Things to look for in a lathe,

[WoodAddict]

Hi guys,

I've been looking around the turning section and there is some real nice stuff on here. Once my "tinkering space" is sorted I'll certainly save one wall for a lathe

I've had a look around the usual second-hand sites and newspapers for a lathe, but I'm not sure what features I'll need..... I'll be having a go at some small pieces such as bowls, plates, small vase's, pens and tea-lite holders etc.

I have searched the best I can but I've only picked up on a few things, but nothing to help a complete newbie enter into the world of turning. The main talk seems to be of the use of a "clutch". I read somewhere that this is a relatively new addition to the world of lathes, so could I get one to fit any lathe (as long as they match up?) If there was no clutch then what's the other option for holding the piece in place?

Though these may seem like "Silly" questions to you more experienced guys, a few "***** proof" hints and tips would go a long way.

Thank you in advance and keep up the good work 8)

 

[TheTiddles]

I think you mean chuck, a clutch is on many lathes but not wood ones.

You can pick up a chuck for not a huge amount of money and fit to almost any lathe and generally speaking, lathes aren't expensive machines so have a good shop around.

Aidan

 

[WoodAddict]

I think you mean chuck, a clutch is on many lathes but not wood ones.

You can pick up a chuck for not a huge amount of money and fit to almost any lathe and generally speaking, lathes aren't expensive machines so have a good shop around.

Aidan

sorry, I did mean chuck! I use a drill most days at work, I've got no idea why I said clutch! :roll: :lol:

Thanks
Paul

 

[blurk99]

Weight and construction can play an important part, but it needs to be coupled with a solid base. Cast Iron bed and stand is typically best and if it's on a 'normal' shed floor an off centre or imbalanced piece can shake your fillings out! Most importantly try and get some time on one that's local to you - either a retailer or a forum member

jim

 

[Jonzjob]

If you have a look at the 'stickies' on the top of this forum you will see what loads of the members have. It should at least give you a starting point. One of the things mentioned several times is that if you have the choice between a small, pen type, lathe and a larger one then get the larger if you can, because you can make small things on a large lathe, but not larger items on a small one. Ideally get one of each, but not until you have decided what you want to do..

Welcome to the world that turns!

 

[WoodAddict]

Thanks guys.

I've just been looking at some of the stuff on your link jonzjob. are these whole pieces or are the stems glued on? I was just wondering whether the rings were carved somehow from the same piece? I notced them on other pieces too. Very clever.

Paul

 

[Jonzjob]

Now.. What you do there is to turn the rings separately, soak them for a couple of days in warm water, it's important to keep the water warm. And then very carefully stretch them over the end and this is where I can never keep a straight face when peple ask! :twisted:

Right John, be serious for once!

The rings are turned along with the rattle/goblet or whatever. I looked at the price of ring turning tools and made one for myself from a 1 1/4" old chisel.

This is probably not the best video, but it shows how it's done http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVIELSJs ... re=related

There looks like there should be some other good stuff on there too?

 

[WoodAddict]

haha. nice reply :lol:

I thought it was from the same piece but couldn't imagine how it was done, but now I know

I made the mistake of looking on youtube last night at about 10.30pm. Then I looked up from the screen and it was 12.45am :shock: I can almost feel an addiction in it's early stages and I've not even had a go yet!

 

[Bodrighy]

The real trick is when you do rings like this :lol:



Pete

 

[Jonzjob]

Blimey! There's always one smartass :shock:

OK Pete how'd you do that????? 8) 8) 8)

 

[Blister]

Hi WoodAddict

Going back to you " What to look for in a lathe "

Basically you need a good weight / substance / and around 1 HP motor

Ability to turn around 16" over the bed , Bed length depends on how log your projects will be ?

Try and avoid old cheap / anything with pressed tin cases / anything with low HP motors

It may cost a fair bit more to buy but if you decide turning is not for you , it will retain a good resale value

Its my opinion why so many cheap second hand lather are for sale on Ebay is because it puts people off turning as the cheapo market is not sutable for turning

My first lathe was a Draper ? Clone with a 375watt motor , It was crap And it nearly put a stop to my turning , until I invested in a good quality used machine :lol:

 

[Deejay]

Hello WoodAddict

See if you can get hold of a copy of

'Woodturning - a foundation course' by Keith Rowley. Lots of useful stuff in it.

Don't forget you will need to buy other things. Tools, something to sharpen them, and something to protect your lungs from the dust.

Where do you live? Have a look at ...

http://www.woodturners.co.uk/. There may be a club nearby.

Welcome to the Slope

Cheers

Dave

 

[Jonzjob]

Mine is a Record CL1 with a 250w motor and I haven't found a problem with that so far. I've turned up to 14" so far and just swung the head round so the piece was clear of the bed bars. No problems..

I mounted it on a 2 X 3 wooden 'A' frame with a 2 X 6 top, bolted to the floor and cross braced with cateniary wire and tensioners. That way I don't have to chase it round the workshop if I'm turning something out of ballance. About the only thing extra I would like is a couple more than 3 speeds?

This was out of balance and not a problem..

All in all a cracking bit of kit for me..

 

[Deejay]

Mine is a Record CL1 with a 250w motor and I haven't found a problem with that so far. I've turned up to 14" so far and just swung the head round so the piece was clear of the bed bars. No problems..

Good point John. I've got an old Record DML with a swivel head. I too have turned a 14" bowl, with the same motor.

I only turn as a hobby, so speed isn't that important to me.

Cheers

Dave

 

[WoodAddict]

thanks gus, some good pointers there. I think I should get out and see some close up before I commit to anything. I've got a week off next week before starting a new job so I'll get out and about I think.

I'll make a list of things to look for from this post.

Thanks again
Paul

 

[OldWood]

Paul
Your profile doesn't say where you are but I would strongly endorse the recommendation that you need to get some contact with turning before you launch into buying things.

Let us know where you are and someone will tell you where to find a local club.

The reason basically is that to get yourself set up reasonably your outlay will accumulate to £1k quite quickly -- now I know that there will be plenty of people who will challenge that but they've either been very lucky with their purchases or haven't actually stopped and thought just how much they have spent ! Just look round the club and see what you are going to have to commit yourself to.

You will be lucky IMO to get a reasonable lathe for under £500 for starters; you may be lucky enough to get a chuck with it, otherwise that's another at least £100 and that too may not include additional jaws. Then there's centres, turning tools, sharpening system for the tools, calipers - the list just goes on. And if like me you fancy sourcing local hardwoods, then a bandsaw is required.

Back to lathes - one thing I spotted very quickly was the advantage of having variable speed (with a knob preferably, rather than push buttons). This requires a 3ph motor and a box that will convert 1ph to 3ph. There are quite a lot of 2nd hand ex school/college machines coming onto the market that are 3ph and as long as you are into tinkering for setting it all up, it is not a difficult thing to do, but that's around another £150.

Rob

 

[WoodAddict]

Hi,

I'm based around Loughborough (Notts, Leicester border). I did find a link in someones signature for turning classes in Leicester though I can't find it again now and can't remember which member it was :roll:

I'll be out this week hopefully having a look around. I'll add my location to the profile. 8)

 

[lurker]

Suggest you pm me when you have time

I'm not very good but can point you in the right direction

There are (alas) no classes round this way but there is a good club over at Kegworth if you are interested in that sort of thing

There are quite a few ace turners (on this forum) within spitting distance - Coalville & Leicester

 

[jpt]

Hi,

I'm based around Loughborough (Notts, Leicester border). I did find a link in someones signature for turning classes in Leicester though I can't find it again now and can't remember which member it was :roll:

I'll be out this week hopefully having a look around. I'll add my location to the profile. 8)

that would be Richard HERE

john

 

[robo hippy]

You can turn nice things on a cheap lathe, but it takes more effort. Thing to figure out is how much you want to spend on the lathe, then figure that you will spend 2 to 5 times (and still counting for me) that much on accessories.

If you can, and my personal preference is to get variable speed. Turning a knob is much better than changing a belt, and gives a much wider range of speeds. This is really handy for chain sawn bowl blanks. This comes 2 ways. One is with a DC motor, which over on this side of the pond is mostly Jet and Delta on the mini lathes. These are short bed lathes and you can get bed extensions to go with them. The other way is with 3 phase motors, which is a bit better than the DC motors in giving higher torque at lower speeds. There are nifty phase converters so they will run on house hold current. They are on the bigger lathes, with 1 to 3 horse power motors, and turning capacity of 16 inch diameter and more. If you plan on selling, you want 'family' sized bowls which are in the 12 to 16 inch diameter range.

Another thing that I prefer is a sliding headstock. My lathe sits in a corner, and for bowl turning, I don't want to bend over the bed to turn a bowl. Choices are a sliding headstock where you move the headstock down to the far end and turn bowls there, making your lathe a 'bowl' lathe, or turning off the other end in 'outboard' style, which isn't an option for me. Some lathes will have a pivoting headstock so you can turn larger bowls on a smaller lathe. This works okay, but only one of the bowl coring tools will set up in your tool rest that way.

Do find the nearest club. Great people, great learning experience, and free advise, though you will get several different opinions on everything. Also a chance to pick up used tools and lathes.

robo hippy