Coronet Major - A dilemma

[RzB]

I recently purchased a job lot of woodworking tools/machinery.
Amongst the bits was a Coronet Major. This is a lathe, table saw,
planer, thicknesser combination from the 60's "ish"... see pix.

http://www.oofus.com/pix/RBPics/Lathe-for-Web.jpg

The dilemma is - what to do with it? I am a complete newbie as
far as turning is concerned. I do not want to get heavily into
turning but would like a lathe for the odd time that it's needed.
I have no need of the saw table/thicknesser/planer.
Should I sell it?
Should I keep it - just for the lathe part?
Is this a suitable machine for a newbie?
Thanks,
Roy

[Shrek]

"RzB" <Ple...@Reply.To.Newsgroup> wrote in message
news:UDCdnSJQs7n...@tcp.co.uk...

Looks like a fabulous bit of kit, personally I would keep it, as it looks to
take up little more space than a lathe on its own.
or if you're going to sell it, how much?

--
Ian Tilley
Ex-Kirklees Domestic Engineers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/appliance-repair
it's free

[Andrew McKay]

On Sun, 8 Jun 2003 21:20:05 +0100, "RzB" <Ple...@Reply.To.Newsgroup>
wrote:

>The dilemma is - what to do with it? I am a complete newbie as
>far as turning is concerned. I do not want to get heavily into
>turning but would like a lathe for the odd time that it's needed.

Like all power tools lathes (and the attachments) can be lethal in the
wrong hands. You really don't want to be treating that machine as a
toy - if you start turning wood and offer up a chisel in the wrong
manner then you would stand a chance of the chisel being taken
forcibly out of your hand and thrown at pace across the room. It could
conceivably find its way into your body.

At the very least you should consider attending night school to get
some tuition on how to use a lathe properly. You have to do some real
simple things like stand at the lathe in an appropriate manner
(position of feet does make a difference!).

In short I would recommend getting rid of the lathe if you've never
used one before. Buying a book isn't a solution in this situation.

Andrew

Problems scheduling resources? Check out
KazPlan Enterprise and Personal Editions!
at http://www.kazmax.co.uk/OurSoftware.asp

[Andy Dingley]

On Sun, 08 Jun 2003 22:59:38 +0100, Andrew McKay
<E-7B777...@kazmax.co.uk> wrote:

>In short I would recommend getting rid of the lathe if you've never
>used one before. Buying a book isn't a solution in this situation.

Absolute fucking bollocks !

What sort of wimp are you ? Apart from anything else, lathes are one
of the safest power toosl around. They've a far lower accident record
than table saws and a lathe accident is much less messy than a planer
bite.

You can walk into Machine Mart and walk out with a lathe and no-one
will bat an eyelid. What's this "Ooh, scary power tool" crap ?

I was out at a green woodworking do at the weekend, watching 12 year
olds being taught to turn when they'd never even held a chisel before
- and that was on a pole lathe, which is much more likely to catch
than an electric-powered one (although it won't throw a chisel far if
you do)

I'm no fan of multi-tools. I don't think the idea works. They don't
save money, because motors are cheap these days. They don't save space
because you have to allow working space all around the machine (roller
bases on separate machines work better). But it's what you've got, so
make use of it.

Maybe the saw is a little scary (watch out when ripping on small
blades, but it looks as if there's a riving knife on there, which is
more than my Wadkin has). Maybe the jointer will send you on a
fruitless search for sharp knives, then drive you mad when you try to
adjust them (mine uses HSS disposables that are self-setting - 5
minute job to swap them). But it's a workable lathe, especially if
you've some other chucking options too, and a horizontal drill press
would save me some trouble right now for chair-making.

Besides which, it's shiny and painted bright red. Who could part with
that ?

If you want to turn, then go for it. rec.crafts.woodturning might be
helpful. I learned my woodturning technique from magazine articles
(Fine Woodworking) and Tage Frid's book. I'm no turner, but these
taught me the basics (which cudgel to use, and never to use a
scraper). Besides which, there's a huge masonic conspiracy of turning
duffers. Go down to any allotment, sniff out the smell of Old Bruno
from a freshly creosoted shed, and you'll have found a nest of
turners.

I can't see a Coronet lathe being worth £500, but this guy is hopeful:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2327695966&category=29528
Although maybe that "13 foot between centres" is true ?!

[Andrew McKay]

On Mon, 09 Jun 2003 03:08:34 +0100, Andy Dingley
<din...@codesmiths.com> wrote:

>What sort of wimp are you ? Apart from anything else, lathes are one
>of the safest power toosl around. They've a far lower accident record
>than table saws and a lathe accident is much less messy than a planer
>bite.

Comparatively speaking, how many lathes are there compared to table
saws? I dare say there are rather more table saws in domestic premises
than there are lathes.

YMMV. However lathes do have the capacity to throw tools around the
workshop, whereas table saws tend to take finger-sized chunks off of
hands.

[Andy Dingley]

On Mon, 09 Jun 2003 06:11:39 +0100, Andrew McKay
<E-7B777...@kazmax.co.uk> wrote:

>Comparatively speaking, how many lathes are there compared to table
>saws?

I was using figures adjusted for this (from the HSE, found somewhere
off TTJ)

>I dare say there are rather more table saws in domestic premises
>than there are lathes.

I'm not so sure. There's a _lot_ of lathes around.

>YMMV. However lathes do have the capacity to throw tools around the
>workshop, whereas table saws tend to take finger-sized chunks off of
>hands.

There are 4 generalised safety rules for a lathe:

1. Whirly thing in the middle. You are static. Don't let the two
meet. This goes particularly for long hair, loose clothing, apron
strings etc.

2. The whirly thing is travelling fast, which means spare energy.
There will be a blizzard of chips streaming into your face, so wear a
face shield.

3. The whirly thing causes trouble if it comes to pieces. Be careful
when turning large bowls from spalted lumps. Make sure it can't come
off whatever is holding it in place either. This is especially true
if you're turning huge root-burl bowls on an outboard motor.

4. When you stick a static thing into the whirly thing, then trouble
ensues. You can't avoid this, if you intend to do any turning, so be
aware of it. The chisel _will_ catch in the timber and jerk around -
make sure you're always holding it such that you have good leverage
between your grip and the toolpost.

[Alf]

"RzB" <Ple...@Reply.To.Newsgroup> wrote in message news:<UDCdnSJQs7n...@tcp.co.uk>...

Roy,

I'd hang on to it if you have the room. These are lovely bits of kit,
and the staple woodworking machine for the home user for years.
Despite what Andrew thinks, you can learn to turn from a book without
any trouble (Keith Rowley's "Woodturning; a foundation course" is the
best) 'cos I did. So far, and without bringing the wrath of the gods
on my head, I've yet to have a tool fly out of my hands. The worse
injury so far has been a rather warm finger when sanding a thin
spindle.

If you really want to get rid of it, or even just the attachments, get
in touch with Derek Pyatt at Pyatt Woodworking. They specialise in
Coronet machines and I expect he'd love to take it off your hands.
http://www.coronetwoodworking.co.uk/Home.html

Cheers, Alf

Shamless self-promotion: http://www.geocities.com/jester27uk/

[Andrew McKay]

On Mon, 09 Jun 2003 11:00:53 +0100, Andy Dingley
<din...@codesmiths.com> wrote:

>I was using figures adjusted for this (from the HSE, found somewhere
>off TTJ)

Okay :)

>I'm not so sure. There's a _lot_ of lathes around.

Interestingly, I haven't got one. And yet I've got rather a lot of
power tools not found in the average handymans possession. Just never
found a use for a lathe.

>There are 4 generalised safety rules for a lathe:

I agree with all those things you mention. I'd probably add one more
to the list:

* The rotating thing should be kept well away from someone who isn't
skilled in offering tools up to the workpiece, or who hasn't been
given basic education in offering tools up to the workpiece.

Like all power tools, they can be real useful. But they can be real
dangerous too - and with a lathe there's always the potential for
mounting the work incorrectly - unlike many other tools where you
offer the workpiece up to the cutting tool, with a lathe it's the
cutting tool offered up to the workpiece.

[Andrew McKay]

On 9 Jun 2003 05:18:14 -0700, jeste...@yahoo.co.uk (Alf) wrote:

>Despite what Andrew thinks, you can learn to turn from a book without

Okay, okay, I stand defeated :)

[Andy Dingley]

On Mon, 09 Jun 2003 14:54:02 +0100, Andrew McKay
<E-7B777...@kazmax.co.uk> wrote:

>Interestingly, I haven't got one. And yet I've got rather a lot of
>power tools not found in the average handymans possession. Just never
>found a use for a lathe.

I don't have one either. Or a television, for much the same reason.

One minute you're just using it for some important purpose, like
watching the Coronation, then before you know it you're sneaking out
to the shed to use it, just for the creeping pleasure of vacuous
time-wasting with it. One give you a dozen turned loo-roll holders
and a mathom rack, the other gives you the cast of Big Brother.

When I need a lathe (or a spindle moulder, or a bandsaw mill) I go and
borrow one.

[RzB]

All... Many thanks for the responses. I agree witll all....
Even thought there are some very conflicting viewpoints!!!

I got to the point this weekend of reassembling the mechanics
and renewing the electrics, having had the machine sitting in
the garage (now known as the workshop!) for a couple of months.
When I switched it on it just purred away. I was expecting it to
be much noisier. It was very tempting to bung a lump of wood in
the chuck and go for it. However, what I know about turning can
be written on the head of a pin. I am very, very concious of the
safety aspects of all machine (and come to that hand) tools.
It won't get used untill I have had some basic instruction from
someone qualified. Andrew - don't feel defeated - Your comments
on safety were much appreciated, as were the counter agruments
from Andy (there are too many Andrews on the newsgroup-
Dingly, Hall, McKay.....!). Somethime I wonder if I am too cautious.....

Many thanks to Alf for the pointer to
http://www.coronetwoodworking.co.uk/Home.html.
Why oh why had this site not come up on the many occasions that
I have done searches!
BTW. Love to site - http://www.geocities.com/jester27uk/

I really do think this is an excellent newsgroup - in one day this post
has elicited a very lively discussion that has been very helpful to me.
I posted the exact same query (mentioning that I had posted to uk.d-i-y)
to rec.crafts.woodturing and got exactly one response saying
congratulations.
A woodturning newsgroup - now wouldn't you think.......

Interestingly I ordered a couple of chisels from Ashley Isles (recommended
in an earlier post) and I got talking to the chap taking the order about
Coronet
lathes. Evidently when they demonstrate at shows they still use a Coronet!

Many thanks to all ...
Roy

[Alan Howard]

In article <UDCdnSJQs7n...@tcp.co.uk>,
"RzB" <Ple...@Reply.To.Newsgroup> wrote:

I agree with angdrew dingley. I learnt turning on a "Major" - no more
dangerous than an electric drill!

AND...

Turning is fun and Creative

Dont need a large workshop

Make small items in less than an hour - sooner when experienced.

Lots of scrap wood advertised and available.

Wooden bowls etc make good Christmas/birthday/wedding presents etc.

Plenty of courses around.

Enjoy your Major.....

a.h.

[RzB]

> I posted the exact same query (mentioning that I had posted to uk.d-i-y)
> to rec.crafts.woodturing and got exactly one response saying
> congratulations.
> A woodturning newsgroup - now wouldn't you think.......
>

In fairness I did get some further post that
were very helpful - just took longer :-)

Roy

[samandt...@gmail.com]

I have been a wood-turner for sixty years, and in my opinion the Coronet Major is far and away the best lathe of its kind, coupled with a very robust saw bench. And I have owned several of each (lathes and bench saws). My current Major with an extended bed will turn anything from a large (5ft plus) newel post to a lace bobbin - and does. Whatever you do, keep the lathe and the saw, but as you are a novice, get shot of the rest of the gear (or store it - you won't get real money for any of it) and concentrate on learning wood turning. Don't go on potty courses - just buy some hardwood and a roughing out gouge and see how you get on. I have about 30 turning chisels, gouges etc but rarely use more than three on a job. In recent years there has been a growing demand for arty-crafty turned stuff, and you may get lucky turning such junk from dodgy bits of timber. I know a guy who charges outrageous prices to craft shops for stuff I wouldn't give houseroom to. But properly learned, wood turning is a lovely thing to be doing. Around now I make toys for my huge family, almost all made on the Coronet. Tops, wheeled vehicles etc. One final point - the Coronet has a lovely tapered phosphor-bronze bearing in the headstock mandrel. Check this for wear - it is really easy to adjust - and you will be rewarded by really smooth and quiet running. Another final point - don't try turning bowls unless your Coronet has a slow turning speed, usually found on a five-speed box. Always learn the basic skills using small pieces of timber, otherwise there is a risk of injury from things flying out from the lathe. As a general rule, though, woodturning is an extremely safe pastime, especially if you work between centres. If you want any further advice, or a chat, ring me on 01691 654136 and I will bore the pants off you. Sam

[Bob Minchin]

I expect the op has resolved his dilemma in the intervening 13 years
since raising the issue or even died?

[Bill]

In message <o1jlv5$og9$1...@dont-email.me>, Bob Minchin
<bob.minc...@YOURHATntlworld.com> writes

>I expect the op has resolved his dilemma in the intervening 13 years
>since raising the issue or even died?

But it was a nice, worthwhile post. If the OP is like me, he might still
have the lathe and still be hoping he'll reach a round tuit.
--
Bill

[John Rumm]

Indeed, it prompted me to go find out what one looked like. Turns out
they are quite interesting machines:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/coronet/

I quite admire the design effort that managed to make such a versatile
machine and range of attachments, but part of me keeps thinking, I am
not quite sure I would have started with a lathe as the foundation of
the system.

--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Andy Burns]

John Rumm wrote:

> it prompted me to go find out what one looked like. Turns out
> they are quite interesting machines:
>
> http://www.lathes.co.uk/coronet/

There was one on ebay for a ton the other day (if you've got a
van/estate and fancy a drive darn sarf somewhere)

[samandt...@gmail.com]

On Sunday, 8 June 2003 21:20:05 UTC+1, RzB wrote:

Roy: As a wood turner of some 60 years experience I believe you have acquired the best all round lathe there is. I have had two Majors in my turning career, selling the first because we were short of space and regretting it ever since. So I bought another. If you are going to do turning you will need the saw table for converting stock into the dimensions you want. Unless you have the five-speed box don't bother with faceplate work. Stick to between centres turning or small items on a woodscrew chuck. Above all don't watch the dire videos on YouTube. I think they are wank videos for people with very strange wood fetishes. There is no such thing as a good lathe for a beginner - the better the lathe the better it is for any turner, expert or novice, and the Major is beautifully heavy and stable so ticks all my boxes making everything from newel posts to lace-making bobbins! I am about to draw the lovely phosphor-bronze bearing up slightly - I suspect the first time this has been done in its sixty years of use. Good luck with yours - find a local turner and ask if he will spare you an hour or two. We are mostly nice guys who like to pass on our skills. I know I do!

[Brian Gaff]

2003 eh, almost modern as postings go...
Brian

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