Lathe Choice - comments please

[TobyDavidson]

ok, I have been narrowing it down somewhat in the last week or so.

I am considering the following, based off advice received before on the site.

Axminster AWVSL1000 (currently new for £230)

Axminster M950 Variable Speed Woodturning Lathe ( £499)

CL3-CAM CL3 LATHE, 5 SPEED WITH CAM LOCK TOOLREST AND TAILSTOCK - (£499)

I would be interested in comments on all three from owners, or people who have looked at these as a starting lathe.

There is a Record Demonstration in a week at Tewkesbury so would like to have a better idea of comments before I go and see them.

 

[wizer]

My gut feeling is the Record, but it's the only one on your list that I have not seen in the flesh.

 

[loz]

Dont forget the RP CL3 will still need a stand/bench, and is only IFAIK only MT1

The VWVSL1000 looks good, include stand and is MT2, but small engine.


But i like Rp - i love thier customer service, but i have a DML and im biased !!



Loz

 

[TobyDavidson]

what are the relative benefits of 2MT over 1MT?

 

[NikNak]

Hi Toby


I've got the Axminster AWVSL1000, paired up with a Patriot chuck.


Purchased new last Sept for £200 (started a new hobby) and haven't looked back.


Sure i'd like something a bit more 'top end', but as it was a first lathe and didn't know if i'd fully take to it as a hobby.... i saved a few pennies.


However.... having said that, oh boy...... have i got the bug or what..!!


Power wise, it's taken everything i've chucked at it so far. And am hoping to have a go at a 10" x 2 1/4" spalted Beech fruit bowl this weekend.


When i look back at the very first thing i 'bodged' out, and then look at what i'm doing today just 8 months later (at least 2 of those i did nothing, as it was too cold down the shed). As soon as i can figure out how to post pics i will.

Remember also..... it's not the lathe that makes a good/nice item, sure it helps. But mainly its the operator (you) and your skill to be able to turn that old chunk of wood into something to be admired.


PM me with your email and i'll send a couple of pics to whet your appetite.


Good luck with which ever you decide to choose.


Nick

 

[maltrout512]

Hi Toby I've had the cl4 now a year old. Yes it does have niggles but they are easy to overcome. Even paying 2 or 3 times as much you will always find something that is not quite right and needs moding in some way. You may find that you get the stand in the deal. There winter catalogue shows lathe and stand for 499.95. There support is very good as well.

 

[paulm]

Hi Toby,

You are unlikely to need to worry about the morse taper size for starting out, it's only really significant if you are going to do a lot of very large, heavy turnings between centres.

I had no problems at all for quite a few years using a Record CL3 with 1MT and it didn't prevent me doing anything I wanted to do, even larger turnings.

The Records are generally pretty good all round machines, not experienced the others though.

Cheers, Paul

 

[penman]

Hi

Go for the record their service is second to non. I have a CL4 VS and that is 1MT and have had no problems with any thing I have done from pens to walking sticks and 12" tall vases. This is my third lathe and all have been 1MT.

Good luck with whatever you get

Malcolm

 

[white_sw]

I have the Axminster M950. I'm more than happy with it, and currently it does everything I want. I've hooked it up with a Supernova
chuck mkII and a Axminster "Multihead Centre & Accessories" which is currently on offer.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axmi ... 799267.htm

I was very luck as I picked it up second hand from eBay for £181. For the price that I paid, I'd highly recommend this lathe. The only
down side to it is the supplied stand. Mine was quickly mounted on a birch ply cabinet with plenty of storage under it to keep everything
organised. At the bottom of the cabinet are 4 bags of builders sand to weight it down. It's on castors, but lowered off of them once in place.

I wasn't in a hurry to get mine. Waited about 8 months in the end and it popped up on eBay. Worth the wait for the price I paid if you ask me.

Cheers,
Sam