New lathe best advice

[Thermo]

Greetings to you all.

Up until my children were born and setting up my business i was really getting into woodturning on my cheap ferm lathe. I really enjoyed turning bowls and similar bits and pieces. Now im at a stage where im starting to get a bit more time and im keen to get back into it again. With that in mind i want to step up in terms of lathes. I have a budget of about £4-500 exc vat. Now bearing in mind im the guy that walks into a shop and buys a video recorder the day before they stop producing them, or a toyota the day before they get recalled (i dont but you get my drift!) I hoped to gain the benefit of peoples wisdom and recomendations on here. Ive been trawling the net for the last few weeks, and to be honest there is quite a range of both features and prices and quality, but little in the way of solid reviews. I have a couple in mind but id like to see what gets suggested. Im also open to getting a quality second hand one. Ideally i want to be able to turn larger bowls so a swiveling headstock is a must.

Many thanks in advance, and im sure that this question gets asked often. I did try a search but it threw up so many variables or so many old posts, i thought it may be better to start afresh.

 

[myturn]

Given your budget and requirement of a swivelling head one option is the Record CL3.
It can be upgraded to variable speed at a later date if you want to keep it but that will bring the cost to that of a CL4.

So if you think you will upgrade sooner or later then perhaps increase the initial budget and go for a CL4 from the outset.

Another option is the Axminster AW1416VS which is fixed-head, variable speed but has a very good swing of 14" over the bed which is enough for most bowls.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Thermo

There's a jet1442 in for sale on this board. Dermot wants £399 for it, which seems good value to me. They get good reviews.

 

[Wood spoiler]

Thermo

There's a jet1442 in for sale on this board. Dermot wants £399 for it, which seems good value to me. They get good reviews.

It would seem to be an excellent opportunity. It is now a £1,000 lathe, well made and has the required rotating headstock

 

[Thermo]

thanks guys, for the advice and the tip off. it looks just what im after.

 

[Richard Findley]

If that's all he wants for it and it's in good nick then I'd bite his hand off for it!! I've got one and they're a cracking bit of kit!!

Cheers

Richard

 

[Thermo]

ive just pmd him, so we will see!

 

[chrisbaker42]

Hope you get it, sounds like a great piece of kit at a good price.

 

[Blister]

That's a steal for the money asked

Worth paying to have it transported

 

[Thermo]

Ha Ha my jet lathe has turned up courtesy of a very helpful and patient dermot and a man in a white van. I just wanted to say thanks to those that put me in the right direction. I cant wait to get it set up, i forsee many enjoyabvle hours with it.

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Lucky man