Pickled my brain with lathe choice!!!

[DaddyG]

I am looking to get a lathe for the shed, mainly to try turning pens but also probably bowls too.

I'm looking at the smaller lathes due to space issues !

I have looked at Charnwood, Axminster and Record but partly due to not knowing what I really need I have pickled my brain.

I would be grateful of any advice of anyone who has experience in lathes and pen turning.

Thanks in advance.

 

[marcros]

are you wanting to buy new or secondhand? what is your budget?

I would suggest firstly joining a club where you can try a few lathes out and get a feel for what you like and don't like

 

[Dalboy]

What is the largest size bowls that you would want to turn is another question as most lathes are capable of turning pens

 

[dynax]

Hi DaddyG, i'm in the same position or was, eventually i made my decision to go for a Charnwood w824, which is the same as the Axi AH-1218vs, except that it has a digital rpm readout so you know what speed you are at, and built in 24 point indexing, i will be getting it towards the end of January, i don't know what i will be turning in the long term but with the extension bed allows for expansion in the future and a good sized motor make it for me a good starting point, when i was looking i did notice that there was nothing on the used market regarding Charnwood, is this good or bad i don't know, does it mean they are total carp and get scrapped or are they a good machine that people keep, anyway that's my 2 cents worth, good luck with your search and let us know how you get on and which machine you decide to get, cheers.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You have space issues, but don't let size put you off anything a little larger than you were condidering - as Dalboy said, you can turn small things on big lathes - but not the other way around. See the little blackwood and silver goblet on top of one of the tools in the foreground? That was turned on this lathe.

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks for the replies, I think I Ave completely frazzled my brain as I must of deleted the paragraph saying I was looking at new but would consider used if local.

I would probably just use it to make small bowls so I don't think it would influence my decision to much.

Was looking for entry level lathes say £250 but would increase the budget if something more suitable was available.

Space is a real issue am in a 3m x 2m shed and already have mitre saw bench, table saw, planer thicknesser and bench drill !!!

 

[bobajobob]

DaddyG, I thought I had done well cramming machines into my shed. At least you're well equipped to build a bigger shed, 'cos after that lathe the bandsaw is going to be a real squeeze.

Good luck.

BTW I would re-iterate what others have said. A good 2nd-hander is wise choice if you can find one.

 

[DaddyG]

Have just built the shed and won't be able to go bigger!!!

Was looking at a small bandsaw!!! Will probably share the wheeled bench that the table saw and planer sits on!!
But will need to find a spot to store another machine under my bench?
Am looking at second hand but nothing local as yet.

 

[DaddyG]

Well am following am following an Axminster AH 1218vs on fleabay looks like it has a chuck too !!

Am winning at min and ends lunch time so fingers crossed!!!

 

[DaddyG]

Oh well the search continues I was outbid! !!!!