Hello and help please

[Bodgit & Sons]

First the hello part...

Well after lurking for over a year I have finally decided to take the plunge and sign up. My name is Dave and i am a primary school teacher who is constantly amazed at the quality of work displayed on here. I am quite lucky as my wife bought me my first lathe last christmas and actively encouraged me to use it (so that i could make things for her of course). However we had our first child two months later and it hasn't been touched since. I am sure i will find some time in the near future to take it up again [-o< .

Now for the help part..

My old man used to work on a metal lathe before he retired and he would love to own a woodturning lathe to occupy his retirement. We have decided to buy him one for christmas and that is where the problem lies. I have so little experience that i don't know what to look for. I do know that we have about £300 to spend on the lathe and i have found several lathes around that price mark. They are

Record DML36SH-CAM Swivel Head Lathe With Cam Locks
http://www.recordpower-thetoolshop.com/ ... LOCKS.html

Axminster AWVSL1000 Woodturning Lathe
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axmi ... 807069.htm

F46-719 Fox 14" Professional Woodturning Lathe
http://www.foxmachinery.co.uk/acatalog/ ... Lathe.html

Sip 01360 variable speed swivel head wood lathe
http://www.sipuk.co.uk/tools/info_SIP01360.html

I would like your opinions/experiences with any of these lathes. Are their any we should definitely stay away from? Which is the best etc. The lathe would be used for a variety purposes and probably on a daily basis.

Sorry for such a long first post but i would really appreciate your help.

Thanks Dave

 

[DaveL]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the forum.

Your links have been caught by our spam trap, this will stop once you have a few more posts to you name.

Record DML36SH-CAM Swivel Head Lathe With Cam Locks
http://www.recordpower-thetoolshop.com/ ... LOCKS.html

Axminster AWVSL1000 Woodturning Lathe
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axmi ... 807069.htm

F46-719 Fox 14" Professional Woodturning Lathe
http://www.foxmachinery.co.uk/acatalog/ ... Lathe.html

Sip 01360 variable speed swivel head wood lathe
http://www.sipuk.co.uk/tools/info_SIP01360.html

I would like your opinions/experiences with any of these lathes. Are their any we should definitely stay away from? Which is the best etc. The lathe would be used for a variety purposes and probably on a daily basis.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Dave and welcome
Here is a recent post with the same question so there might be some help in it.

 

[cornucopia]

hello and welcome

 

[Lightweeder]

Hello Dave. Hope you manage to find help in Paul's link.

LW

 

[Ad de Crom]

Hello Dave, welcome.
At the woodturning club in Goes they have a record power lathe, very nice lathe for your turnings.
Ad

 

[Russell]

Hi Dave, there are 3 turning clubs in the local area if your interested, the one in Birstall has 8 lathes and runs hands on informal training sessions. You can also give me a call in at my shop for some impartial advice on lathes and talk about the pro's and cons of different models etc. I do sell lathes but I am happy and quite often talk people out of some machinery often because I know that their proposed upgrade is not big enough. Most wood turners are impatient and want bigger and better before they can afford what they really need or want in the future. Its far better to wait and upgrade once IMO. So lots of questions to ask

What do you want to make?
What lathe accessories would you need to relace/ fittings on chucks and tapers etc?
How much space you have
Whats your budget
How experience are you, turning for a year once a week is more experience than a 3 year turner turning once a month etc.

 

[hog&amp;bodge]

Hi Dave welcome to the forum as a non lurker...lol
It is amazing what you need to get going.
A good chuck and set of chisels is a must..
You will find some good advice on here about finding the right
lathe to suit you if you know what you want to turn...
Good luck fining one
alex

 

[Jonzjob]

I have a Record CL1 and it looks fairly similar to the DML36. It has served me very well and I consider it very good value for the money.

I have also had a look at the Sip machine and that looks very interesting! Shame I'm not in the market for a new lathe. I don't think I would have the cheek to try after just buying a DSLR camera!

 

[Gordon T]

Hello and welcome Dave,

I was going to suggest visiting ASK at Birstall, but Russell beat me to it, but still a visit there will help you on that slippery slope

GT