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Looking For Advice On Lathes

sharpy

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Posts
33
Location
north derbyshire
First Name
matt
im a complete beginner in the world of turning and im currently on the look out for my first small lathe to start turning pens etc. (which is why im on here) what would anyones recommendation be for my first lathe. there seems so much choice its just difficult to know where to start.
thanks in anticipation
 

Terry

Chairman Plonker
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Posts
9,504
Location
An exile Geordie living in Kingston upon Hull
First Name
Terry
im a complete beginner in the world of turning and im currently on the look out for my first small lathe to start turning pens etc. (which is why im on here) what would anyones recommendation be for my first lathe. there seems so much choice its just difficult to know where to start.
thanks in anticipation

There is a lot of choice Sharpy so give us your budget for the lathe not including tools and we can take it from there !!!!
 

Doug

Loquacious
Executive Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2013
Posts
6,647
Location
In the wood shop
First Name
Take a guess
The old adages, buy cheap buy twice & you get what you pay for certainly ring true when buying tools DAMHIKT.
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Sharpy, it really is down to your budget ..

As a starter lathe you can start by looking at this one from Jet .. Jet JML-1014 or they have a package deal on at the minute which you would probably have to buy anyway See It Here

The next one up is the Jet JWL-1220 ...

This lathe i had myself for a few months which i would put my name to, but it is a big jump in price Axminster AT1416VS

Just a few to consider, but read the sound advice that Doug has said when making your choice .. Good luck my friend and we welcome you to this great hobby we all have in common ... :thumbs:
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Welcome Sharpy. You have a wealth of choice for lathes from mini lathes that are good basically just for pens to midi lathes that can do most things and some with swivel heads to bigger things, to big man lathes (I haven't got one... yet). Prices are from about £150 to ... well lots.

It all depends how much you intend to do and that won't probably be how much you do. When I started I bought a lathe and other bits on ebay for £150, the best thing I could have done.. for me. I still have that lathe and its turned hundreds of pens and also have another Axminster lathe. I use the cheaper one most although it is probably on its way out but its served its purpose.

I guess you don't know what you want to turn mostly at the moment so my suggestion would be buy something cheap with the knowledge that you would buy another in a relatively short time, one that would suit your needs.

Just my opinion... :winking:
 
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