Potential Lathe Purchase

[bigsteel15]

I was in a local tool store today and saw one of these

http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=4190

It comes with a 6" and 3" plates, 4 tools, 3 or 4 tail pieces, stand and 1/3HP motor
It is 4 speed and looks to me to be in mint condition.
These guys don't refurbish. They apparently took it in on trade for a bigger General unit.

They are asking $600 CDN for it.
What do you turning experts think?

My purposes would be spindles, bowls, trinkets and maybe pens (to see what all the fuss is about).

[Ken Massingale]

What's $600 CDN in US$$$?
I love old iron but it seems high.
k

[bigsteel15]

Right now that equates to about $525
Thought it seemed high to me also.
Am I better to pay the $337 US incl shipping for the PSI VS unit and spend the difference on tools/accessories?

[Ken Massingale]

Well Brian, you can get the PSI or Jet vs with the bed extension and have about the same bed length and diameter capacity, and still have $$ for tools etc.

[bigsteel15]

I think I'll offer them $400-450 for the Rockwell.
They likely won't take it but I'll state my case about the cost of a new unit equal to it.

[Doug Jones]

Is that a mini lathe? If so they are way too high. Get a new Jet for around $200 if you shop around. Add the bed extension and make your own stand, and you'll still be well under what they are asking for an old unit.

[bigsteel15]

Is that a mini lathe? If so they are way too high. Get a new Jet for around $200 if you shop around. Add the bed extension and make your own stand, and you'll still be well under what they are asking for an old unit.

I think it is a little bigger than a mini. It's 11" x 36" Gap Bed (14" capacity for shallow bowls at the head)

BTW, Jet doesn't sell their lathes in Canada anymore.
I'm comparing to the PSI VS Pro, as I think the capacity is similar.

[Doug Jones]

I think it is a little bigger than a mini. It's 11" x 36" Gap Bed (14" capacity for shallow bowls at the head)

BTW, Jet doesn't sell their lathes in Canada anymore.
I'm comparing to the PSI VS Pro, as I think the capacity is similar.

The pic looked like a mini at first glance. Wasn't aware about Jet not selling in Canada.
My opinion is go big and buy once. You can turn small things on a big lathe, but you can't turn big things on a small lathe.

[jl]

I would be concerned about the size of the motor: 1/3 hp seems low for a 14" swing. My Maxilathe from General with a swing of 10" has a 1/2 hp motor. I find it sometimes limit when starting a large bowl and the blank is not perfectly round and balanced.

[Rayclav]

I used one of those lathes for some time. It's very lightweight and not a good piece of equipment in my opinion. The asking price is way too high, I would suggest a maximum of $150 Canadian if your serious about it. A new modern lathe is a far better buy, even one of the mini lathes.

R