Still kicking around ideas

[Russianwolf]

and looking for a decent beginners lathe to turn chessmen and pens and such on. I see the Wilton on Amazon for $105, the Turncrafter for $150 and pro for $200. Then I was looking for an older lathe on ebay and find this one for $78. Yeah it only has a MT1 like the turncraft plus and wilton, but it $80. so do you think it would be a decent beginner?


http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-5-Speed-12-x...QQcmdZViewItem

[bmyers]

That lathe you listed is a tube type. I think you'll want to stay away from those types for 2 reasons. The tube types are a pain to get/keep lined up and the MT1 taper means anything you buy for it thats MT1 wont work in your midi which usually has MT2 tapers.

For the extra cash, you'll enjoy alot less hassle free use and accessories you can take with you to a big lathe once you get sucked in like every other person I know.

As a matter of fact, try to find a pen mandrel thats MT1. Much harder to find. If you do find one, you wont be able to use it in your next lathe thats MT2.

[Russianwolf]

budget is a factor here, I can scrape the 100 clams together, not sure I can get the second hundred anytime soon.

I am keeping my eye on the local craigslist and obviously ebay, but I just can't find anything that's in my price range.

I've seen the one that HF has for $135 (with the disc sander) but I'm not sure that's much of an improvement.

I'll admit, that I want to jump on this, but I just can't spend alot right now. Plus I have to buy chisels to go with it.

[bmyers]

Patience my friend. Good things come to those who wait. Tell you what, buy that crappy tube lathe and I'll guarantee that a better deal will come up on craigslist with tools and all the next day... []

Seriously though I had one of those and I quickly learned several things, 2 things were:

1) They are not that good a lathe
2) That I wanted a better lathe.

Get something that has a flat steel bed. It just makes life easier. The tube types are tuff to keep the centers pointing at each other. I ended up first getting the HF 7406 lathe for $180 after I sold the tuber. Ouch, yeah I hear you but a world a difference from the tube lathe. I also got one of those Jet midi from Woodcraft when they have the combo deal. I enjoy both lathes equally and wouldn't part with either one.

Chisels, get the semi-cheap but not bottom of the line HF set. They are not that great but not bad for the price. Your first chisels are a little sacrificial anyways until you learn how to grind with the right equipment (slow grinder and jigs/etc) They should set you back about $40 or so.

But hey, maybe you’ll get a used package deal on craigslist. That would be best..

Also, get in touch with any local turners clubs. They might not only be able to save you 10% at Woodcraft or some other local sponsor store, but they will have knowledge of used lathes for sale by members.

Bill

[Russianwolf]

Okay, what about this one? Looks like it will need a little work (cleaning and finding the one missing part) but it looks to be in good shape for it's age.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true

[Russianwolf]

opinions on the Rockwell?

[Doug Jones]

As a past owner of the Wilton mini, that would be an excellent choice. If you can locate a Menard's store anywhere near by, they sell them for $79 on sale (reg. $99). This lathe is the one piece of equipment I regret getting rid of. Small enough for pens, bottle stoppers, chess pieces, dowels, etc. Has variable speed and easy to move around should need be.

[jking]

Wilton owner

I do own the Wilton lathe, although I haven't progressed to the point where I can consider myself qualified to give much advise. One point, though...Yes, it does have a MT1 which isn't as common as MT2. MT1 accessories are certainly not hard to find. PSI, Craft Supplies, BereaHardwoods all carry MT1 accessories. MT1 pen mandrels are actually fairly common from what I've found.

[RayintheUK]

opinions on the Rockwell?

Since no-one else has chimed in on this question, I will - PASS on it! There is no way that the amount of time and effort you would need to put in on that lathe would repay itself, even assuming that the bearings are OK - which I'd doubt from the fact that the tool rest has been welded twice (breaking those means mistreating the machine in some form or another).

BTW, I totally agree on staying away from single tube lathes also - they are such total cr*p, compared to a twin tube or cast bed machine, that it's enough to put you off turning altogether. Please be patient and hold on for the right machine!

Ray.

[Russianwolf]

Thanks for the input Ray,

Guess it's back to designing my homemade lathe until a better one comes along. If I actually build this thing, it's going to work.

[ExYankee]

Check these "project lathes" out on Ebay, not too far from you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMALL-DUNLAP-WOO...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-12-Inch-Wo...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOOK-small-metal...QQcmdZViewItem

[Russianwolf]

well, a guy has listed an old Shopsmith on craiglsit for free. I've got an email in and if he's still got it and is serious, I'll go get it this weekend.

I'm not sure which version it is. He says he's had it for 25-30 years but he also says it's a 1949 model which would be the old 10E model. I don't care as long as it works which he says it does.

crossing my fingers.
And THHHHPPPPHHH she was gone.