mini max T120 wood lathe

[Patrick M.]

I would like to try my hand at woodturning and have found a mini max
T120 duplicating wood lathe aprox. 5 years old for sale. Is this a good
machine or a bad one? How much should I pay for this second hand
machine, are accessories available for it, if so where? Any help on
this subject will be much appreciated.

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Before you buy.

[Pierluigi Zezza]

Patrick M. scriveva:

>I would like to try my hand at woodturning and have found a mini max
>T120 duplicating wood lathe aprox. 5 years old for sale. Is this a good
>machine or a bad one? How much should I pay for this second hand
>machine, are accessories available for it, if so where? Any help on
>this subject will be much appreciated.

Are you sure about the model number?
The only latehe manufactured in Italy by MiniMax is the T124.
It's very likely that the T120 is a minor variation of this one, that I saw
when I was shopping for a lathe.

All MiniMax and SCMI woodworking machines are very good, but I wasn't very
impressed by the T124. My personal opinions are:

I don't like the bed (steel tubes) because it's not machined and so cannot
be really straight and flat.
I don't like the way the tailstock is aligned on the bed, sliding on
adjustable brass pads (essentally domed screws) on only one of the tubes
The duplicator and the steady rest are good, the banjo in decent, the
toolrestr is poor (bent steel plate).
Overall the machine is solid and very simple, but unsofisticated (this can
be a plus for some).
I've got no info on bearings size and kind.
Lowest speed is 570RPM and this makes it suited only for spindleturning and
small bowls. In my country the lathe is mainly bought by furniture makers
and joiners for making small series of spindles.

Specs:

Between centers: 1200mm (4')
Centre height: 210mm (8"), max working diameter 420mm (17")
Motor: 1HP
Speeds: 570,1000,1850,2500
Weight: 85Kg (190 pounds)
headstock/tailstock: Morse cone 2

Sizes in inches are approssimated. In Italy we use 50Hz current, so if the
US version has the same motor you should add 20% to all speeds.

Copying device:

Infeed: manual (by handwheel)
Max length: 1100mm (3'8")
Max diameter: 200mm (8")
Weight: 50Kg (110 pounds)

Standard equipment:

4 prong drive, live center, faceplate 130mm (5"), tool rest, spindle
locking pin, stand, keys.

For what is worth, in Italy all this goes for 1100$, NEW.
The duplicator is 500$, approx.
Find an SCM dealer in USA and compare prices for new with what you've been
asked for the used lathe.
The SCM group website for USA is http://www.scmgroup-usa.com/index1.html

I hope I've helped you a bit.

Pierluigi Zezza
Writing from Italy