help choosing a new lathe
wombosi
Just came across this forum whilst searching google for various things
related to lathes.
I've been turning for not very long on an old Craftstman "monotube"
lathe. The tailstock is loose on it's track, and the tool rest is a
huge pain to move. I've turned a few nice balusters on it, but I would
like to complete the project (about 100 more for my porch) on
something a bit more heavy duty and untuitive.
I've been looking at used lathes for a long time on Craigslist - the
older deltas and rockwells, walker-turners, etc...
Ideally I'd like to spend no more than about $200 on something used.
I'm just not sure what is good and what is not. I have no problem at
all getting something from the 1940s.
I know that I'd like a huge mass of cast iron, and ideally cast iron
legs. Turning bowls to me is not an important feature, as I see mostly
spindle and table leg work and things like that.
If spending $500 would make an enormous difference over picking up an
old delta for 200-300, I'd like to know about. I don't think it makes
much sense to buy something new, unless I can find something great for
under $500.
THe balusters I want to turn are 2 3/4" stock unturned, so the lathe
needs to have enough power for this.
Any tips on what I should look for in terms of make and model?
THanks!
B
Dr. Deb
Given your parameters either of the two Harbour Freight lathes will get you
up and running.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98676
This one is a knock off of the Jet 1442 - I am currently using the Jet and
have owned the HF. Yes the Jet is better, but in my beginning days, the HF
did all I wanted to do.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34706
Now for you who are about to scream because I recommended the HF lathes.
Remember, "B" is a newbie and wants something better than the Craftsman,
but cannot afford to make the big step to a Jet or better. A few years ago
I bought the Jet 1442 for $736.00 and that included shipping. It is almost
twice that today. So given his parameters, the HF is not a bad choice. At
least it would not be for me, were I in his shoes.
Deb
The other one is smaller and cheaper, but might do for you
Rick Samuel
"Dr. Deb" <dgfr...@mon-cre.net> wrote in message
news:Tb-dnbdQ68czt3jX...@trueband.net...
Griz has a 16" 2hp on sale, $495, no shipping cost.
>
wombosi
wrote:
> "Dr. Deb" <dgfree...@mon-cre.net> wrote in message
thanks, all. what a great forum.
i too was surprised at the harbor freight rec. but it looks OK i
guess.
as for the griz 16", are you referring to the G0462 model? it looks
like a good deal, actually. i hate how dinky the tailstock looks.
what do you guys think about this rockwell lathe (46-111)?
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=36dbb6b891&view=att&th=1248eb88ad4469ce&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw
a guy has one for sale for $300 including about a dozen sorby chisels.
were it not for the chisels, i think $300 would be too much for this
lathe, right?
would i be disappointed in the steel stand? lots of wobble and
vibration? otherwise looks like a solid tool, though.
basically is my best bet to find like a 50s delta for $200?
thanks to all.
b
Ecnerwal
"Dr. Deb" <dgfr...@mon-cre.net> wrote:
> wombosi wrote:
> > Ideally I'd like to spend no more than about $200 on something used.
> > I'm just not sure what is good and what is not. I have no problem at
> > all getting something from the 1940s.
> Now for you who are about to scream because I recommended the HF lathes.
> Remember, "B" is a newbie and wants something better than the Craftsman,
> but cannot afford to make the big step to a Jet or better.
Yes, but if he can pick up an old Delta, Yates-American, walker-turner
or Oliver for $200 that's generally going to be a heck of a lot better
than a HF, IME, IMHO, etc... When some money collects again, if the
woodturning bug still has appeal, upgrading the motor to a variable
speed drive makes old north american cast iron delightful. HF is better
than nothing, but HF is never really all that good, either - it's all
been cheapened or lighted to the maximum possible extent, which is not
the case with 1940-50-60's machinery. I personally do fine with some
1880's stuff, but that's probably not the best course for a newbie to be
playing in if they don't have a very good understanding of rotating
machinery and Babbit bearings.
That said, I rarely see worthwhile old lathes that cheaply. Not never,
but rarely. There's some doofus locally that keeps flogging an old Delta
12-36 for $1000 - on the other hand, nobody buys it, so my conclusion
that it's seriously overpriced seems to hold up. I did pick up one for
free, but it's more of a project that a fully functioning lathe.
[Anybody that wants to swap a toolrest base for a tailstock base (no
ram), let me know.]
I have gotten decent older used lathes in the $250-400 range, but they
are not stunningly common, so it helps if you have a few months to shop
and also can act quickly when one shows up. If you also have burly
friends or a rigging company lined up, the ones down in a basement are
often cheaper ;-) Especially when someone is trying to sell a house and
doesn't want to take the lathe in the basement, nor leave it in the
house.
--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by
Ecnerwal
<0528ef10-a0c6-47a5...@f10g2000vbl.googlegroups.com>,
wombosi <schm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> what do you guys think about this rockwell lathe (46-111)?
> http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=36dbb6b891&view=att&th=1248eb88ad4469ce&a
> ttid=0.1&disp=inline&zw
>
> a guy has one for sale for $300 including about a dozen sorby chisels.
> were it not for the chisels, i think $300 would be too much for this
> lathe, right?
> would i be disappointed in the steel stand? lots of wobble and
> vibration? otherwise looks like a solid tool, though.
You're linking to google mail - not exactly useful.
Some steel stands are good, some suck. The sucky ones can be replaced
with a solidly build plywood (or other wood) bench. Lacking a picture, I
can't begin to guess which type you're looking at. A dozen sorby chisels
can run $300 alone, so the lathe is almost free....
robo hippy
for a bit and then added a 1 hp motor, and a heavy glue lam beam for a
stand. Had the lathe for 2 years before stepping up to a PM 3520A. If
you are near any local club (check out club listings on the AAW site)
contact them. Not only for demonstrations, but also for a used lathe,
tools and sharpening system. Seems some one is always stepping up, or
quitting, and you can find things pretty cheaply. Harbor freight might
be a step up from the lathe you have, but not much of one. If you do
decide to get into bowls, then you may want some thing else later, and
can sell the lathe you have.
robo hippy
On Oct 26, 6:51 am, Ecnerwal
<MyNameForw...@ReplaceWithMyVices.Com.invalid> wrote:
> In article
> <0528ef10-a0c6-47a5-b46c-3c02f923a...@f10g2000vbl.googlegroups.com>,
>
> wombosi <schmo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > what do you guys think about this rockwell lathe (46-111)?
> >http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=36dbb6b891&view=att&th=1248eb88a...
wombosi
sorry about the link. this might work: http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/images/4291-A.jpg
there is the same model lathe for sale near me for $300 with 2 dozen
chisels, 12 of them sorby.
it's on the original steel stand, which is my only hesitation. i guess
it's pretty hard to find old lathes with cast iron legs...
thanks all.
Ecnerwal
<3d211d27-e0d3-460e...@m16g2000yqc.googlegroups.com>,
wombosi <schm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/images/4291-A.jpg
Still shows hardly any of the stand. Regardless, I'd say buy it and use
it. If it vibrates, you can either upgrade the stand by adding to it, or
replace the stand. 3/4 inch plywood works wonders in bracing a weak
stand, and if you then build box sections into the plywood and fill them
with sand or shotgun pellets that damps vibration better than cast iron.
Or just toss the whole stand and use a heavy wood plank top supported on
plywood sand boxes.
Depending slightly on which dozen Sorby's you are getting, I'd still say
the lathe (and other dozen tools) is nearly free.
Have a look at the prices:
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/
DOC D
it.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005508/16400/RIKON-Mini-Lathe.aspx
Looks like it is on sale now too.
It is a great little lathe to use to find out if you are interested in
it and you don't spend a lot of money. The potential problems you have
with used lathes when starting out would be something I'd warn you
about. Do you want straight out of the box and turn it on, or
something that because it doesn't work exactly right you decide you
never want to turn again.
My .02.
Doc D
Clarence
I have a similiar lathe with 2" angle iron legs and it has done everything I
have asked it to do. I have an old 3/4 horse motor with oil reserves on the
ends. Good luck with your looking.
Clarence
"wombosi" <schm...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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