GMC Lathe = Addiction

[thefixer]

G'day fellow forumites.

There has been a lot of "for and against" opinions regarding the el cheapo GMC lathe. But, I thought it would be very interesting to find out how many turners out there got the bug after purchasing aforementioned lathe.
I will be the first to say that the GMC was responsible for what is now an addiction to turning. I got mine via a fathers day gift voucher from my kids and used it for about 12 months. I have since upgraded to a MC1100 and it is like comparing chalk and cheese. Having said that, I would like to upgrade even further to a more rock solid lathe, EG stubby:p, vicmarc:p, Well you get my drift. Maybe one day:(
Anyway, how many of you started out with the GMC and have moved on to bigger and better lathes.

Cheers
Shorty

[specialist]

I did a couple of bowls on and old clone type lathe, same type of style, flexed all over the place and wasn't even bolted down about 10 years ago. Wasn't impressed at all. However since getting back into wwing, I have since purchased a second hand mc900 and am as happy like a pig in mud.

Robert

[lubbing5cherubs]

HI Shorty I had used a lathe of my brothers many years ago and loved it. I bought myself a GMC and it nearly cured me so I can't give GMC the credit here however saying htis I know my father in law we bought our GMC both same day, both same shop his indeed lead him to buying a jet mini he had no hassle. So like all things you can get a lemon with everthing and I did but not my FIL
so just putting that out there I have seen both sides of the coin. I also remember here nova having the same run, my nova was a ripper, Twinnies however was a dud that nearly drove him mad. so it with all lathes.
just my 2cents
bye
Toni

[switt775]

Yes I also started with a GMC, back in the days of easy exchange returns at Bunnings. Wore out two lathes in the 1st 6 months, due to the tendancy of these units to overheat and ruin the drive shafts. :no::no:

After the 3rd one failed, I bought an MC1100 and have been happy with that.

The GMC was cheap enough that I wasn't afraid to give it a try. Not sure if I would ever have tried turning if I'd been required to spend $500+ to get started. :U

[robutacion]

G'day fellow forumites.

There has been a lot of "for and against" opinions regarding the el cheapo GMC lathe. But, I thought it would be very interesting to find out how many turners out there got the bug after purchasing aforementioned lathe.
I will be the first to say that the GMC was responsible for what is now an addiction to turning. I got mine via a fathers day gift voucher from my kids and used it for about 12 months. I have since upgraded to a MC1100 and it is like comparing chalk and cheese. Having said that, I would like to upgrade even further to a more rock solid lathe, EG stubby:p, vicmarc:p, Well you get my drift. Maybe one day:(
Anyway, how many of you started out with the GMC and have moved on to bigger and better lathes.

Cheers
Shorty

I totally agree with you on this issue, the $99 GMC wood lathe was and still is the "launching ramp" to wood turning to hundreds/thousands of people out there, I'm no exception. Amazingly, the price hasn't change in all these years (many of them...!), I got a "good" machine, apart from the odd problem, like any other machine, but I always had the GMC lathe attached to a strong base and bolted to the ground. I believe this alone has saved me lots of common problems and unnecessary vibrations/movements. Pushed beyond the manufacturer recommendations and the "believed" safety boundaries, this machine is still today fully functional and properly mounted as a back-up, beside the Nova 1624-44 upgrade since August last year. Before I make any comparisons, I should say that, the GMC lathe with a Nova G3 chuck is an improvement of 1,000%.
The new Nova 1624-44 lathe, is obviously a much better machine as one would expect for the cost of near eighteen (18) GMC's. Nevertheless, and as lubbing5cherubs so truthfully stated, you get god and bad machines, irregardless of brand or cost. My Nova was no different either, with some poor decisions made on the processing line (factory) and questionable QC, causing some unnecessary repairs (warranty) in within the first couple of months. I suppose, one of the most irritating realities and result of having a new machine with a problem, is the excessive time that it takes to have it back in working order. Apart from some of these common problems, the Nova 1624-44 is a good investment compared with it's "bigger sister" DVR XP, and most of similar quality lathes, in today's Market. Can you do better?, you sure can...!:wink:

Just as a point of interest, and to give some deserving credit to a machine that so many hate, for the wrong reasons (exceptions do apply!), my $99 old GMC lathe was my only back-up while I was waiting (twice) for the new Nova be fixed, and after the G3 chuck was re-installed on it, I was glad that I had it. It maybe took a few extra steps to complete a piece, compared with the Nova but, on any or all the pieces I've turned on the GMC while waiting (they were more than a few!), I couldn't have achieve any better quality or finish so, maybe lathe brand/price or size, is not all its needed, some turning time/experimenting/patience & experience are a more determining factor, I believe!. Ideally is optimum, when both are achieve, machine/tools quality and know-how!:D
PS: Some good quality timber, does help...!:)

Sorry, I just had to bring these old pics, and as someone once said, is no such thing as "the wrong way" with wood turning, you have either "the easy way" or "the hard way"...!:o:doh::q

Cheers:2tsup:
RBTCO

[chrisb691]

After RBTCO's post, I will never again say a bad thing about GMC lathes. :2tsup:

[Stuart]

Definitely where I got started from as well, although many would (rightly) claim that I haven't progressed much further!

I downsized though - got a Jet Mini to replace it. I'd like a larger lathe as well, at some stage.

If it wasn't for the GMC, I'd be surprised if I had a lathe even now. Actually, if it wasn't for the GMC lathe, I might not be WOODWORKING now!

I needed a bench for the lathe, so bought a Triton saw, then a WC2000, then a router table, then.........

Getting the GMC lathe as a wedding present set the road in concrete - didn't know it then, and if my wife knew it then, I guess we would have attended my Uncle's funeral rather than our wedding!!!

I sold the GMC lathe about 6 months back - had it for something like 6 years. Turned plenty of pens!

[madcraft]

G'day fellow forumites.

There has been a lot of "for and against" opinions regarding the el cheapo GMC lathe. But, I thought it would be very interesting to find out how many turners out there got the bug after purchasing aforementioned lathe.
I will be the first to say that the GMC was responsible for what is now an addiction to turning. I got mine via a fathers day gift voucher from my kids and used it for about 12 months. I have since upgraded to a MC1100 and it is like comparing chalk and cheese. Having said that, I would like to upgrade even further to a more rock solid lathe, EG stubby:p, vicmarc:p, Well you get my drift. Maybe one day:(
Anyway, how many of you started out with the GMC and have moved on to bigger and better lathes.

Cheers
Shorty

Hi all

Not a GMC a Dynalink instead , still using it while I decide on a good upgrade , thats affordable to SWMBO apart from some body grubscrews letting go and needing to be replaced I've had no troubles
not bad for a $20 garage sale buy

Cheers
Glenn

[SawDustSniffer]

i started with a DinaLink lathe , $100 second hand , same tubing frame as a GMC before up grading to a Nova DVR , XP

my old lathe now sports 3 wet grind stones and a wooden buff,:2tsup:

I got asked last week to go around and look at a lathe for sale , sure enough it was a GMC , told him he might get $25 for it , the next day i showed him how to turn a pen , i think he might catch the bug

[Ashes]

I didn't start with a GMC but instead Groggy's 2nd hand MC900. I'm having an absolute ball turning big pieces of crappy wood into small useless bowls/boxes/pens etc.

This is my first lathe and I guess one step up from the GMC. Best thing about starting low like this is that you can produce some nice shiny trinkets that SWMBO actually thinks are pretty good. Makes the possibility of an upgrade easier down the line.

When I got the MC900 it was more to see if I would enjoy turning. After a couple of successes and quite a few failures (which I call learning experiences...) I think I'm pretty hooked on it.

If only I could learn the easy way to do it instead of the hard way everytime!

[artme]

RBTC are you sure you haven't done a Veronica nude photo shoot to get that pic?:D:D:D

Looks too good to be true.

[robutacion]

RBTC are you sure you haven't done a Veronica nude photo shoot to get that pic?:D:D:D

Looks too good to be true.

Yeah, sure, if I had done a Veronica nude photo shoot, the pics would be a lot better than that...!:D

My comments are correct and the pictures are also very real. I did start a thread then (couple of years ago:?) under my old forum name, about this job and piece, I've done a few more after this one, not much smaller either. I probably should remind GMC lathe users that does pay to get the original bearings replaced, before everything gets to "wonky". Replace them is good, replaced them with the best the money can buy, was the best $75 I ever spent. Still is a good price for a lathe $99 + $75 = $174 :).
I should also remind people that, through the years GMC has had they lathes manufactured by many different people and places (Countries). I'm aware that, depending on the manufacture year and depending from were (State store), you get it from, the quality of the steel, weldings, castings, motor, electrics, bearings, etc., varies quite significantly. Looking more closely, you will find lots of differences between them, colour, frame positioning and bracings, steel size, etc., etc.,etc..

Anyway, I agree, I got a good one, and I've made some yearly modifications, adjustments that did increase significantly its working life and durability, none of them changed the original appearance at all.

I'm adding some more original pics from the WIP of this piece on the GMC lathe:roll:

Cheers:2tsup:
RBTCO

[gottawoody]

i to could easily turn a large piece like that too.But i prefer my work piece to spin a bit faster than 20rpm.
With the rpm slowed right down to get as much torque as possible and another 3 hours of 60grit paper finishing with 240grit anything is possible, even a child could could do it.
But please, woodturning is about skill with chisel work, not skill with sandpaper.
Anyone who has used a real woodlathe could not possibly praise GMC for this disgusting attempt at producing a lathe. Are trying to convince us or yourself that your $175 purchase was worthwhile, dont be foolish.

[Stuart]

Shame you have such a narrow opinion there gottawoody. That is the main reason I haven't bothered joining any wood turning club.

I'm not claiming that the GMC is a good lathe - don't think anyone here is, but if you bothered to read the posts, it is a recognised fact that a number of woodworkers have discovered the pleasures of turning because such a cheap lathe is available so they can give turning a try without significant outlay.

My uncle made a beautiful, huge dining table (and I mean huge - no idea how many it can sit, but 12 is probably an underestimation). All the legs are turned, and he did it with a home made construction, powered by an electric drill. And I guarantee he didn't sand it down from 60 grit. Made his own chisels too from what I gathered. It isn't the quality of the tool that you own, but the skill with which you yield it.

My pet hate is people who like my photos, who immediately say "wow, nice photo - you must have an amazing camera" Ever tried telling a chef that is a wonderful meal - you must have an awesome oven? Same too I would imagine for a wood turner. To degrade their efforts by claiming that they either must have had a quality lathe to achieve it, or 'cheated' with sandpaper at a child's level of skill is imho, pretty rude.

And fwiw, the GMC lathe doesn't run at 20 RPM. It doesn't have a lot of power, granted, so you need more skill with your chisels to get a good result than on a quality lathe.

[AUSSIE]

I'm with you Stu:2tsup::2tsup:

[ficfac]

Well put Stu!:2tsup:

[robutacion]

i to could easily turn a large piece like that too.But i prefer my work piece to spin a bit faster than 20rpm.
With the rpm slowed right down to get as much torque as possible and another 3 hours of 60grit paper finishing with 240grit anything is possible, even a child could could do it.
But please, woodturning is about skill with chisel work, not skill with sandpaper.
Anyone who has used a real woodlathe could not possibly praise GMC for this disgusting attempt at producing a lathe. Are trying to convince us or yourself that your $175 purchase was worthwhile, dont be foolish.

Hi everyone,

Thanks Stuart, for your reply on gottawoody's provocative post. Your response is quite correct and I agree to the points you made.

<TABLE class=tborder id=post782502 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff 1px solid; BORDER- #ffffff 0px solid; BORDER- #ffffff 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff 0px solid" width=175>Now to gottawoody (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/member.php?u=27236)<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_782502", true); </SCRIPT> , http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon1.gif Woodfast lathe & 12" jeffwood thicknesser & jelutong blocks
<HR style="COLOR: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I'm am closing my HatBlock workshop in Bayswater Victoria this week and these item must go asap.


I can understand your frustration on you losing your workshop, but make
no mistake, that doesn't give you the right of being a har$$hole to me or pi$$ing on "others" trees. Wrong "tree" mate!
Seriously...!:no:

PS: I'm sorry if this sounds a bit harsh to you but, your comments are incorrect, uncalled for, bluntly rude, and totally unnecessary so, this is my best response possible due to the circumstances!
</TD><TD class=alt1 id=td_post_782502 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff 1px solid">

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Cheers:2tsup:
RBTCO

[percy seadog]

I really must give my thoughts on the issue of GMC type lathes. I have been hovering around this site for many years learning, only recently joining. During that time my work in construction took me travelling and I was able to take my lathe with me, bolted on a large plank and when set up was weighted down with sand bags. And I have met a lot of others working in a similar situation either because of travel or economics.

I firmly believe this lightweight lathe honed my tool presentation skills, sharpening skills and as many in this discussion have mentioned I became adamant not to finish works off with sandpaper, use the tools until the finish is what you can best achieve then use 600 onwards. I also believe it to be a safer lathe to learn on, a dig in stalls the machine, no high speed, high H.P. dig ins with potentially serious outcomes.

Not travelling so much now and have acquired a Vicmark VL200. Smooth, quiet, faster and just beautiful to use but I know my satisfaction in the VL200 is in a big way the result of my early training on the "lesser" GMC type. And I don't think I am alone in this.

The old lathe has now been cut down and retired to a sanding and buffing machine and is still giving great service.

[thefixer]

Hmmmm, looks like I opened up a can of worms with starting this thread. Oh well it adds to the nights entertainment:rolleyes:

Cheers
Shorty.

[robutacion]

Hmmmm, looks like I opened up a can of worms with starting this thread. Oh well it adds to the nights entertainment:rolleyes:

Cheers
Shorty.

G'day mate,

I don't think that at all, you've made a vary valid statement, you just requested people to validate the questions if they felt that they were part of the "fact".

It is good that sometimes people go back a step and think what brought them to the present situation, this means in relation to wood turning...!:doh:.
I don't believe that neither of us get any sales commission from GMC so, our opinions are purely free of "conflict of interests".

GMC, with their introduction in Australia, did allow many of us to buy and experiment with tools and machinery, that many would only dream. Some tools do work some don't, mainly when expensive tools reproductions are made to fill the demand. I'm no different, I had GMC tools that didn't worth the cardboard box they came in, while others did exceed my expectations. The investment necessary to purchase tools from this affordable Brand, end-up paying itself many times over in the end, irregardless if was a tool left after you completed the job. This is why people buy $20 drills with 100 accessories with it, $99 wood lathes ready to go, etc., etc..
Is good that we all have this choice...!:D

Cheers:2tsup:
RBTCO

[Christopha]

Well, while "gottawoody" comes across as perhaps having his hand on his woody I tend to agree somewhat. In my humble opinion the entry level machines are the likes of the MC900 etc as they have the basic equipment level of much higher end machionery. The morse tapers, the common thread sizes, tool rest strength etc etc. When equipping an MC type chucks tools etc tend to also be more suited to the higher end machine. Perhaps not many folk would use a cheap set of carbon steel tools on a Stubby or some nice high speed P&N tools on a GMC? I think that these machines also are easier to sell on when upgrading and also, being far sturdier than the GMC and its' ilk more encouraging for the newchum to use and experiment with... safer!
Anyway, that's my two bobs worth.... shoot me now!

[switt775]

Anyway, that's my two bobs worth.... shoot me now!

An old friend once told me that it's quite alright to disagree... without being disagreeable. :2tsup: Which is what you have done, but that "other person" failed to do.

Yes, the MC900 type machines are a much better investment, for all the reasons you listed. And if you check the threads, you will find that most of those who started with GMC recommend that a new turner try to skip that painful stage, and either look for a good second hand unit or save for an MC900. But for many a starting point of $500 or so is too much of a gamble. What if I don't really like it? I've wasted $500 for nothing.

So GMC allows you to get started for under $200. That includes a very dodgy set of tools, and a grinder (which you need every few minutes to sharpen those very dodgy tools).

If you find you don't enjoy it, you still have a grinder. :U If you do enjoy it, you find a way to move up to a better (some would say REAL) lathe, and with time may even develop some affection for that cheap lathe you started with.

[Stuart]

And at the end of the day, you don't feel bad when you get a 'real' lathe, and toss the GMC in the bin, having served its purpose! (Ok, I didn't actually throw it in the bin, but sold it for next to nothing, which is almost the same thing).

[BobL]

It isn't the quality of the tool that you own, but the skill with which you yield it.

That's why I like this forum, you are judged by what you do with what you have - not what you own, or what you say, or what you say you were going to do, or what you would do. It's also the reason I stopped frequenting other forums. If someone posts a "hot something" made within reason using a stump and a blunt axe - I tips me hat - much more than it they made it using a $10k automated machine. If they're fibbing either sooner or later they will be found out.

[woodwork wally]

Yep I started with a GMC bought for $40.00 unused:) I made a few tools like the old grandad used to do [you know the thick -heavy old files ground smooth shaped annealed to be safe then hardened and tempered ] Put handles on them that I turned on the lathe using an ordinary wood chisel that I had skew sharpened. 4 of those tools are still used occasionally :2tsup:. the GMC went to a worker a M.10 who was about to buy a new one [MONEY BACK]:2tsup::2tsup:and I picked up an mc1100 from a club member and since bought a carbatec midsize [Ive had more strife with that in 5 months than the GMC over 3 Years . YES I started with a GMC and it is 100 % responsible for my addiction so please dont hang crap on them .PS. I kept that BLOODY CHUCK. its good for breaking knuckles and OFFCENTRE turning. so if you see someone buying a GMC dont can it :no::no:Just feel sorry for the poor bugger:C cos he is 99% chance of ending up like the rest of us ADDICTED:oo: also RBTCO beautifull work on your old girl you must have had her bolted down too:U Cheers to all WW>WALLY

[Heathen574]

Huh, I feel better about getting one tomorrow night then. the addiction i can handle (lack of funds will see to that). but for myself (beginner) does seem perfect. Just need to get the 4 jaw chuck as well.

[BernieP]

G'Day Heathen574

Go ahead and get your GMC, I was given one when first getting back on my feet after surgery, 3 years ago and best gift I was ever given as it not only got me hooked, but helped me to recuperate also. I still have it and like others use it as a sanding disk.
I wouldn't worry too much about "hasntgotathingy" or what ever his name is, will probably move onto another forum where he's more at home.

Cheers
Bernie

[Christopha]

Just a wee thought: What if the "Know Nothing Newchum" goes to the Bundepot and thinks "This will do me to start!", buys the $99 thing and then, due to its' inadequacies is completely put off woodturning for life? If that Newby had bought a slightly better machine do you think he/she would be more inclined to do better and go further?
Just pot stirring here... ;)

[Bad Woodworker]

Hey guy's and girls, I have one of these babies in the shed (GMC Lathe) only been used a couple of times, I got it about five years ago and if someone on here is a bit hard up for cash and wants to give turning a go it's yours for nothing!! come and pick it up or you can pay for the courier, what ever, but this is not a grab for someone who has plenty but for someone who is in "genuine need" and finds it hard to save like me, I know what it's like, dont be embarrassed pm me if you like. It even comes with a cheep set of turning tools.
BW.

[benja]

Im surprised no-one has talked much about cheap tools. Saw a complete set of 8 at Super cheap auto for about $30 on the weekend. Really short and cheap looking steel, but i reckon if you can twist up something half decent with a GMC and SCA tools, you are going to crap all over someone with the best gear who can only make average things. Anyone ever wondered why lathes get sold second hand? Because people dont have the skills or patience to master them.

[Heathen574]

well, got the lathe, managed to score free 4 jaw chuck with it at bunnings.

And regarding the off putting of new people, i think to actually spend the money and get it most must understand its limitations on quality or lifespan. then theres always luck.

Luck can do things most can only dream of.

[thefixer]

well, got the lathe, managed to score free 4 jaw chuck with it at bunnings.

And regarding the off putting of new people, i think to actually spend the money and get it most must understand its limitations on quality or lifespan. then theres always luck.

Luck can do things most can only dream of.

G'day Heathen

If that is the same as the chuck I got from bunnies with my GMC Be very careful with it. It is not self centering as does not grip timber very well at all. Almost impossible to get it centered so it's perfect for turning oval stuff. Just a heads up before you get started.

Cheers
Shorty

[thefixer]

Just a wee thought: What if the "Know Nothing Newchum" goes to the Bundepot and thinks "This will do me to start!", buys the $99 thing and then, due to its' inadequacies is completely put off woodturning for life? If that Newby had bought a slightly better machine do you think he/she would be more inclined to do better and go further?
Just pot stirring here... ;)

G'day Chrisopha

I guess it's a bit like gamblers, you only hear of their wins and not their losses. Same as the GMC, you will only get responses from those of us who have started out this way and moved on to gigger and better things. I wonder how many of these lathes are sitting unused and rusting in sheds all over the world.:rolleyes:

Cheers
Shorty

[Bad Woodworker]

As mentioned in a previous post, I have one in the shed you can have for free and I'll even chuck in a set of tools. Check my previous post for instructions, I'll do you a swap if you have something you don't use,"What ever". :)
BW.

[madcraft]

As mentioned in a previous post, I have one in the shed you can have for free and I'll even chuck in a set of tools. Check my previous post for instructions, I'll do you a swap if you have something you don't use,"What ever". :)
BW.


BW

Pm sent about my mate with Cancer

Cheers
Glenn

[Bad Woodworker]

Hey guys and girls, (read previous entries!!) who can get this gift to Graves End, It's about two thirds of the way to Moree from Armidale (2hours drive), there's always a lot of traffic going this way,someone must know "someone" perhaps whose in the courier business or someone might be going that way anyway, c'mon lets make this happen!!!
Lets make someone feel a little bit better even if It's just for a moment.
C'mon.
BW.

[Ed Reiss]

Hi All...

Not being from your part of the world, I am not familiar with the GMC (certainly not the car company!!??) lathe. However from the description and pictures it looks not much different than a Sears Craftsman lathe that I "started" on many years ago. Granted that it wasn't exactly the most precision piece of equipment on the block, but I had a lot of fun making wood blocks into something else and some of those "something else's" actually wound up into craft shows (foolish jurors that let me participate)) that (smart) buyers actually bought. Later on I bought a Shopsmith which was somewhat a step up from the Craftsman (but not much!) which also served me well.

Many years later I finally upgraded to a Nova 1500 that still serves me well to this day and I'm still having fun with turning......guess the point I'm trying to make is this: it doesn't matter what kind of lathe you have, it's what you make do with it that counts.

Just my "2 cents" worth.:rolleyes:

[joe greiner]

I've restrained myself from commenting here, because I've agreed with almost everything said, except for a couple pot-stirrers (and damn fine pot-stirrers they were!). So I'll just reinforce the thread.

If you're prone to the addiction, I reckon you could become infected just by watching a Ferris wheel. My first almost-a-lathe was a bench-top drill press. I didn't realise it could be laid on its back, and that alone should have cured me. My second almost-a-lathe was/is a modified heavy duty hand drill, which I mounted on a plank. The trigger switch was shot to L, and I replaced that with an ordinary wall switch. It's shown set up for turning birdhouse earrings (Search in Woodturning-General), although I do most of them on my second real lathe.

My first real lathe was an antique Delta (1929) purchased at a garage sale for about US$90, several years ago. The seller suggested our local woodturning club, but I demurred because work duties precluded serious activity. Most of the time, the lathe stood on end in a closet, with occasional forays to a makeshift outdoor workbench, with dismounting afterwards for preservation. That didn't cure me either. When I moved to my current residence, I made a more durable outdoor workbench, but still had the bother of moving the lathe each way. I joined the WT club, and presented a few of my "art" works for Show'n'Tell. The Delta pretty much bought the farm when I attempted to turn my second (or thereabouts) cross-grain bowl with a spindle roughing gouge. (NOT recommended) The cast-iron faceplate, as well as the cast-iron banjo, both shattered. I modified a V-groove pulley into a substitute faceplate, and a mate welded a substitute banjo (shown with the BDlathe). Even THAT didn't cure me.

My second, and current, real lathe is a Harbor Freight 34706 - substantially identical to the MC900. It's served me well for close to two years, in spite of a few dramas. My next lathe may well be a Powermatic 3520B (Mustard Monster), like WWF member Gil Jones recently bought; when/if I solve my shop's sliding-block puzzle. Hard to tell, though: I'm also contemplating a jumbo vertical-axis lathe mounted between two trees, driven by (maybe) a lawn-mower engine.

A few "tool snobs" suggest buying your last lathe first. Nope, I don't think I could have afforded that. I can't easily regret my late entry to the game, and the wayback machine is still a dreamer's fantasy.

Bottom line: GO FOR IT. And let the devil take the hindmost.

I apologise for making this so long; I don't have time to make it shorter. (Quoted from Isaac Newton, or somebody like that.)

Joe

[Robomanic]

Well said Joe,

Can't believe someone else survived (and admitted to) coming up through the ranks on such equipment... It is just the way I started out and do not regret it one bit. I started with a SHER system that could be converted from lathe to mini saw table and horizontal borer for dowling. It spent most of its time as a lathe until I moved up to a light-weight Ryobi which sounds just like the GMC described here.
You could not engage the spur drive even in pine by winding up the tailstock because the headstock would just flex back - creak - creak.

That was the way it stayed for 10 years until last weekend I went down and picked up a mc-1100 from Hare and Forbes.

- WOW -

Of course it is still modest and I'm not pretending its a machine that you would run 24/7. It could be more accurate but it is packed with features and is nice and solid.

I think if I had not learned the hard way I would not be enjoying it as much as I am now/ I did have a set of chisles that had good steel in them and could keep an edge which I hold higher than having extra power at your disposal. As pretty as a boxed set looks, a good skew and bowl gauge and parting off tool will take you a long way so I recommend spending a bit of money in this area.

For me the bottom line is that money is often a limitation and if you are stating out then you need to think about Lathe, chisles, chuck and sharpening. Spreading your money accross as many features as you can will probably lead to greater flexibility in the pieces you can work on. They may take a bit longer and the poor lathe may stall a bit as your confidence grows but at least you have a foot in the door and it will likely lead to greater things.

Happy turning - especialy to those who are just getting hooked. :)

[wands]

Thanks to all the contributors of this thread, a most enjoyable read has been had.

I personally joined a woodturning club, and constantly heard wait till you can afford a 'decent' lathe. Bugger that in the end, got too impatient, went and bought a MC1018 for $200. Cheap tools however do allow numb-nuts like myself to give things a whirl and get sucked in very quickly. I started out with a Triton setup, quickly got hooked and have never looked back since.

I had been trying to build myself a lathe, but it is taking too long, thus I bought gotawoody's Woodfast bowl lathe (M400), which is in pretty ordinary condition. I have also just purchased on ebay a VSD rated upto 1.5kW for it, bargain at $270 delivered, well I hope it is and please don't tell me if it is not a bargain (they sell these at around $750). I may get a 2hp motor at a later stage - that's another $250. The tailstock is not original, homemade, which does not line up, around 4mm too low and +-1mm off-centre, so if you have an original lying around, as I am sure everyone has got one or two, and I've loaned mine to my brother in law, let me know.

I did pick up a MC900 along the way, was going to use the bed for my home-made lathe, for $60, thus if anyone wants to take it off my hands for that price, please let me know. The mount for the motor is broken, thus you will need to weld it back together. Other than that, all else is fine.

Cheers and Enjoy, Steve

[coffenup]

I had gmc to start with I enjoyed it I also learnt alot I also miss it some times but my new lathe alows me to do thinner & larger turnings. but my old gme went to another new learner to try to get addicted to these hobbie. He got a better lathe as I fixed most of the probs I had he also got chucks & chisels. Hope he enjoys using it as much as I did.
Regards Michael

[Rum Pig]

First I will say there is nothing wrong with starting at the bottom and working your way up:)
I joined what you could call a woodturning club and learnt how to turn for 12 months before I bought my first lathe witch is the same one I have today and that was a Leady:D. Witch was the best lathe that I could afford at the time and I was lucky that I could afford it and had the wisdom of Ian to go through the pros and cons of the different lathes that were within my budget. Had I not have met Ian and turned for a year first I would have bought a GMC I was already looking at them every time I went to Bunnings. I think that anyone who can turn something on a GMC should be very proud of yourself and you can properly get better results than me at the moment because It comes down to the operator not the machine:2tsup:

I hope I have made sense and not offended anyone the main thing is we all just love turning:D:2tsup::U