Router Lathes

[Froggy]

Hi Has anyone ever used a router lathe? Are they as good as they look? What make would you recommend buying?

Tim

 

[DaveL]

Hi Tim,

I have the Trend router lathe, they have stopped selling it now but they come up second hand on a regular basis.
I did not pay their full price for it, it was very expensive and not worth the asking price. It is a useful bit of kit but does have limitations, the whole thing suffers from backlash, it is very important to keep the tension on in the same direction or the job will be ruined. Compared to turning on a normal lathe progress is very slow.
I have only made a few things with it and I do have others plained, it does have its uses but for me not as many as I first thought.

 

[Froggy]

Thanks Dave,

I thought it looked like a great piece of kit, but with not too many manufacturers making them and apparently not a lot of woodworkers using them it did make me wonder.

Cheers Tim

 

[Frank S]

Hi Tim,
I have a Sears Robuck router lathe,it`s the same as the Trend but much sturdier.I have used it to turn barley twist legs for a couple of small tables and was very pleased with the result. As has been mentioned,it does suffer with backlash,but this is mentioned in the instruction book.so with care, a good job can be turned out. It is not in everyday use,but as I got it for a song,it sits under my big lathe until needed and I have found it very useful.
Frank S

 

[Ring]

I have the trend router lathe bought from a forum member Richardhw ,its not the fastest i have recently turned tapered barley twist table legs and the results are good.
Jim

 

[Froggy]

Got any pics. Jim?

 

[Ring]

Will take some tonight


http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af3 ... age005.jpg
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af3 ... age006.jpg
Sorry about the quality but its on my phone

 

[dickm]

Will take some tonight


http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af3 ... age005.jpg
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af3 ... age006.jpg
Sorry about the quality but its on my phone

Never mind the image quality, the work looks excellent!
I've got the Sears one too, acquired from the "Civic amenity site" in Newport Pagnell for the princely sum of £3. But have never had much success with it, so any tips on its use would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wizer]

I've always fancied one. One day I'll make the jig that's in Bill Hylton's book. But I'll probably make it over my normal lathe rather than have it fully hand cranked. His design uses bicycle chains, so I imagine backlash is greatly reduced.

 

[Froggy]

I wish I'd never asked to see those photos now Ring - 'cause now I want one!! The legs are great.