HF 10 speed lathe

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  • 3thumbs
    Established Member
    • Oct 2008
    • 162
    • Northern Colorado
    • Delta 10" contractor saw/cast wings
    #1

    HF 10 speed lathe

    Anybody have any experience with this lathe? It is on sale right now and I can get it for just over $200. I want something like this so I can move it out of the way each night when I put my car back in the garage. I have outgrown my little pen making lathe and I want to try larger projects, but I would like your expert thoughts on this lathe before I buy.
    DM
    Tags: None
    • JSUPreston
      Veteran Member
      • Dec 2005
      • 1189
      • Montgomery, AL.
      • Delta 36-979 w/Biesemyere fence kit making it a 36-982. Previous saw was BT3100-1.
      #2
      If you are talking about 34706, there are a lot of folks on here and elsewhere on the web that love the thing. I don't have one right now, but really want to get it. Just a matter of not enough room in the shop (or budget) right now.

      Gotta do a little purging in the shop anyway. I'm about to redo my portable tool storage so that it's more efficient. Then, I'll have room for a lathe when I get the scratch.
      "It's a dog eat dog world out there, and I'm wearing Milk-Bone underwear."- Norm (from Cheers)

      Eat beef-because the west wasn't won on salad.

        Comment

        • cabinetman
          Gone but not Forgotten RIP
          • Jun 2006
          • 15216
          • So. Florida
          • Delta
          #3
          The last time I was in HF I saw that lathe, and it appeared to have a cast iron frame instead of sheet metal. I didn't get to check it out.

          .

            Comment

            • 3thumbs
              Established Member
              • Oct 2008
              • 162
              • Northern Colorado
              • Delta 10" contractor saw/cast wings
              #4
              Yes, the 34706. I have been watching CL for a long time, but there has never been something that suits my needs or my wallet.

                Comment

                • dbhost
                  Slow and steady
                  • Apr 2008
                  • 9480
                  • League City, Texas
                  • Ryobi BT3100
                  #5
                  I have one. It's a good lathe with the same exact quirks the Jet it copies has (have to fidget with the swiveling head to line it up, reeves drives slip etc...). Once you learn to use it, it is a great turning lathe. Not a huge power house Mustard Monster by any means, but a great machine for 3x it's price...

                  My biggest problem with it is that I don't use it enough.
                  Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.

                    Comment

                    • phrog
                      Veteran Member
                      • Jul 2005
                      • 1796
                      • Chattanooga, TN, USA.
                      #6
                      I have the HF 34706 and I love it. I did have trouble with the first one that I bought in that the motor was quickly overheating. I had bought the optional 1 year extended warranty and had NO trouble trading the defective one for a new one. (I bought an additional 2-year extended warranty for it since I had trouble with the first one.) I have had NO problems with the second one and I understand that this was unusual.

                      This is the similar Jet lathe as seen on Amazon. It is not exactly the same but is close.
                      http://www.amazon.com/708352-JWL-123.../dp/B00006ANS3
                      You might read the reviews to get an idea of what folks think about the Jet.

                      Here is the instruction manual for that Jet lathe as sold on Rockler.
                      http://www.rockler.com/tech/708352_man.pdf
                      Be sure to look at the exploded diagram near the end and compare it to the HF clone.


                      Here is the manual for the HF clone.
                      http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...4999/34706.pdf
                      The exploded diagram is also near the end of the manual.

                      Note the switches are in different places on the two lathes and that the Jet has an indexing pin that the HF doesn't. Other than that and the paint color, they look almost identical. I'm sure there is greater quality control on the Jet but there is also a much greater price.
                      Last edited by phrog; 02-28-2013, 02:05 PM.
                      Richard

                        Comment

                        • dbhost
                          Slow and steady
                          • Apr 2008
                          • 9480
                          • League City, Texas
                          • Ryobi BT3100
                          #7
                          One thing I would suggest with this lathe, or actually any lathe with at least a 12" swing, is buy an extra faceplate. Eventually you are going to get the itch to make a disc sander attachment for it. The faceplate will make that easier on you...
                          Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.

                            Comment

                            • greenacres2
                              Senior Member
                              • Dec 2011
                              • 633
                              • La Porte, IN
                              • Ryobi BT3000
                              #8
                              Originally posted by phrog
                              I have the HF 34706 and I love it. I did have trouble with the first one that I bought in that the motor was quickly overheating. I had bought the optional 1 year extended warranty and had NO trouble trading the defective one for a new one. (I bought an additional 2-year extended warranty for it since I had trouble with the first one.) I have had NO problems with the second one and I understand that this was unusual.
                              Maybe that store keeps the bad one on hand to help sell the 2 year warranty instead of the 1 year...those that only sign up for 1 year get the HMU (Hot Motor Unit), come back for the cheerful hassle-free exchange, and sign up for another year!!

                              Maybe not...
                              earl

                                Comment

                                • phrog
                                  Veteran Member
                                  • Jul 2005
                                  • 1796
                                  • Chattanooga, TN, USA.
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by greenacres2
                                  Maybe that store keeps the bad one on hand to help sell the 2 year warranty instead of the 1 year...those that only sign up for 1 year get the HMU (Hot Motor Unit), come back for the cheerful hassle-free exchange, and sign up for another year!!

                                  Maybe not...
                                  earl
                                  So cynical.
                                  Richard

                                    Comment

                                    • bfrikken
                                      Senior Member
                                      • Apr 2005
                                      • 727
                                      • Michigan, USA.
                                      • BT-3100
                                      #10
                                      Also, I've read that napa replacement belt 3L240W is a good purchase to replace the stock belt. and cheap. I think its 9 bucks at my local napa.

                                        Comment

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