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Lathe choice has pickled my brain.

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
I am currently looking for a smallish lathe to add to my smallish shed!!

It will be mainly for pen turning but I will probably want to try turning bowls too.

Have looked at the Charnwood, Axminster and Record lathes and now am completely confused, so if anyone can advise me that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 

KevinMc

Graduate Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Posts
594
Location
North East England - Tyne & Wear
First Name
Kevin
I am currently looking for a smallish lathe to add to my smallish shed!!

It will be mainly for pen turning but I will probably want to try turning bowls too.

Have looked at the Charnwood, Axminster and Record lathes and now am completely confused, so if anyone can advise me that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Some of the guys on here professionally road test them and have those printed in wood turning mags...so standby I am sure you will get lots of help.

Kevin :banana:
 

Phil Dart

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Posts
5,455
Location
Colebrooke, Devon
First Name
Phil
Hi Graham - welcome to the Forum.

You don't mention a budget for your new lathe. For me there would be a clear favourite from the makes you mention without even looking at the specs, but the best lathe is the best one within your planned budget. Are you able to say which models you've been considering?
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Two determinates, Pens and Bowls so a larger pen lathe,look for variable speed control and 2 morse taper head stock and tail stock. For large bowls a larger lathe.

Peter.
 

yorkshireman

Wood Rat
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Posts
5,199
Location
wrexham
First Name
Keith
Record lathes are quality. Walter has done reviews on various lathes, do a search the info is very useful.
 

21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
As Phil says it depends on budget. I have an Axminster AT1416VS which is excellent but it may not be in budget. A friend has a Record Power DML320 which is also a nice Lathe.
 

Walter

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Apr 22, 2013
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Amble on the sunny Northumberland coast.
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21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
It may be worth mentioning that the bowl turning capacity is higher on the Axminster AT1416VS at 14” whilst the spindle capacity is better on the Record DML320. I think you may be able to get bed extensions for both Lathes though to increase spindle turning capacity if needed?
 

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Thanks guys, I think my brain was more frazzled than I realised!!!

I'm looking at the entry level lathes so £250 ish but if there is a more suitable lathe just outside my budget then I would seriously consider it.

Space is rather lacking as she'd is 3m x 2m and already houses mitre saw bench, table saw, drill press and planer thicknesser.

Will now go read the reviews that are mentioned above.
 

bigbob

Graduate Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Posts
557
Location
Inverness
First Name
Bob
Hi think with your budget you may have to start looking for second hand options. I started a few years ago with a second hand small lathe a Record DML 24 the seller threw in a box set of Record Chisels I think I paid just over the £100 mark. Later I added a small Record RP 2000 chuck I have upgraded to other Lathes with variable speed and 2MT. Now I have the Nova Comet II which I am pleased with. When I started I thought I was just going to turn pens but now I am turning bowls and boxes as well although very badly but am enjoying the learning curve. If I started again with the knowledge I have now I think I would have taken out a loan while the interest is so low and got the best for what space I had to put it in.
 

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Thanks guys I have looked for second hand but can't find anything locally.

The Record I looked at was the DML 250 the spec was similar to DML305 motor wasnt as powerful, the Axminster Hobby AWSL and the Charnwood was W815 I think.

My budget I quoted was just the lathe I know I'll need chisels and pen turning kit.

Found a Record DHL 18SH locally and it had gone, bummer looked hardly used and pristine! !
 

KevinMc

Graduate Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Posts
594
Location
North East England - Tyne & Wear
First Name
Kevin
Thanks guys I have looked for second hand but can't find anything locally.

The Record I looked at was the DML 250 the spec was similar to DML305 motor wasnt as powerful, the Axminster Hobby AWSL and the Charnwood was W815 I think.

My budget I quoted was just the lathe I know I'll need chisels and pen turning kit.

Found a Record DHL 18SH locally and it had gone, bummer looked hardly used and pristine! !

Do you mean it must be local... or a run out...

Saw this:
Record wood turning lathe | in South Croydon, London | Gumtree
 

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Would prefer any second hand items to be local I don't fancy travelling 200 plus miles to look at a lathe that might not be any good! !

So I may well be swayed to buying new as a few I looked at had 2 or 3 yr guarantees.
 

21William

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Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
Second hand Lathes come up regularly if you don’t mind waiting. You could try joining a local wood turning club as a possible source.
 

DaddyG

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Posts
127
Location
Redcar
First Name
Graham
Cheers have had a good look at the Teesside Woodturners Association and it's not far from me so am going to try and pop over for a meet.

Hopefully it will help but again it my frazzle my brain even more but at least I can get answers to my daft questions from those that know and have been through the decisions.
 

21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
Every now and then people at my club know someone that is giving up the hobby so tools, equipment and timber come up for sale. Just let folks know you are looking for a lathe to get started.
 
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