First lathe advice

[Zag73]

Hi

I’m looking to buy my first lathe and was wondering if anybody had any experience of the below or which they’d recommend. If the Nebula is worth getting, I’d go with this option and just wait until funds permitted.

https://www.axminstertools.com/axmi...l-floor-standing-woodturning-lathe-asr-720832
https://www.yandles.co.uk/wood-turn...eed-lathe-c-w-cast-iron-stand-230v-m33-x-3-5/
https://www.hopewoodturning.co.uk/product/twister-fu-200/
https://www.machinery4wood.co.uk/Nova-Nebula-DVR-Woodturning-Lathe-and-FREE-Chuck-Package/P45809

Thanks in advance

 

[Stigmorgan]

For that money I'd suggest looking at 2nd hand options as you will very likely get all the kit to go with it, chucks, plates, live/drive centres, gouges and still have a chunk of money left over to buy sharpening equipment, sandpaper, finishes etc

 

[Zag73]

For that money I'd suggest looking at 2nd hand options as you will very likely get all the kit to go with it, chucks, plates, live/drive centres, gouges and still have a chunk of money left over to buy sharpening equipment, sandpaper, finishes etc

Hi. Thanks for the response. I’d rather buy new as like having a guarantee and support from a store if anything goes wrong. Have you any experience of the above models?

 

[alex robinson]

Hi. Thanks for the response. I’d rather buy new as like having a guarantee and support from a store if anything goes wrong. Have you any experience of the above models?

I have an older version of the Nova and love it. Big machines are expensive new, but you get the capacity to make big pieces and the stability for our of balance stuff.

As Stig points out though - there are a lot of other bits you need to get set up for turning. Sharpening is essential and it wouldn't make sense to buy a high end lathe and a cheap bench grinder and tools.

 

[Zag73]

I have an older version of the Nova and love it. Big machines are expensive new, but you get the capacity to make big pieces and the stability for our of balance stuff.

As Stig points out though - there are a lot of other bits you need to get set up for turning. Sharpening is essential and it wouldn't make sense to buy a high end lathe and a cheap bench grinder and tools.

Hi. I’ve already got the Sorby ProEdge. Is this sufficient ? Or would you recommend a bench grinder too? For gouges , any brand you’d recommend?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If you're spending, Crown Cryo. Ashley Isles a close second. Join a club before you buy anything - you might end up with a totally different outlook and you might come across a really good deal - people trade down as well as up.

 

[Stigmorgan]

Hi. Thanks for the response. I’d rather buy new as like having a guarantee and support from a store if anything goes wrong. Have you any experience of the above models?

That's fair enough, I've not used those lathes, only ever had the one I use now.
The pro-edge is perfect, you can buy the jigs to make sharpening easily repeatable.

 

[Bob101]

Hi. I've recently upgraded to the RP Regent from my RP Herald, which was my first machine. It appears that you are happy to spend big bucks for your first lathe but there are other things you might want to consider as well.

I have found that the Regent is less forgiving than the Herald due to the power of the motor, when you are learning the less powerful machine might be more suitable. I think the Herald was the right choice for me when I was starting a couple of years ago but having said that I love the Regent and it is all I will ever need now.

You will inevitably be buying more add-ons - chucks, jaws, centres etc, your first set will never be enough, along with lots of chisels and other tools. You could easily double your lathe expenditure on these other pieces, although not necessarily all at once. If funds are an issue I would look to the slightly cheaper machines than the ones you suggest, and then upgrade later. The RP Herald seems to be much sought after in the used market.

Whichever lathe you go for, ensure that there is a suitable range of chucks, jaws and centres that you will want later.

I also have the ProEdge and find it is all I need for sharpening my chisels. And I have stuck with Sorby chisels mainly but there are always other specialist tools which you will want.

All my RP equipment has been bought at Yandles, never beaten on price and first class service, both in person and online.

 

[alex robinson]

Hi. I’ve already got the Sorby ProEdge. Is this sufficient ? Or would you recommend a bench grinder too? For gouges , any brand you’d recommend?

The ProEdge is great. I have one and it was such an upgrade from a cheap water wheel. Not sharpening freehand makes life so much easier!

I agree with Phil -crown cryo is very nice, but
Any of the big name tools are fine - sorby, Ashley isles etc.

Personally I would go for the lathe I thought I would want to be using in 5 years time. Upgrading is expensive if you are buying new. I haven't ever seen any reason why a more powerful machine should be harder to learn on than a small one, providing you don't do something stupid like deciding your first bowl should be 50cm, natural edges and started at 1500 rpm! Add ons however can come in little installments. You have sharpening sorted, which is the big cost that surprises a lot of people.

I am sure joining a club is a good idea, but I have never bothered and just worked things out as I went along. Books + YouTube will cover many things.

 

[alex robinson]

I think my Nova is meant to have some sort of electronic catch protection (many of the direct drive models do). Cannot say I have noticed it doing anything and I have had a few "interesting" moments when I got too ambitious roughing things out.

 

[Zag73]

The ProEdge is great. I have one and it was such an upgrade from a cheap water wheel. Not sharpening freehand makes life so much easier!

I agree with Phil -crown cryo is very nice, but
Any of the big name tools are fine - sorby, Ashley isles etc.

Personally I would go for the lathe I thought I would want to be using in 5 years time. Upgrading is expensive if you are buying new. I haven't ever seen any reason why a more powerful machine should be harder to learn on than a small one, providing you don't do something stupid like deciding your first bowl should be 50cm, natural edges and started at 1500 rpm! Add ons however can come in little installments. You have sharpening sorted, which is the big cost that surprises a lot of people.

I am sure joining a club is a good idea, but I have never bothered and just worked things out as I went along. Books + YouTube will cover many things.

Rightly or wrongly, this is exactly my mindset , to buy the best I can afford and hopefully something that will exceed what I currently need. Good that I’ve got the right sharpening kit.

 

[Zag73]

Hi. I've recently upgraded to the RP Regent from my RP Herald, which was my first machine. It appears that you are happy to spend big bucks for your first lathe but there are other things you might want to consider as well.

I have found that the Regent is less forgiving than the Herald due to the power of the motor, when you are learning the less powerful machine might be more suitable. I think the Herald was the right choice for me when I was starting a couple of years ago but having said that I love the Regent and it is all I will ever need now.

You will inevitably be buying more add-ons - chucks, jaws, centres etc, your first set will never be enough, along with lots of chisels and other tools. You could easily double your lathe expenditure on these other pieces, although not necessarily all at once. If funds are an issue I would look to the slightly cheaper machines than the ones you suggest, and then upgrade later. The RP Herald seems to be much sought after in the used market.

Whichever lathe you go for, ensure that there is a suitable range of chucks, jaws and centres that you will want later.

I also have the ProEdge and find it is all I need for sharpening my chisels. And I have stuck with Sorby chisels mainly but there are always other specialist tools which you will want.

All my RP equipment has been bought at Yandles, never beaten on price and first class service, both in person and online.

Woodworking is definitely an expensive hobby. Luckily I’ve been saving and making cuts to other less important stuff

 

[alex robinson]

Rightly or wrongly, this is exactly my mindset , to buy the best I can afford and hopefully something that will exceed what I currently need. Good that I’ve got the right sharpening kit.

Compromise on the number of items you buy at a time, not the capabilities of the individual ones!

If you are taking the luxury approach to turning, can I suggest a couple of treats for down the line when funds have recovered?

1) Vacuum chuck. You won't need it for a while, but after you start making bigger bowls, you will wonder how you did without it. Either involves a bit of faff doing a DIY version, or spending quite a lot. In my opinion, far superior to cole jaws for finishing the base of bowls.

2) Powered respirator. Face and lung protection in 1 go, with no steaming up.

 

[Zag73]

Compromise on the number of items you buy at a time, not the capabilities of the individual ones!

If you are taking the luxury approach to turning, can I suggest a couple of treats for down the line when funds have recovered?

1) Vacuum chuck. You won't need it for a while, but after you start making bigger bowls, you will wonder how you did without it. Either involves a bit of faff doing a DIY version, or spending quite a lot. In my opinion, far superior to cole jaws for finishing the base of bowls.

2) Powered respirator. Face and lung protection in 1 go, with no steaming up.

I think I’d put the powered respirator on my list sooner rather than later. Any views on the machines I listed?

 

[alex robinson]

I think I’d put the powered respirator on my list sooner rather than later. Any views on the machines I listed?

Of the lathes? I have never used any of them, though I have an Nova DVR which is the older sibling to the Nebula. All will be superb, I would suggest going and visiting the showroom in person to see what you prefer. At that price point there will also be similar offerings from Laguna and Charnwood.

The biggest difference I am aware of is how the drive functions. The Nova uses a direct drive system, the others a variable speed connected via a belt (hence the 2 speed ranges). The direct drive is supposed to offer improved torque and the option of electronic catch detection. On the other hand, inbuilt computer control like this is expensive to replace when it fails.

Minimum speed is quite important - try and get something that will go as low as possible (100rpm). Weight and stability are also important. See how solid the setup for turning items too large to fit over the bed is. A bed extension is preferable to an outrigger as there will be less flex. These are minor points however and likely only to be of any interest should you decide in several years that giant bowls are your thing!

 

[Zag73]

Of the lathes? I have never used any of them, though I have an Nova DVR which is the older sibling to the Nebula. All will be superb, I would suggest going and visiting the showroom in person to see what you prefer. At that price point there will also be similar offerings from Laguna and Charnwood.

The biggest difference I am aware of is how the drive functions. The Nova uses a direct drive system, the others a variable speed connected via a belt (hence the 2 speed ranges). The direct drive is supposed to offer improved torque and the option of electronic catch detection. On the other hand, inbuilt computer control like this is expensive to replace when it fails.

Minimum speed is quite important - try and get something that will go as low as possible (100rpm). Weight and stability are also important. See how solid the setup for turning items too large to fit over the bed is. A bed extension is preferable to an outrigger as there will be less flex. These are minor points however and likely only to be of any interest should you decide in several years that giant bowls are your thing!

Many thanks for the above. Much appreciated. I had considered the Laguna but the 12 month warranty put me off. I can’t think of any companies that still offer a 12 month warranty.

 

[alex robinson]

Quite fun playing window shopping at that price point! The larger Vicmarc or Oneways are out of range, but some big beasts at the £2 -3k mark. Record Maxi 1 around £2k, or this from Itech at £2700:

https://www.scosarg.com/pro-wood-lathe-powered-sliding-bed-vari-30x40.

794mm diameter with tailstock support - now that is the dream!

Not sure I have ever seen anyone go for this scale for a first lathe - I will be interested to see what you go for...

 

[Tris]

That itech looks fun


Based on some of the older Axminster machines the castings could be a bit 'agricultural', so I'd want to see one in the iron before buying.

 

[Zag73]

Quite fun playing window shopping at that price point! The larger Vicmarc or Oneways are out of range, but some big beasts at the £2 -3k mark. Record Maxi 1 around £2k, or this from Itech at £2700:

https://www.scosarg.com/pro-wood-lathe-powered-sliding-bed-vari-30x40.

794mm diameter with tailstock support - now that is the dream!

Not sure I have ever seen anyone go for this scale for a first lathe - I will be interested to see what you go for...

Not loaded by any stretch of the imagination Just saving over time and the spectre of even higher inflation eating away into it , so might as well spend it whilst it’s worth something

 

[Zag73]

That itech looks fun


Based on some of the older Axminster machines the castings could be a bit 'agricultural', so I'd want to see one in the iron before buying.

Castings on the lathe? I’ve a bandsaw and thickness planer from them and the finish is very good. Great tools too. Very happy with them.