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Lathe advice please

BigAl999

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Posts
4
Location
Stockton-on-Tees
First Name
Albert
Hi I am looking to purchase a mini lathe for pen turning . But I am getting so confused I need a bench top lathe that is not to big as bench space is limited. Something about the size of my 7x14 metal lathe would be good.
I have seen the Axminster one bit £425 is stretching my budget to the max.
I do not want to buy a lathe to learn on only to buy another later would rather buy one that will be ok for many years to come.
Any advice would be great
Thank you
Albert

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Themackay

Fellow
Joined
Feb 27, 2014
Posts
2,510
Location
Aberdeen
First Name
Alan
Thats one of the problems buying a lathe that you think will suit your needs and as you develop in your woodturning you find you need/want something bigger obviously budget is an issue also
 
Joined
Dec 14, 2017
Posts
1,105
Location
Lake District
First Name
Craig
There are quite a few to choose from, most with good and bad points. Depending on your needs the record power DML305-M33 is a solid lathe. Do you want variable speed though??

Regards

Craig
 

BigAl999

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Posts
4
Location
Stockton-on-Tees
First Name
Albert
Hi veriable speed control would be good but changing drive belts ok
Will look at the one you suggested any others you can suggest
Albert


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Joined
Dec 14, 2017
Posts
1,105
Location
Lake District
First Name
Craig
Hi veriable speed control would be good but changing drive belts ok
Will look at the one you suggested any others you can suggest
Albert


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Hi
I personally couldn't recommend any others. I've not been turning too long and have only used axminster and record power. You will get plenty of others giving you ideas though. Best of luck

Craig
 

Vic Perrin

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2014
Posts
8,215
Location
Rugeley Staffs
First Name
Vic
It all depends upon what you want to do mate. I started off with a small cheap lathe that I soon grew out of. My next lathe which at the time I thought would meet all of my expectations did not last much longer. I bit the bullet and saved up my pennies and went for the Record Maxi. It was a lot of money at the time but well worth it. I can now accommodate anything I want to turn from pens to miniture items right up to 29" diam bowls and platters. I've had it over 7 years now and to be honest I can't fault it.
 

21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
I’m not sure why you want a wood turning lathe if you’ve got a metal turning lathe? All you need is a hand rest for it. Turning parallel pen bodies is a doddle on a metal lathe, much more trickey on a wood lathe.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Also suggest you look for Turning groups near you you can visit to see for yourself and get unbiased help you need freely given.

Peter.
 

BigAl999

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Posts
4
Location
Stockton-on-Tees
First Name
Albert
Thank you all for all your help I will start with my metal lathe and see how it goes before deciding my next step
Albert

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Pierre

Graduate Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
996
Location
Southern Central France
First Name
Pierre
Actually any lathe that you can afford and put on your bench or in your workshop will do, if it has a capability to turn then it will work. The most important thing is that the point on the headstock matches up with the point on the tail stock....If it doesn't then it doesn't matter whether it cost £1-00 or £1000000-00 its useless.

Yes it would be great if it could hold a mandrel and that the mandrel is versatile and can hold many things and that the internal holding points are 2 MT because 1mt is less catered for and 3 MT is for huge lathes and big pieces; it would be even better if it had variable speed and could turn 2 metres in diameter (mine can). But it is useless if the centres are not 'in centre'.

I started on a record CL1 and made a fair amount of money on it, it could turn the headstock and make bigger bowls and it made beautiful pens, then I became more proficient in the tool usage and could cut deeper and faster and make bigger bowls so I bought a 3.5 HP machine; it still makes beautiful pens and big bowls and boxes and huge off centre wall hangings but I made sure that the points were dead centre.....0.05mm out is bad workmanship.

Finally, are you a business or a hobbyist? there is no difference in their competence or quality, merely in the drive for quantity and production speed, as a business I needed to produce...... as a retired business I have the luxury of the kit with the aimlessness of the hobbyist. Retirement with the kit is fun :winking:

PG
 

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
It a personal thing but I dont like turning wood on my metal lathe, the dust gets every where an sticks to the oil.:vangry:
The twats the had my Hercus 260 turned wood on it and the little bit I have looked in side of it, there is wood dust, chips every where.:vangry::vangry: The one is the next one to get rebuilt.
 

BigAl999

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Posts
4
Location
Stockton-on-Tees
First Name
Albert
Hi I am 63 so plan to give myself till retirement to get good enough to make pens people may want to buy.
Not expecting to make a lot of cash more to keep me busy.if I buy the right kit now and get good quality I should be ok to get my self proficient enough.
A list of other items I need would help already have a drill press,band saw,chop saw,metal lathe.
I would also like to make pen boxes to match pens.
I have done some silver work in the past so looking to add some value that way as well
Have I allowed a reasonable time scale to learn do you think.
Also what would be a rough idea of what I could get for a pen in a handmade box with and without silver additions.
Albert


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Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
How long is a piece of string Albert? To properly price your pens and boxes you will first have to make some and prove proficiency to match pricing. Enjoy the journey by seeking wood groups near you.

Peter.
 

21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
Albert, don’t be tempted to buy any special pen making jigs, they’re often a waste of money. If in doubt ask on here first.
 

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hi,

I bought a Axminster lathe like the one you have mentioned. It is abolutely excellent. I have turned bowls, spindles and pens. Should last you for years.
Not cheap I agree but not as expensive as the Jet of similar specifications.


Regards
Frederick
 
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