Bench mounted midi lathe for bowls, pens

[gilesosborne]

I'm looking for a good, solid, reliable, bench-mounted lathe on which I can turn pens, bowls etc...I have no need for long spindle work.
Initial research/ browsing seems primarily to be either the:
1. Record DML305 at £299 for the basic lathe..~380W and 12" over bed...
2. Charnwood W821 at 299 for basic lathe..550W and 12" over bed....
Minuses? - Record claim that lathes with rheostats burn out motors (Charnwood 3 belts + rheostat), Whilst review of Record (5 belts) say belts are very poor quality and massively overpriced at ~£25
Can you knowledgeable and experienced lot give me thee wisdom of their experience and make some sort of recommendation
I realise that I will need to buy much more to get the system going..jawed chucks etc (Charnwood offer 2 package deals..but I've no idea of the quality of their chisels)...
Sorry, I'm not authorised to post links!
many thanks for you input

 

[nev]

Drive Belts can be purchased from many places and at varying qualities and prices. Not anything to worry about.
Cannot comment on the Charnwood - but just going by popularity on this forum - not really recommended.
Go to any craft fair with turning demos on and I'd say 90% of the demonstrators will be using a small Jet lathe so maybe consider something like http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-jml-1014-mini-wood-lathe
You may also wish to consider a small VS (variable speed) Axminster.

 

[gilesosborne]

Thanks for the steer, I' I think the Jet JWL-1220 might be a little more up my street, as being greedy, I'd like the nominal potential of ~12" over bed for bowls...I see it's a 2MT..seems that that's less common these days? Thanks again...all advice received most gratefully...

 

[nev]

Almost all / any accessories you may need (pen mandrel, spur/ steb drives ) are available in either 1MT or 2MT so no worries on that front.
Thread sizes for chucks and faceplates are probably more the thing to keep an eye on, but that said RP, Jet and Axi are all sizes are all readily available.

 

[Spacecadett]

I recently got a Record DML 18SH lathe starter pack which is the same as the DML305 but has shorter bed bars. It comes with a few gouges & so far I am very happy with it. I bought it for bowls, pens & short spindle turning (pepper mills etc).

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/product/wo ... 7iEU4m9LCQ

 

[gilesosborne]

Would the ~250W really be able to handle a 12" hardwood bowl...not sure I'm convinced...admittedly I wouldn't be using lignum vitae!! ...shorter bed is not an issue however, as only bowls and pens, and other smaller length items

 

[gilesosborne]

What I do find odd with Record, is that they quote Power in hp...now I'm a Europhobe to an extent, but it is an EU regulation (I can look up the exact Directive reference if you wish) that electrical power must be primarily stated in Watts within EU, with hp being allowable as a supplementary unit in addition to Watts!!...pain in the arse converting electrical hp (I think it's ~750W) to compare to other machines....Mechanical horsepower is a different watt conversion...don't you love the old Imperial system...32 3/4 grains to the chain, i.e. 6 31/64ths of an erg if you're dealing in beige

 

[gilesosborne]

EU Directive 80/181/EEC on 01/01/2010 !!

 

[nev]

For a little light reading ...

jet-jml-1014-or-axi-ah-1215vs-t75139.html

post875853.html

post797211.html

which-one-to-buy-t77097.html

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I saw someone doing a demo the other day on the Charnwood (that wasn't his). He condemned it in terms too foul for this forum.

 

[NikNak]

Giles....


I've got the Jet 1220VS and cannot fault it. Bowls, pens, box's, spindle work etc....

You're not too far away, so welcome to come and have a 'mooch' if you like....



Nick

 

[Spindle]

Hi

I'm a big fan of Record Power equipment, I have lots of it and never had a fault with any of their products.

With that in mind I'd go for the DML 305, the larger swing over the bed would be a big factor for me. 1MT is plenty large enough for anything you may do on this lathe as it is on my CL4, the DML 305 is also upgradeable to variable speed should you desire in the future.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say the Record has five belts, it doesn't, it has one belt, as do your other options, which is moved between the drive pulleys to adjust spindle speed.
Finally, the Record has a five year guarantee and although I've never had course to use it it's nice to know it's there.

Regards Mick

 

[gilesosborne]

Thanks Nick for the kind offer, but a bit too far away :-( I have bought a Jet 1220 on the advice from you all...I note Axminster have stopped making/ supplying them now! However, luckily Axminster themselves were advertising a used one on ebay, so I bought that Now to work out all the things I need to get up and running...I've just applied to join Cheam Woodturners Club...