Woodlathe decision- Carbatec vs Hafco

[Cub]

Hi all
Over the past year or so I have been practicing and making some nice things on my lathe, before you ask yes it is a $129 lathe off the internet.

I have learned the pitfalls of owning such a thing for starters the head and tail stock do not use morse taper fittings they are thread so you can only use the pieces that come with the lathe, the centres did not exactly align up so I had to do some adjustments, to change the belt speed you have to open a door, loosen two bolts try to move the belt up or down tighten the bolts and close the door again which has safety switch in it which has to be forced in, the toolrest will only move into about 50mm from the centre, you can't turn short pieces of stock as the toolrest and tailstock lock levers fowl against each other, the bed and entire lathe is made out of steel tube and sheet metal and every vibration seems to be amplified. All in all I have still been able to make some nice things.

I want a lathe that will save me time and much of this hassel. I have narrowed down my field to about two or three lathes. The carbatec MC1100A (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-11m-bed-wood-lathe_c20060) , the Hafco W384 (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products?stockCode=W384#) and the Hafco WL838 (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products?stockCode=W388). Now one of my biggest pet peeves is having to bend far down on a lathe since I top 6ft, because I have used the Hafco WL18 many times and found it uncomfortable, but whereas the teknatool lathes are at a suitable height for me. I will also like to be able to add attachments and fittings later on if needed such as a hollowing rig or a copy attachment. I really like the electronic controlled hafco lathe because it means that there is no lever sticking out, but sadly the leg frame does look a bit ordinary. Thats where the Carbatec one comes in it has a cast iron frame and judging by the look of things is a good height.
So my question to you has anyone had much experince with these lathes or which direction I should go?
Thanks for the input :)
David

[Avery]

I would only suggest that you check the actual lathe that you will take delivery of before it leaves the supplier. The quality in these things seems to vary immensly. Check such things as bearings & centre heights etc.

We recently bought a router table, a bandsaw and a thicknesser from one of the suppliers that you have mentioned and all three failed with obvious manufacturing defects straight out of the box. The supplier was only too happy to correct the problems but that involves waiting some long time (over a 6 weeks now) for new parts.

[Jim Carroll]

Save your money and buy better quality lathes.

Because of your height get a bench mounted version and make it to suit yourself.

The Nova Lathes are easily bench mounted

You need to be comfortable when turning.

Too low and the middle of your back will get sore'

Too high and your shoulders will get sore.

[RETIRED]

After 40 years, everything is sore. :roflmao:

[orraloon]

I would widen the search and look around a bit more. The first 2 you mention are almost the same (belt and pulley var speed) and while a step up from what you have got now can be less than perfect. As Jim pointed out go for a quality brand and if dollars are an issue a secondhand quality machine is usually a better bet than a new generic job. Dont rush into it but take some time and check out as many as you can first. It has to be doing what you want a lathe to do. As to height that is not hard to fix. Too low just put something under the feet. Too High then you find something to stand on. I have not used a copy attachment but have not heard a lot of good said about them either. Hollowing rigs are many and varied and often require some kind of custom fitting but are more likley to fit the better lathes than the cheapies. Try your local turning club or other turners near you for advise.
Regards
John

[Paul39]

After 40 years, everything is sore. :roflmao:

Too true, too true. Age 71 in my case.

Cub,

If one buys a lathe with a too short stand, mounting on scrap 6 X 6, 8 X 8, or a stack of 2 X timber picked out of a construction dumpster brings it up and adds weight to the bottom. Multiply the above by 25 for millimeters.

Mount securely cross ways to the bed.

If you could provide a $$ figure that you can afford, and ask for recommendations
for used lathes, I'm sure this mob can come up with some suggestions.

I slowly came up through a series of lathes, getting better and larger each time. All were used, and when reselling, I did not get hurt.

Add: I agree with Orraloon above, he types faster than I.

[Cub]

Hi all
Thanks for the speedy feedback.
To answer some of your questions my budget really goes up to about $800-$1000 or thereabouts, I am perfectly fine with importing one or owning a used one as long it is in good nick. If I saw a nice teknatool dvr at a good price my budget could stretch.
Thanks again every one:)
David

[Jim Carroll]

David here is one on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WOOD-LATHE-NOVA-DVR-XP-/250799879246?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3a64d6744e) that may be of interest

[Cub]

Yeah, it's a shame it's just too far out of my budget. Ideally yes that is what I would want, does anyone know of any similar lathes in America (gennerally much cheaper). The only similar one here is the hafco ones but I really just don't know. Thanks for the input guys. :2tsup:
David

[Paul39]

Hi all

To answer some of your questions my budget really goes up to about $800-$1000 or thereabouts, I am perfectly fine with importing one or owning a used one as long it is in good nick.
David

David,

Be patient, and talk to everyone who has a lathe. Ask to test drive.

Any advantage of cheaper in USA I think will be killed by shipping to AU.

I bought a 1995 AU made Woodfast with an added DC variable speed drive last year for $850. It is a short bed with 20 inch swing. I absolutely LOVE!! the lathe.

I make bowls so the short bed is fine for me. There are several versions of that vintage and they turn up for sale in AU off and on.

A gentleman on this forum buys, restores and resells them. Do a search for Woodfast Lathes. You will find my posts ranting and raving about how much I love mine.

There are older lathes around that have spent years in a shop unused because people lost interest. They may be rusty but will be fine once cleaned up a bit. Buying used will also sometimes have chisels, faceplates, drive centers, live centers, etc. thrown in, and maybe even a chuck.

Stick with a cast iron bed. I have a 350mm swing fairly expensive well made German Hegner lathe with heavy square steel tube bed. It is not as rigid as the Woodfast and rings like a bell when I am hollowing a bowl.

With your budget and a bit of patience you can get a fine set up.

[sturina]

Hi Cub


I have just done what you are thinking about (two weeks ago). I was going for a Carbatec MC1100A but (in Sydney there was a three month wait). I opted for the MC900 which is a bit shorter, but long enough for my needs. As I wanted a specific height I mounted it my own bench where I had the previous lathe. I went from a lathe identical to yours to this and love it. For budget reasons and the amount of use it gets I could not justify spending much more money (and the money I saved on the 900 got spent in the shop on other things!).

I have found the lathe a fantastic step up, only two draw back to it in my use so far (pen making and bowls). Firstly the headstock is a little stiff to rotate if wanting to turn larger sized bowls. Secondly and my greatest problem (though still small) is that it is not as easy to rotate the spindle if machine is not turning and you want to turn the opbject around (eg applying CA to a pen).

I love the variable speed as opposed to the pulley and find myself changing speeds much more often and my turning and finishing is much better for it.

Beware that it is heavy so I had to wait after I picked it up for the neighbours to come home so that I could left it out the car and onto the bench.

Good luck, whichever you buy I am sure you will enjoy it a lot more.

Sturina

[mick61]

I agree with Jim if you are going to spend over a $1000 look at woodfast or teknatool.
Mick:D

[cookie48]

As stated before. I purchased a set of gear from a well know company only to end up taking all the China made crap back for more repairs than it was worth. Be very very careful. Just because they have a good name means. nothing at all. I just wish we could name and shame these companies.

[Cub]

Hi
Thanks everyone for the detailed responses, It has given quite a bit to think about, just wanted to know has anyone had any negative expeinces wih the Hafco MC900 or W384?
Thanks again everyone :2tsup:
David

[GEEBEAN]

Me Too.!!