Ryobi mini-lathe
Nick S.
I'm not sure it's gotten very good marks here or anywhere else. This is
royobi trying to cash in on the pen-making craze. If that and other
small
craft items are your interest, there are other better small lathes.
Consider (in no particular order):
Bonnie Klien Lathe
CarbaTec (I is better than II)
Orca
Record
Vic Marc
Nova Comet
Jet
Cheers!
phi...@macn.bc.ca wrote:
> I am considering buying a Royobi Model ML618 mini-lathe
> looking for feeback good or bad points or recomendations.
phi...@macn.bc.ca
kev...@bellsouth.net
In article <3532b80...@macn.bc.ca>,
phi...@macn.bc.ca wrote:
>
> I am considering buying a Royobi Model ML618 mini-lathe
> looking for feeback good or bad points or recomendations.
>
I've been turning on one for the past 6 months and I am proud to say that I
haven't had any problems with it. I've turned bowls, goblets, candlestick
holders, and pens with it. I definately would recomend it to anyone looking
for a low cost small lathe.
Here are what I consider the finer points:
1) Low cost.
2) Variable speed control.
3) The rails holding the toolrest and tailstock are detachable.
4) There is a hole through the motor housing which allows you to insert a rod
to get the drive center out. (It will get stuck. They all do.)
To be fair, here are what I consider the not so fine points:
1) The deminsions of pieces you can work with over the rails is not the 4 3/4"
they advertise. I've had troubles with peice that are over 3" with the rails
in place.
2) A 2.5"x2.5"x6" caused signifcant vibrations at a speed of 1200 RPM with the
rails removed. When the rails were attached, the vibrations didn't become
significant until the speed was over 1800.
3) Vibrations tend to move the knob which controls the speed. I've had a
piece start at 1100 RMP and by the time I had noticed the change, it was
spinning at 1500 RMP.
All-in-all, I think it is a good lathe to start out with. For a low
investment, you can decide if turning is a hobby/craft/career you want to
stick with.
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James R. Shields
Take a look at the new Jet Mini Lathe. Cost about $330. All the specs and
picture can be found on the Jet Tool website. I just bought one and the
quality is exceptional, probably because it's made in Taiwan.
phi...@macn.bc.ca wrote in article <3532b80...@macn.bc.ca>...
Larry Burris
Personal opinion only... I destroyed a Ryobi orbital sander in about 3
days... had bought it because it was labelled "professional" versus
"consumer". Since then I've read many reviews on other Ryobi products that
note how weak they're motors are, etc. They usually look good ergonomically,
good fit in the hand, convenient features, but they're really under-built.
Ryobi advertises peak horsepower, for example, I assume because people would
laugh at them if they stated the true rated horsepower. In fact, I remember
the wood-worker-guys I used to get advice from when I first started buying
power tools laughed when I asked about Ryobi... every one of them!
Of course, now I should tell you I don't use a lathe (that oughta boost your
confidence in me! <g>). In fact, I'm looking to buy a good used one myself.
But it won't be Ryobi.
Good luck!
- Larry
"That's my opinion, which is mine!" (I think "Ryobi" might be Arabic for
"joke" <g>)
phi...@macn.bc.ca wrote in message <3532b80...@macn.bc.ca>...
dick...@fast.net
> looking for feeback good or bad points or recomendations.
>
Don't let the shavings build up on the motor. It tends to get hot if it can't
"breath." I use it as a demonstration lathe. It's portable, but no
lightweight. Frankly, I have a couple of really decent Ryobi tools, a belt
sander and the chip carver. They're fine the way I use 'em. But, with a
lathe, please buy the best you can afford and if you can't afford about $325,
save up. One more thing.. DON'T BUY A SET OF TOOLS!!!!!!! Purchase them one
at a time as you develop the need for one. Half the tools in a set are
useless and/or redundant.
Kenneth Moon
I was considering one of these. I talked to a high school shop teacher who
had several in his shop class. He said they would be OK for light duty
work, bur they were a little on the flimsy side for continuous duty work.
The plastic knobs, etc, tend to break easily. I like the design with the
removable ways, but just wish it had a little more heft.
--
Ken Moon
Webberville, TX.
phi...@macn.bc.ca wrote in article <3532b80...@macn.bc.ca>...
H. Blair Downing
phi...@macn.bc.ca wrote:
>
> I am considering buying a Royobi Model ML618 mini-lathe
> looking for feeback good or bad points or recomendations.
I turned on one for almost a year. I did tops, candlesticks, goblets,
bowls, spindles. It's not the best lathe in the world, but it is a good
small lathe. (Don't expect more than it can offer.) I definitely got my
money's worth. Of course, I got mine used for $50. :)
blair
Mike Liening
In article <3536C6...@mindspring.com>, hbd...@mindspring.com says...
I've had mine for about a year and a half. I've made mostly pens, candlesticks
and small bowls. Right now I'm just finishing a bowl of Ambrosia Maple that
was 10" x 10" x 4" rough. I'd never do anything that big on it again, but I
owuld think it should handle 6-8" x 3" fairly well.
-Mike-
--
(Remove the - from my address e-mail me directly)
Neil Lithgow
Mike,
I had one for a short while but got rid of it because you cannot tighten
the tailstock firmly without pushing the headstock back. The lathe is
ideal for light/average spindle work but was never designed for heavy
work. It is nice and light as a bench lathe and is quite portable.
Runs very true and quietly. Normally delivered with 4 speed pulley
systems.
So long as you use this light lathe for light work it is as good as
gold. However I wouldn't takle heavy jobs.
Regards,
Neil Lithgow
Auckland, New Zealand