Buying First Lathe...Are Old British Machines the way to go?

[Jacob]

I'm sure you are right but the great explosion in fashionable new lathes with higher specs and ranges of add-ons has made some perfectly good older lathes very cheap and good value. An Arundel J4 plus loadsa bits and chucks went for £25 on ebay a bit back. It is still possible to do almost everything with an old lathe - you don't get that much added value with the posh new ones.

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Jacob,
Your example of the Arundel J4 makes my first point about chucks and accessories very nicely. Great if they're all included but if you need to buy anything then getting it to fit the M20x2.5 inboard and M24x2.5 LH outboard threads would be a real pain unless you have a metal lathe to rethread them.

It also chimes well with the third point quite nicely too. A 9" swing is pretty limited over the bed.

...but your point about added value of new lathes is also well taken. Fundamentally a lathe is just a motor driven spindle to attach wood to and a toolrest used for making stuff round - and that's hard to argue with.

Jon

 

[Jacob]

Hi Jacob,
Your example of the Arundel J4 makes my first point about chucks and accessories very nicely. Great if they're all included but if you need to buy anything then getting it to fit the M20x2.5 inboard and M24x2.5 LH outboard threads would be a real pain unless you have a metal lathe to rethread them.

It also chimes well with the third point quite nicely too. A 9" swing is pretty limited over the bed.

...but your point about added value of new lathes is also well taken. Fundamentally a lathe is just a motor driven spindle to attach wood to and a toolrest used for making stuff round - and that's hard to argue with.

Jon

Arundel is same thread as Record C3 as far as I recall. There are adaptors if necessary, for every thread in normal use.

 

[chipmunk]

Arundel is same thread as Record C3 as far as I recall. There are adaptors if necessary, for every thread in normal use.

Are you sure? I found the information here...
http://www.lathes.co.uk/arundel/

"Probably the most popular (and affordable) Arundel was the 1960s to 1970s Model J4, made in Junior and Senior sizes and in Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 models. Although very similar in appearance, the Senior was of 6-inch centre height and the Junior 4.5". The Senior had an inboard spindle thread of M30 x 3.5 and an outboard of M20 x 2.5 while the Junior used an outboard of M20 x 2.5 and inboard M24 x 2.5."

M30x3.5 is obtainable but I'd be very surprised if the others are. The old Record lathes were all 3/4" x 16TPI.

On your last point, the crucial word is very much "normal" - IME there are lots of "abnormal" threads out there ;-)

Jon

 

[Jacob]

I'm fairly sure my J4 was 3/4 x 16 same as Record. Smaller on the outboard end. Could be wrong.

 

[graduate_owner]

This has turned out to be an interesting thread with lots of informed opinions being expressed.
There are indeed drawbacks to old lathes, and I mentioned the unusual outboard thread on my viceroy being 1 1/4 x 9 which I haven't seen used anywhere else. I don't have a faceplate so I am going to have to make up an adapter ( and I'm not looking forward to that job). However the issue of build quality really should not be underestimated. If the OP can afford a good quality new lathe then all well and good but if it's a case of a hobby rated far east import then it is a different scenario as the build quality may be questionable. A brand new, shiny lathe with whistles and bells and easily obtained accessories is of little use if the basic construction isn't up to the job and the tool doesn't stay the course.
I know there are more suppliers than Axmnster around, but once again I would like to quote Axmnster's recommended usage for hobby rated machinery - expected maximum annual usage of 100 hours. I would not expect lathes from other suppliers at a similar price to be much different in build quality. So as long as people appreciate what they are getting for their money, I suppose a hobby rated lathe will be fine and the choice is a matter of individual preference, but I have gone for solid, British and reliable (yes, and perhaps old, heavy, basic and not especially well - specified) since I could not justify spending the £1000 plus cost of a good quality new lathe.

Once again - you pays your money and you takes your choice, but don't forget the other saying - buy cheap, buy twice.


K

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

My turning club has about 60 ish members. There isn't a single pro turner amongst them and yet the quality of the work they turn out is absolutely outstanding. It's fair to say that the more experienced tend to have the more expensive bigger Jets or the Nova's, woodfasts et al but the majority buy readily available, mostly modern lathes with easily available accessories. Few have the necessary time or expertise to mess around having specialist parts engineered etc. When the time comes for them to turn, they want to get on with it. So....it is horses for courses but if you want to focus on turning and not mechanical engineering, there's little to compete with the ease of access, transport, flexibility and versatility with accessories of modern lathes.

I guess my point here is not to poo poo the older British classics but rather to balance out this thread with the message to newer turners that even a cheapy Far eastern mini lathe will have you popping out spindle work and small face plate projects that you can be proud of and will give quick, inexpensive access to the craft. There is no shame in taking an entry level view if your goal is to get on and learn turning and avoid the whole cast iron "behemoth" conundrum. If you find after 2 years or so that it's taken hold of you (it will), then you can dispose of your kit on the 2nd hand market and upgrade with much more knowledge.

 

[graduate_owner]

I agree with you Bob, there's nothing wrong with getting started on an inexpensive lathe, just as long as people know what they are getting. I can remember looking for a lathe over 40 years ago and there was practically nothing around on the second hand or diy market. I ended up getting an electric drill attachment (ghastly thing) before getting hold of my trusty old ML8 with a Peter Child 3 in 1 chuck. The availability of lathes today makes it so much easier for those wanting to try turning, and the accessories available is now mind boggling - and very welcome, even if it does mean we can now spend and spend ( after buying the lathe, that is).

K

 

[markslathe]

Coronet all the way.

 

[chipmunk]

Coronet all the way.

I'm not sure that Coronet represents the pinnacle of old British lathes IMHO.
Graduates, the big Wadkins or the VB36 and I'd be with you, but Coronet lathes? Really?

Jon

 

[markslathe]

Coronet all the way.

I'm not sure that Coronet represents the pinnacle of old British lathes IMHO.
Graduates, the big Wadkins or the VB36 and I'd be with you, but Coronet lathes? Really?

Jon

Your probably right,but for a first lathe imo,its a very good grounding.i have no experience with other lathes as this is my first one,so tbh i know very little about them.

 

[graduate_owner]

Back to the issue of new or second hand, since the OP has a budget of £2000 I think the most sensible course of action would be to visit various turners and try things out. With that sort of money there are so many options that first hand experience would be the way to go.

Anyone wanting to try a graduate bowl lathe ( outboard only at the moment) or a Viceroy ( inboard only), or indeed a Myford ML 8 are welcome to visit my tip of a workshop. I am at the end of the M4 and then about 24 miles up country. Bring your own turning tools, and prererably your own wood.

Edit - it is a long way from Lancashire though.

K