Requesting view on this lathe

[devonwoody]

Axminster sent me an email re their pen turning demo on 5th July,
and linked the invitation to this lathe (the M330).

http://www.axminster.co.uk:80/product.a ... 8_wk26aSW&

Anyone using this tool and their comments appreciated.

How much more do I need to spend to be making pens?

 

[chippypah]

Hi devonwoody,
Before you go and buy a lathe you have to be sure what you want to turn, this may sound a bit strange but the reason is very good. If all you ever want to turn is pens or small items between centres then that is fine, but so many people start off that way and then want to turn other things. And that means buying another lathe, so not very cost effective.
To turn pens all you need is a mandrel some pen kits and wood, and all I use is a 3/4 roughing out gouge. Other people use a skew, but being one handed that is not an option for me.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Pete

 

[Bodrighy]

A lot of pros use this and other mini lathes for demo work and they have a good reputation. I don't do pens so can't really comment on what else you will need but it's as bad as any othe type of woodwork for additivness regarding tools and equipment. As the other Pete has said, if you are 100% certain that you will never ever want to make anything bigger then fine otherwise it may be worth looking for something bigger (if you have the space with all your other gear)

HTH Pete

 

[CHJ]

John, Here's a link to my basic bits that I use to make pens.

You may get encouraged to buy a miniature set of tools as well as a smaller lathe for making pens, these are totaly unnecessary and regular sized tools are fine.

As the Petes have said, unless you intend to stay firmly in the world of Oldsoke or just make bits for your boxes then you may want to consider a little larger machine for creating curly shavings.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks for your link Chas. I have added to my favourites.

 

[Paul.J]

Be warned DW.
Just doing pens alone is very addictive

 

[Scrums]

It's a lovely little lathe and I'm very glad I've got one - ex ebay inc' chuck.

If you outgrow it in capacity, whatever you do, don't sell it on - set it up - side by side with the bigger one, and use it, you'll find it makes life so much easier and takes up very little space.

Chris.

 

[Anonymous]

Have to agree and endorse Chris' (scrums) comments...it's a great lathe for small stuff (I have no problem turning dishes up the the max on it)

You can turn small stuff on a big lathe (e.g. 3mm fruit on a VB36 :lol: ) but not vice versa!

 

[devonwoody]

I havent really got the room for another large machine so I think I could accept a small lathe and thought I could bolt it to a substantial plank and then clamp to my workbench when I wanted to use for knobs and pens.

Do I need a chuck for pen making?

Or does the mandrel slide into the lathe has supplied?

 

[CHJ]

... thought I could bolt it to a substantial plank and then clamp to my workbench when I wanted to use for knobs and pens.

May be small John but not exactly lightweight when it comes to humping it about.

... Do I need a chuck for pen making?

No you don't.

... Or does the mandrel slide into the lathe has supplied?

You can get mandrels with a morse taper fitting to fit the headstock spindle.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks Chas.

 

[Anonymous]

John, I use my M330 resting on a piece of non-slip (£1 special :wink: ) mat... it's not bolted down... I have, however, bolted it to a piece of 9mm ply to give a flat base

On demos it sits on the corner posts (30mm square) of a box (there's a pic on Chas' Cotswold bash 07...

 

[devonwoody]

Oh thanks , I was just posting my order off

 

[Anonymous]

:?:

 

[devonwoody]

I've got a 10% discount voucher so I placed the order today because it expires tomorrow.

 

[Anonymous]

Something you might consider if you may go less that 6" from the headstock...

a 10" toolrest (circa £5 cheaper than a 6" !!!) ... I cut one down to suit my needs :wink:

You may see from the Bash pix that I changed the location of the on/off switch to the left side (tapped and threaded an 'L' bracket to the top of the housing)

 

[devonwoody]

yes I saw the switch was on the right, so I expect I shall need to make a mod.