first lathe

[Rknott2007]

Hi I'm interested in getting a small lathe, I will only be using it for small handles etc, was wondering if anyone has used the axminster drill lathe, or is this a complete 'no no'.

I have donr some turning, but not a great deal.

I would appreciate any input.

Cheers Rob

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Rob
If you want to take a look at an Axmin 330 I'm in Peterborough... pm or via my website.

If you only want it for a short time the drill job will work but it makes hard work compared to a 'proper' lathe :wink: If you get hooked on turning you'll want to upgrade at some point....

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi I'm interested in getting a small lathe, I will only be using it for small handles...

Oh dear... that's the phrase that many of us members of Turners Annonamous said in the early days :lol:

Be warned, it's a slippery slope you're entering onto my friend :wink: because of this I would tell you to discount the drill lathe straight away and go for at least the Perform CCSL which, for the money, can't be beaten as a starter lathe!!

Good luck :lol:

Richard

 

[Bodrighy]

I mwas given a 'drill lathe' and was totally frustrated within a matter of weeks. Go and have a look at Grahams. Though it is small you can do a heck of a lot with it and it will certaily suit your present needs

Pete

 

[Steve Blackdog]

I am also new to turning. If it helps, I bought the Perform CCSL - £121 including delivery from Axminster. I'm very impressed for the money.

If you can afford to take the hit in one go they also do a pretty good beginners set of chisels. I've just placed an order for a bench grinder that I should have added to my first order to get free postage. The chisels and grinder will set you back another £80 or so.

The only real drawback I foresee with the CCSL is that you can only turn around 9-10" diameter, which will be fine for door handles etc, but may one day (in the distant future) become limiting.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Bodrighy]

The only real drawback I foresee with the CCSL is that you can only turn around 9-10" diameter, which will be fine for door handles etc, but may one day (in the distant future) become limiting.

Some door handles you are turning there Steve :lol:

Seriously, ten inches dia is a fair chunk of wood to turn and makes a pretty good sized bowl / platter etc. Your main limitation is that at that size the lowest speed on the lathe is sometimes faster than you'd like unless it is well bolted down

Pete

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Some door handles you are turning there Steve :lol:

You should see the size of my doors :lol:

 

[JackL]

I'm with Bodrighy here. If memory serves me well (and all too often it doesn't!), the Perform minimum speed is circa 500 r.p.m. Now this is the motor spindle speed, I can state categorically from experience that when you *** a lump of unbalanced wood some 10 inches diameter to it, the peripheral speed is awesome.
There's a formula somewhere that can calculate what the peripheral speed will be. I can't find the formula at the moment, but I know it's terrible fast
Believe us, a 10 inch lump of timber spinning at God knows what speed is ne'er a place for the faint hearted!! :roll:

 

[Bodrighy]

The slowest speed on the CCSL is 760rpm. Fine for small stuff but anything over about six inches is travelling pretty fast. The general rule seems to be the smaller the machine the faster the slowest speed.

Pete