Need advice real quick on possible lathe purchase

[germdoc]

OK, I am sitting around minding my own business, trying to learn how to hollow goblets on my old second-hand lathe. I came across a guy not too far away who is selling his grandfather's lathe--it is a Woodfast MC908, made in Australia. This would include about 40 turning tools (16 of them Sorbys), a number of accessory chucks, and stand. This is a 3/4-hp lathe, heavy-duty cast iron, etc. He said he would take $1100 for it.

Is this a good deal or not? I think, based on what I've found on the Internet, the price is excellent. I may want to sell off some of the chisels and chucks, as well as my old lathe, to help with this purchase.

On the other hand LOML would probably kill me. Or divorce me.

In any event, even if I don't go for it I want to know how good the deal is. Thanks for the advice.

[RayintheUK]

Jeff,

There's a guy from West Bend selling one here - I don't know if it's the same guy, but it may well be. The pics show a cast bed four-speed lathe with a long belt drive. I think it's probably a little expensive for what it is, although the lathe and tools, etc. look to be in good condition.

I found some specs of the current model elsewhere:

Distance between centres - 1000mm; swing over bed - 420mm diameter; rear turning capacity - 610mm diameter; headstock and tailstock tapers - No. 2 morse taper; tailstock spindle travel - 100mm; spindle speeds - 370, 650, 1200, 2000 and 2700rpm; spindle thread - 30mm x 3.5mm pitch; indexing-equal spaces - 24, 12, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2; packed dimensions - 147cm x 139cm x 42cm; packed weight - 165kg;

The headstock looks to be fixed, although you can turn outboard on it. It's a bit like buying a used car - if you like it, you'll buy it!

HTH

Ray.

[DaveinFloweryBranchGA]

Jeff,

The only question I'd have is wether or not the spindle threads are of a cut that you can get commonly available accessories for it here in the US. Seems a reasonable deal if you can get all the tools as well.

[maxparot]

You could buy a lot of tools to use with the lathe you have for $1100. I would consider just how much better the lathe is than what you already have to work with. Maybe even consider making him an offer for the tools without the lathe.

[germdoc]

I told the seller I would have to pass on it. Can't afford it now, anyway I'm a newbie turner and this would be a little extravagant of me until I learn more. (Not that that ever stopped me before.)

If anyone is interested in this lathe, it's listed on the Woodturning website--for sale near Milwaukee. I think it's a nice lathe and tools for the money.

See http://www.woodturner.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=1148