First lathe: which spindle thread to choose?

[ThornOfCamorr]

Hi,

I'm completely new to wood turning and looking into buying my first lathe. Was hoping for a good second hand one. I read recommendations here in this forum that you should choose a common type spindle thread, so attachments will work across lathes when updating. Which thread should one look for? M33x3.5mm or 1"x8 TPI or ???

What are decent second-hand lathes? Axminster Perform CCL?

Thx for you replies

 

[Duncan A]

M33 x 3.5mm definitely the way to go. It is the standard nowadays even on small lathes.
Only thing to watch out for is that many newer lathes have a Euroloc collar to prevent the chuck coming off by accident.
These are great but they do make the spindle longer and some of the cheaper chucks won't screw on far enough to sit on the register - important for alignment purposes.
Best to stick with Axminster, Record Power, Novatech, Sorby etc - or simply make a spacer ring, usually 3-4mm thick.
Second hand lathes - join a club and get advice. Electronic variable speed is preferable to anything else.
All depends on your budget of course!
Duncan

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Speak to a firm lock Axminster and ask which is the way forward
My 1992 Axminster has 1inch *8 tpi so that has been around for a few years now
I have noticed that newer chucks can be reversed something mine can not do

 

[Sideways]

M33 x 3.5mm on a new lathe.

If you decide to buy an old classic lathe, many threads were used and chucks and adapters can be got for most of them. In that case you will be choosing the lathe because of it's build or features and the spindle thread will be incidental.

Axminster Perform (yellow) are cheap Chinese generic woodlathes badged for Axminster. As a cheap lathe to learn on, perfectly usable and many were sold. Not something to go out of your way to look for.

 

[Sachakins]

There are now new mini lathes with the newer m33×3.5 which is becoming the normal now, but still a small number of 1" 8tpi etc.

M33 would be preferable if buying new IMHO.

 

[Bob Chapman]

+1 for M33 x 3.5mm

 

[ThornOfCamorr]

Thank you all for your advice

I found a decent deal on an Axminster perform CCL with plenty of accessories. Seemed a good package to get started with.
Any new chucks I’ll get on m33 x 3.5mm though!
Chris

 

[SVB]

The other thing to think about is which brand Chuck to go for. A long while ago I committed to the axmister range as fantastic range of jaws. This means that all the jaws you buy will be compatible with any future Axminster chucks even if I change Chuck body with a change in spindle thread. Once you’ve bought a good number of jaws, this is actually bigger than the cost of the chick body itself!

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Added to above ,s post
My original sk 100 chuck is compatible with latest jaws so when I bought the sk88 I had no problems of interchangeably

 

[graduate_owner]

I would choose M33 ovet 1 x 8. However if you are looking for something really solid in your lathe, you could consider a Union Graduate (I have one). These were the choice of schools and professionals at one time (apart from really industrial makes like Wadkin). The thing about the graduate is the spindle thread is the same on both inboard and outboard, apart from LH/RH. You can get chucks which are dual threaded so as to fit either side. This saves on the cost of a second chuck, or the need for an adapter. Graduates are dated now (no variable speed unless you go down the 3 phase route) but really well made machines. If you can find a M33 dual threaded then that might be the way to go,, but certainly look at the graduate if your budget allows.

K

 

[Sheptonphil]

Thank you all for your advice

I found a decent deal on an Axminster perform CCL with plenty of accessories. Seemed a good package to get started with.
Any new chucks I’ll get on m33 x 3.5mm though!
Chris

This lathe has a 1" x 8 thread as standard I believe. If you get M33 chucs, you will need adaptors as well to fit the headstock similar to this adaptor

https://www.ockenden-timber.co.uk/w...ad-adapter-insert-1-x-8tpi-to-m33-x-35-p-2907

 

[alex robinson]

Thank you all for your advice

I found a decent deal on an Axminster perform CCL with plenty of accessories. Seemed a good package to get started with.
Any new chucks I’ll get on m33 x 3.5mm though!
Chris

Very nice choice of first lathe and surprisingly capable (especially if bolted down!). Depending on how long you intend to keep it, I would get a 1 x 8 tpi chuck rather than m33 x 3.5.

If you only intend to have it for a few months, go ahead and get the m33 x 3.5 and use an adapter as it will be more likely to fit on your next machine. If you intend to keep it for a while, adapters aren't ideal. The further the work piece is from the headstock, the greater the forces you are applying to the bearings. Having 2 stages will also increase the scope for inaccuracies and wobble.

The other option would be to get a chuck with an internal adapter. I have a supernova chuck that has a very big internal screw thread and depending on the spindle size, you put a different internal adapter in. This means you don't have the extra length that can cause irritation.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Or think about a Versachuck - when you upgrade you need only change the backplate.
https://www.beaufortink.co.uk/toolpost-versachuck-wood-lathe-chucks