Help needed from experts with patience

[Bodrighy]

Hi guys,
I am about as new as they come to this having done some turning at school in the 60'sa (ouch I hate admittimg that) I was recently given a little black & Decker attachment and thought I would have a go again. Unfortunately it was infectious and I am now being driven mad by it's limitations. My budget is low (really low, max £150) and whilst I would love to be able to go for 36" bowls and baseball bat sized spindle work I am trying to be realistic. Reading through the last couple of months here I get the idea that there are a couple of lathes out there that would be ideal. I am working in an attic so space is a premium as well.
So far on my Black and Decker on top of a workmate I have achieved only a new handle for the frying pan, a couple of handles for some tools, a ring holder and a small candle holder. The ring holder was quite nice......
Any help / advice gratefully received.

P.S. I have access to Eucalyptus. I've got a 4'x5" fairly straight branch at the moment but could get more. Is it any good?

Bodrighy

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Bodrighy and welcome!
I've copied this from another thread:
I have a SIP mini lathe... neat little job used mainly on demos 'cos of its portability. Only one small criticism, the cam lock on the tool rest isn't as positive as it might be!

Have you looked at the Axminister M330 (I have one of these too!)
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp? ... e=1&jump=0

it's more robust but doesn't have variable speed (I leave mine on max speed so it's no problem)

Or http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp? ... e=1&jump=0

If you haven't already done so, have a browse around the topics for more info...

Eucalyptus can be bland in appearance but I like turning it just for the smell :wink:

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Bodrighy

Welcome to the forum.

Cheers
Neil

 

[PowerTool]

Hello and welcome

Can only half-answer your question - I have patience,but I'm no expert :lol:
Been turning for about eighteen months now; started with a small benchtop lathe,upgraded it to the Perform CCBL about two or three months ago.
I only ended up getting this due to an unexpected bonus at work,otherwise I would have gone for the CCSL that Graham mentioned.
Very happy with mine for the price,so can only agree with those already mentioned.

Andrew

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum Bodrighy, my only observation is that a lathe with easily (no belt changes) variable speed makes for an easier and more enjoyable experience.
I know that there are many who happily work on 'fixed' speed lathes, Oldsoke for one, his stuff is so small he needs high speed only, but I am constantly varying the speed for balance, cut performance and finishing, so much easier.

If you can get across east to Axminster and ask for some demos of the small lathes (phone them and ask when resident turner is available for demo) you may get a feel for what suits you. Not saying it has to be one of their offering, just a good range of patterns.

Remember if you are on a tight budget that a decent chuck and one or two nice to have accessories could cost as much as the lathe again.

If small is going to be your world, as far as turning is concerned for whatever reason then some thing like the SIP Mini would have been ideal I would have thought:

Check around for prices, have seen it for as low as £95.00 and there are other branded clones of same machine, although personally I would stick with SIP, based on past customer service. You may find one second hand from someone upgrading.

 

[woodbloke]

Hi and welcome to the forum - Rob

 

[Bodrighy]

Thanks for this guys. I didn't realise there were so many different lathes. Now if I had a grand to spare and a workshop......must buy that lottery ticket.

Is a swivel head worth looking at? The Perform CCL has variable speed and seems to have slower speeds than the others if that's of useand a swivel headstock. Also has stand which would save creating a special bench.

decisions decisions
Bodrighy

 

[woodbloke]

Once you know the type of thing you are looking for, it might be worth a trawl thru' the Bay to see what's up for grabs....quite allot on there usually - Rob

 

[CHJ]

Is a swivel head worth looking at? The Perform CCL has variable speed and seems to have slower speeds than the others if that's of use and a swivel headstock. Also has stand which would save creating a special bench. Bodrighy

The swivel head is only really necessary if you are into larger diameter bowls or platters, It can however make access to the inside of even a small bowl easier as you are able to turn the bowl out to face you rather than leaning over the bed.

The CCL does the job, it is what I used as a newbie to turning up until Nov.05 It may need some fettling of rough casting edges and like all these vario belt drives appreciates a service, regularity depending on usage. It is capable of the occasional large item with patience.
As far as the stand is concerned, I note you are working in an attic, the wooden floors might be a source of noise and vibration with a larger machine. The stand is adequate to support the lathe but benefits from the fitting of shelves etc. to stiffen it up, mine was bolted to a concrete floor, perhaps a couple of paving slabs resting on felt or high density foam may be beneficial to mount it on.

 

[Bodrighy]

Once you know the type of thing you are looking for, it might be worth a trawl thru' the Bay to see what's up for grabs....quite allot on there usually - Rob

I have had a look through Ebay over the last week or so and most of the stuff is either outside my league (cost & size)or obscure and old. Myford for £56 that is local to me was tempting but it looks huge and the vendor says it won't take a morse taper which I gather is pretty useful also a coronet major but built in the 59's as far as I can make outand more of a workshop on legs.
I have to decide whether to go new with a guarantee etc or risk 2nd hand. My ignorance is leading me into doing the former. Later I'll probably use E-bay forchucks tools etc. There seem to be no end of stuff cheap.
Need to hurry though, that log of eucalyptus is glaring at me from the corner of the kitcjen and I am surrounde by beech hedges that really need drastic trimming......

 

[bwlossie]

Hi Bodrighy,
I am even newer to all this than you!
I bought a Sealey SM42 from ebay just 3/4 months ago. Got it for £51 and went to Skegness for the day to pick it up.
Never done anything with wood before, was not even allowed in the school woodworking lessons 'cos "i couldn't do it"
I am trying at the moment to teach myself and have been borrowing videos, reading this forum, all sorts to get a bit of experience before buying "good" wood.
You will gather from that, that my main timber is very wet/green. Microwave on overtime.
I have some cedar, ash and a small piece of pine. My friend knows a tree surgeon and is making enquiries for me.
Best of luck in your turning.[/u]

 

[PowerTool]

Welcome to the (ever-growing) forum

Glad you've progressed from browsing to joining in.

Andrew

 

[Bodrighy]

Hi Bodrighy,
I am even newer to all this than you!
I bought a Sealey SM42 from ebay just 3/4 months ago. Got it for £51 and went to Skegness for the day to pick it up.
.[/u]

If I can be patient perhaps I should wait a bit longer for somethingto come up on Ebay.
I've seen some stuff but in my ignorance nothing that I have ever heard of so I try and google the lathe but often there isn't enough detail just a make with no model etc (':?')

Post some of the stuff you do bwlossie I find the pics good for inspiration. Seeing some of the stuffthat all these experts are turning out makes weweak at the knees
Bodrighy(':shock:')

 

[Anonymous]

Bodrighy

Have a look around the net for woodturning clubs... they sometimes have adverts from members...

You'll find quite a few :wink: on here:
http://www.woodturners.co.uk/

 

[Bodrighy]

Bodrighy

Have a look around the net for woodturning clubs... they sometimes have adverts from members...
http://www.woodturners.co.uk/

Thanks

I picked that idea up reading through the forum. The nearest one is 30 miles away. If anyone knows of any closer to Exmoor please let me know. I reckon I'd learn more watching than reading.

Bodrighy

 

[Bodrighy]

Anyone know anything about this lathe?[/url]

 

[Anonymous]

Russel will be able to give you chapter and verse on this one...

 

[paulm]

Yep, decent small lathe, had one myself a few years ago as a starter lathe.

Good basic machine, doubt it's only six years old though, I had a cl3 version in green paint that was seven years old and the blue paint was what they used prior to green. I would guess more like 8 to 10 years old, but not necessarily a problem as long as the motor and bearings are still sound.

Would do fine for turning small bowls and spindle work.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[bwlossie]

Hi Bodrighy,
If someone can tell me how to display an image I have a couple of photos for you.
I have posted photos on other forums but only needed to right click/add picture/and away we go.
Not figured out how to do it here yet.

Barry.





[/img]

 

[paulm]

There's a sticky at the top of the General board that covers posting of pictures very comprehensively.

Even managed it myself first time yesterday so obviously not too complicated !!!

Cheers, Paul.