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LiliB
2nd November 2008, 10:40 AM
Hi Woodturners
LOML wants to make small toys and other things that would be helped by being able to turn pieces. He's working on a series of antique trucks and cars, and things like lights could be turned, rather than shaped by hand.He generally uses a scroll saw, but with rounded 3D shapes,etc, a mini wood lathe would come in handy.

I have looked around, plus checked old threads, but have not come up with aclear notion of what to buy to suit this use.

I have seen the Proxxon mini lathe, but the price worries me. It seems too cheap to be any good. I was told by an old expert in machinery that the smaller the lathe, the more intricate the engineering, and therefore the more expensive.

Can anyone help with suggestions? Does anyone have first hand experience of the Proxxon products? I have the impression that the Proxxon products generally have significant vibration problems.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am thinking of buying a lathe for his birthday in January, if I can afford it.

Cheers
LiliB :U:U:U

DJ’s Timber
2nd November 2008, 10:52 AM
A link to the lathe you're thinking of would help.

Woodfast Midi Lathe (http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/shopfront/view_product_details?category_id=1107146613&product_id=1107452489) is good value and gets favourable reviews here on the forum, same for the Leda
(http://ledamachinery.com.au/catalogue/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=65&osCsid=a1faa651ad6fa84872a7430a9df43843)
Vicmarc VL100 (http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/shopfront/view_product_details?category_id=1107146804&product_id=1107453950) is also a very good quality lathe if not the best of the lot but pricey

Manuka Jock
2nd November 2008, 10:57 AM
Hi LilliB ,
I have no experience of mini lathes ,
but I hazard a guess , that sooner rather that later , the wee one will get a bigger sibling :D

I see that Proxxon mini lathes also come in the metal turning variety too .
I shall keep that in mind , thanks for the pointer :)
cheers ,
Jock

LiliB
2nd November 2008, 11:37 AM
Hi DJ and Jock

Looking at the VicMark VL100, I think this is really what I would elect to buy, if I were still a working woman, rather than being forced into early retirement. I don't think that if there is such a price difference between Leda and others of its type, and the VicMark it is because Mr.VicMark is simply greedy. I have found with most electrical equipment, you get what you pay for.

It looks like I might be best to wait until we can afford the Rolls Royce.

Regards
LiliB
:U:U:U

DJ’s Timber
2nd November 2008, 11:40 AM
The differences is a lot more than just the electrics, the bearing set up and casting quality plus the workmanship play a huge part here as well with the Vicmarc compared to the others :;

LiliB
2nd November 2008, 12:12 PM
I realize that. The whole of the engineering is quite different with better machines. Tolerances are better, material is of higher grade, components used are first grade, and the machine should last longer and keep the integrity of its factory settings much better.

The only reason I asked about the Proxxon, is because they appear to specialize in small equipment for model/toy makers with everything from mini wood and metal lathes, mini thicknessers and mini saws. The firm is German, and generally German specialist makers tend to produce reasonable stuff, however, the price does not suggest we are dealing with Festool, Fein, Hegner and that class of equipment.

If the Proxxon is workable, it might be a means of testing out whether a mini-lathe is as handy as we think for what he is making. In future, if this is so, we could always upgrade to a real quality machine. I hesitate to invest too large a sum of money on a product I am not sure of how much usage it will get. When I bought the scrollsaw I went straight to Hegner, and it made sense because he has taken to this machine so well that he spends every spare moment in the shed with it. Also, with a beginner in any area of woodworking, there needs to be an optimum level of quality in the machine being used. If not, a student can become disheartened, not because of his lack of talent, but because the equipment does not live up to what he needs as he develops skill.

LiliB
:U:U:U

Ed Reiss
2nd November 2008, 12:23 PM
Iv'e used a Carbatec Mini for over ten years now, modified the motor to a 1/6hp job. Plenty of power and it's served me well

jefferson
2nd November 2008, 12:28 PM
Lilli,

I've got a variable speed Vicmarc VL100, plus a 6 speed Delta midi lathe. I get over to Deniliquin quite a bit and would be happy to bring them both over for you to look at and have a play. Next trip over is late November, probably 24th. All we'd need is a little bench-space.

I've got a chuck for the VL100 which is handy, but not for the Delta. That said, the Delta has an extension bed and I had no worries turning redgum mallets on it 3-4 inches round.

Jeff

LiliB
2nd November 2008, 01:02 PM
Hi Jeff
I never cease to be delighted at how marvellous woodies are. The generosity of spirit makes me marvel.

David is most excited by the prospect of seeing something like this in the flesh. We would be delighted if you could come and show us these machines.

When you can confirm definitely if the 24th is on, I'll send you a PM with details of where we are.

Cheers and thanks in anticipation
LiliB :U:U

jefferson
2nd November 2008, 01:22 PM
LiliB,

Another option is for me to set the lathes up in my brother's shed in central Deni. He has a 6 speed Woodfast full size lathe with most of the trimmings. We could set the three lathes up and have a play, I'm sure there'd be no problems with my brother.

That way, you get to see what the options are.

Please remind me close to the 24th so I don't forget!

And I know the VL100 is expensive but it sure is nice.

I'll also bring my tools over. says I have a tool collection problem which is probably right. But you will benefit from seeing what you can buy.

Jeff

LiliB
2nd November 2008, 01:48 PM
Sounds like Heaven, Jeff. It's a date.

LiliB

wheelinround
3rd November 2008, 12:06 PM
LiliB is talking about this type of lathe gentleman wood lathe (http://www.emachinetool.com/new/catalog/single.cfm?DestinationCategory=Mini%20Lathe&ProductID=873)or could be this metal Lathe (http://www.emachinetool.com/new/catalog/single.cfm?ProductID=717%5D)

LiliB
3rd November 2008, 12:22 PM
Hi Wheelinround

You got it in one. The Proxxon wood lathe pictured is the one I was speaking about.
Your site gives a more detailed description than the one I saw.

Tell me, how does one create a link? It's such a useful thing to know. The old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words is as true as ever.

LiliB
:U:U:U

DJ’s Timber
3rd November 2008, 04:17 PM
Tell me, how does one create a link? It's such a useful thing to know. The old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words is as true as ever.


Here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=42401) you go :2tsup:

LiliB
3rd November 2008, 05:17 PM
Hi DJ

Thank you kindly sir. I can now express myself a little bit better.

LiliB
:U:U:U

jefferson
3rd November 2008, 05:47 PM
LiliB,

I did a flying visit to Deni today to my brother's place. No problems at all using his shed to demo the Delta midi and the VL 100.

At least you'll be able to see the difference between drives etc and variable speed. Plus the benefits of decent chucks. Must get my parting off skills up to speed.

Should be in Deni on the 24th, will stay the night so that evening would be great.

Also, there is at least one second hand VL100 kicking around. Check the sell/swap section, I don't think it will last long.

Jeff

Proxxon World
28th November 2008, 11:40 PM
Hi Woodturners
I have seen the Proxxon mini lathe, but the price worries me. It seems too cheap to be any good. I was told by an old expert in machinery that the smaller the lathe, the more intricate the engineering, and therefore the more expensive.

Can anyone help with suggestions? Does anyone have first hand experience of the Proxxon products? I have the impression that the Proxxon products generally have significant vibration problems.

Cheers
LiliB :U:U:U

Hi LiliB,
The Proxxon mini woodlathe uses a clever aluminium extrusion for the bed, has a nice adjustable tailstock (you can get a small chuck and arbor for it), comes with 1000>5000rpm variable speed control instead of pulleys, a small faceplate, 40mm centre height. There are 3-jaw and 4-jaw chuck options (50mm). If you would like a catalog in time for Christmas, they are free: click thru to http://www.proxxon-world.com and check for product # 27020. Any queries, you can contact a human through the webpage.

Little-known point: it comes with a 10+mm hollow spindle and 6 collets for production work of small parts out of dowel rod.

Mark B
Proxxon World

LiliB
29th November 2008, 12:27 PM
Hi Mark

I wish I had heard from you earlier, as I have agreed to purchase the micro lathe and accessories from another outlet, which was considerably more expensive. I am convinced, however, that I have bought a good machine, and am looking forward to it enormously. Since my husband builds small objects, what you can ultimately produce with such a machine is limited only by your imagination and skill level.

I will post a short review of what we think, once we've taken it for a test drive.

Regards
LiliB
:U:U:U

Proxxon World
29th November 2008, 01:24 PM
Hi LiliB,
No matter where you purchase it, your husband will enjoy it!
You can borrow it when he's not looking. Lots of people use the Proxxon mini wood lathe for polishing work, too, either spinning the item to be polished between centres, or setting the lathe up as a buff.

Click thru to http://www.proxxon-world.com and look at the polishing set # 28312 which has 50mm soft mop, 50mm cloth buff, 50mm felt wheel, 50mm steel wire brush and 50mm brass wire brush.

All except the felt wheel have a 5mm centre bush, so you can use a 5mm arbor to hold them in the lathe's 5mm collet. Polishing paste is # 28292.

Mark B
Proxxon World

wheelinround
29th November 2008, 03:43 PM
Hi LiliB,
The Proxxon mini woodlathe uses a clever aluminium extrusion for the bed, has a nice adjustable tailstock (you can get a small chuck and arbor for it), comes with 1000>5000rpm variable speed control instead of pulleys, a small faceplate, 40mm centre height. There are 3-jaw and 4-jaw chuck options (50mm). If you would like a catalog in time for Christmas, they are free: click thru to http://www.proxxon-world.com and check for product # 27020. Any queries, you can contact a human through the webpage.

Little-known point: it comes with a 10+mm hollow spindle and 6 collets for production work of small parts out of dowel rod.

Mark B
Proxxon World

Mark thanks for this you may have swung me as well.:2tsup: