What lathe for A-levels?

[William98]

Hi,

I have just started my A-levels and want to buy a wood lathe, this will help me at school and I find it really fun. I only have a budget of around £100 to £200 and don't have enough room in my workshop for a floor standing lathe. I am pretty stuck as to what lathe I should get, as I am new to this and have never brought a lathe before. Can anybody suggest some good lathes for me and some good woodworking tools as well?

Many thanks,
William98.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Welcome, Will. Your best option to start is undoubtedly to join a club. You will get tuition, often the chances to buy tools, blanks and possibly a lathe as well. At least you'll find out what to look for. Your budget is limiting, but who knows? I saw a nice little DML sold for £50.

 

[SVB]

William,

Not sure if it is still operating as an initiative but the AWGB used to do a loan scheme where they would medium term load a lathe and some basic tooling to new comers to get them going. They are also keen to encourage younger terms so unless you are a mature student at college you may qualify on both counts. Worth a google and couple of emails I'd think.

Simon

 

[gregmcateer]

Welcome to the forum, William.

Great to hear you are interested in turning at such a young age.
I'd agree with the earlier posts - Get your mum or dad to take you along to the nearest club night, (they can be found on the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain website here - http://www.awgb.co.uk/club-map/).

As the guys said - you will learn loads and could well find a good priced lathe and / or tools for sale form a member of the club.

Best of luck and do post some pictures of your work.

Greg

 

[mind_the_goat]

Get your mum or dad to take you along to the nearest club night,

He is 17, I think parents are optional at that age
Good advice though.

 

[SVB]

Get your mum or dad to take you along to the nearest club night,

He is 17, I think parents are optional at that age
Good advice though.

Could be a 40 yrs old mature student or super gifted 10 yr old also though!

:lol:

 

[Noggsy]

William, you don't say what A-Levels you are doing...if it's Theatre Studies for example, then a lathe may not help at all

Seriously though, well done for asking for advice, that's a wise thing to do. So is getting yourself to a turning club or two, where you can try out various kinds of equipment and may also get put in touch with cheaper second-hand kit. Don't forget that it isn't just a lathe you need, but sharpening equipment is as important (arguably more so).

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[bugbear]

Hi,

I have just started my A-levels and want to buy a wood lathe, this will help me at school and I find it really fun. I only have a budget of around £100 to £200 and don't have enough room in my workshop for a floor standing lathe. I am pretty stuck as to what lathe I should get, as I am new to this and have never brought a lathe before. Can anybody suggest some good lathes for me and some good woodworking tools as well?

Many thanks,
William98.

If the lathe is directly for the 'A' level, what curriculum requirements does it need to fulfil?

(e.g. if the curriculum requires bowl turning there''s no point getting a small, accurate pen lathe)

BugBear

 

[William98]

William, you don't say what A-Levels you are doing...if it's Theatre Studies for example, then a lathe may not help at all

Thanks for the advice. I am doing resistant materials as one of my A-levels and in year 13 we do some wood turning. The lathe is more for personal use as I have had some experience before and just want to buy a lathe for fun!