mini lathes - How big?

[pe2dave]

I'm looking at a mini lathe (probably the Axminster M330 or AWSL.

Looking at chucks I'm favouring the Nova (G3 or midi), with a Nova live centre
in the tailstock.

Suddenly occurred to me, with such a short distance between centres,
what's left for the wood!

Anyone with either of these lathes, what is the distance between the headstock
thread and the tailstock 'opening' please?

I can't even find out the size of the 'sticky outy bits' for the chucks, but if I
know the available space I'll have a start!


I only want a foot or so (max) for wood, but struck me it's worth enquiring.

TIA Dave

 

[TEP]

Mornin' Dave,

If you add about 3 1/2" for a scroll chuck, plus approx. 2 1/2" for the revolving centre, deduct that from the between centre size of the lathe and it should leave you with what space is left to work with. These are only approximate sizes, as all depends on what gear you use. I don't think you will be able to work a max of 12" easily on the M330.

If this is a problem you could try the Axminster M600, same lathe as the M330, but with a longer bed. and only £30 more. The M600 should take up to about 17" with a chuck and tail centre. The longer bed is very handy if you want to just slide the tail stock out of the way for a minute.

 

[Bodrighy]

The AWSL comes with an extension and the AWVSL (variable speed version) has one as an extra.

For a litlle more there is the Jet which give 9 1/2" over the bed and has the potential to add an extension which makes it virtually full size spindle length if needed.

Pete

 

[pe2dave]

The AWSL comes with an extension and the AWVSL (variable speed version) has one as an extra.

For a litlle more there is the Jet which give 9 1/2" over the bed and has the potential to add an extension which makes it virtually full size spindle length if needed.

Pete

I'm looking for the distance between centres, not the swing Bodrighy?

Dave

 

[TEP]

Hi Dave.

Just had a look at the 'AWSL' that Pete mentioned, it looks almost identical to the M330 just different colours, but at £122, and that is with the extension bed piece, you can't go far wrong with this lathe. At that price you must expect the castings and finish to be not so good as the M330/600. The AWSL would take 12" easily between centres, even with a chuck and revolving centre fitted. Then if you don't need the bed extension you can put it on the bench beneath the lathe to act as ballast. :lol:

A word of warning, IME I wouldn't touch a variable speed lathe using a 'DC' motor. As you turn the speed down on this type of motor, you also turn down the torque, so at about 2/3's speed down you can stop the motor by just pressing gently with the tool.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[pe2dave]

Hi Dave.

Just had a look at the 'AWSL' that Pete mentioned,
The AWSL would take 12" easily between centres, even with a chuck and revolving centre fitted.

440mm 'between centres'. 17" I'm just not sure how they define centres?
End of the tailstock to end of the threaded headstock?

I can't find any axial dimensions for the Nova G3, the midi or
the tektools live tail centre, but ~3" each would take me down to 11"
which is fine by me. Just wondering how good my guesses are!


regards

 

[TEP]

Normally between centres means between the drive centre when fitted into the head stock, and the tail centre fitted into the tail stock, with the tail stock fitted at the extreme end of the bed.

Then as I said if you fit a chuck you must take of the size of the chuck as well.