What Lathe ?

[Unwise]

As a 'hobby' woodturner wishing to 'expand my horizons' I am wanting to get a new lathe to replace the old (adapted ex-metal lathe) one donated many years ago.

I have found that the more I look, the more confused I become.

A Vicmarc VL200 or 300 seems to be the way to go, but is it necessary to spend all that money, or can I get a 'good' machine for less.

Out there in 'Woodturner's land' there are many various machines that their owners are very pleased with and, I'm sure, some that their owners are not so pleased with.

Please, be kind to and old UNWISE bloke and share some of your stories to help me in my decision making.


(Please hurry, at my age, I'm running out of time)

[wheelinround]

Unwise can you wait 5<object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,19,0" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="40" height="25">

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Your answer could be walking away with a new lathe

http://www.workingwithwood.com.au/adelaide/index.htm

Much depends on what, how big, how long and most of all $$$$$ you want to spend.

[DJ’s Timber]

Have you not being returning to the other posts or threads that you have started to check up on comments left in there, looks like you're repeating yourself over (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=815333#post815333) and over (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=814951#post814951).

Of the three you listed in the other thread, they are all very good lathes.

The Vicmarc would be the top of the line with the Woodfast and the Teknatool coming in not very far behind the Vicmarc.

You need to look at what you're wanting to turn and what sort of dollars you're wanting to spend, but as wheelin has said, get yourself off to the show next weekend and have a look at all 3 in the flesh.