single value anywhere on this company's website and I would strongly advise against purchasing anything from them.Edit: I have attached photos showing the table at either end of it's travel. The ends of the bed prevent it from moving any further in either direction. The photos on the product page and the stated dimensions of the bed match exactly what I have here.The center mark shows a reading of 247mm on one side and 242mm on the other.247 + 242 = 489mmYour values are wrong.Update them.In addition, I posted a review on the product page for this mill. After a few days of saying Your review is awaiting approval"

Firstly ordered DB10 Super B lathe but received just the super then the 4-jaw chuck I order in place of the standard chuck would not fit and took 3 weeks to find out that the chuck was not right for the lathe and it should not have been supplied then the motor control board burnt out after only a few monthtrying to get the part replaced in quick time was a hassle in it's self kept leaving messages but no one ever phoned back finally after two weeks got the part I needed. overall I am happy with the lathe but the customer service is very lacking and you have to keep phoning

I recently bought a Chester Cub 630 that seemed to do everything I wanted it to. Very soon I found that a gear was damaged that made the feed intermittent. I emailed Chester Machine Tools and received a prompt reply from Mark Till in the Sales Dept. I sent a photograph of the gear, now removed, to him and after exchanging a few emails, was able to order a replacement which had to come from China. The gear arrived after about 2 weeks and was promptly fitted and the machine is usable again.Negatives:- found some parts of the apron on the lathe which had never been assembled correctly from new, but I have sorted the problems including making a safety clutch work which would have protected the gear!Positives:- Friendly, helpful service from Chester which saved the day. Impressed that the gear was still available for a 19 year old machine and arrived very quickly.Well done Chester!

I was considering buying a cheap mini Lathe from Ebay or Amazon, after doing a bit of research and finding out about the Chester machines I decided on a DB7S Mini Lathe and so glad I did, Service was superb and friendly delivery was fast on a pallet to my garage door.The machine came with an array of tools and everything to get going, after all the checks had been done and a good lube of all the machine I was away and I havent used a Lathe for 40 years, But I had a good teacher so you do not forget. The machine runs effortlessly cutting stainless steel, mild steel, knurling, drilling etc, plenty of oil is the game with these, fantastic machine Highley recommended.Phil D

Chester Machine Tools are an excellent company. In my five years' experience, they provide great value and a brilliant service.

I bought a Chester miller and now need to replace the lead screw nuts due to excessive wear resulting in backlash. I contacted them over 3 months ago and was told that they had some on order and that they would be with them in 10 - 12 days, I am still waiting. No doubt the delay will be blamed on the Chinese situation but these parts aren’t expensive so why don’t they keep some in stock. Time to look for a new miller, sadly I won’t be going back to Chester.Following your reply and against my better judgment I contacted your sales office on 4th August and received a response on the same day saying they were looking into it. Sadly nearly a month later I have heard nothing.