Opinions/experience sought...

[JerryP]

I am selling a Myford ML8 Lathe, so I am biased. I have had my lathe for 30+ years and I have never had to fiddle with alignment. This machine was built in the days of "proper engineering", so the machining and tolerences are fine. If you want to turn pen blanks you would use a much smaller lathe. Wood turning is more "art" than engineering and regitity is only relevant when turning really long/big stuff.
.

Do you still have the Myford for sale?

 

[Terry - Somerset]

I started with an Axminster AWVSL1000.

Good value for money with a large capacity - the reason why I bought it in the first place.

However quality of castings and finish inevitably suffers. The "variable speed" is actually 10 speed Reeves drive which occasionally gets clogged with dust.

Has since been replaced with a Record Cornet Herald. Better finish, proper variable speed, wider speed range, takes up less space as the bed length is reduced. Overall a much nicer machine to use.

Personal view - buy quality if you are looking to the long term - otherwise accept you will want to change again in a few years. Proper variable speed essential - adjustment takes seconds, not stop the lathe, adjust belts, start again.

 

[XTiffy]

Do you still have the Myford for sale?

Yes!

 

[XTiffy]

The lathe is in the For Sale section.

 

[JerryP]

Just found it in the For Sale section...

Yes!

Sadly, I've just realised that it is vertically driven from below, so needs a dedicated stand - original or non-standard - this is a non-starter for me at the moment as I cannot accommadate another free-standing machine