Thread: Which lathe?

there is a YouTube video from an Aussie that I not long ago viewed and it explains all you need to know about your lathe purchase.

Look up a local wood turning club, head on down and say hi. There will most likely be pen turners there and would (I'm sure) be happy to chew your ear off with information, stories and pitfalls to look out for.

Originally Posted by DiRob

there is a YouTube video from an Aussie that I not long ago viewed and it explains all you need to know about your lathe purchase.

At a guess I would think it is Brendan Stemp who DiRob might be referring to and Brendan is also a member of the forum.

It would be good to view his video as he discusses in a broader lathe selection not concentrating on one aspect of wood turning.

I am a little bit hesitant in commenting on certain lathes specific for pen turning as this is the path/thoughts that I started on. It didn't take long before I wanted a bigger lathe to enable me to make bigger things. The original lathe was one that I rebuilt(not that hard just a bit of time) and the next one, I purchased specific for larger pieces.

I only have the one lathe as I am able to make smaller items as well as larger pieces.

If you are new to wood turning I might suggest looking at joining a club. I see that your location is Sydney you could look at these websites.

Sydney Wood Turners Guild
Sydney Woodturners Guild Inc.
There are 6 affiliated clubs. I am a member of Eastern.


Western Sydney Woodturners
www.westernsydneywoodturners.com

Or you could look at the Mens Shed
Home | Men's Sheds Australia | Support | Community | Health

And of course this forum where we do enjoy looking at what people make.

I use a GPW Midi lathe for my penturning, I am happy with it.
The Woodfast Midi is also highly regarded. If you can afford the extra for variable speed, it is well worth it.

If you can afford a VicMark Variable Speed Midi Lathe, get that. Amos

Thank you for all the thoughts so far!

DiRob and Christos (and for those reading this in the future) - I think I found the video you refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuWuZnQuXgA Thank you, that is proving to be quite useful!

To everyone who has kindly shared their thoughts and information to date - many thanks indeed! Please do keep them coming, if there is further information, as I'm now voraciously reading these links/videos, and delving further from there.

Christos, thank you for the suggestion of getting into a turning group, hopefully we will bump into each other around those traps soon!

Midi Lathe Mods and set-up WIP
Midi Lathe suggestions.
Not sure if you have searched out any old threads, but here is one that I started when I was researching for my buy, and one with some pics of how I set it up. I converted a 6 speed model to VS, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by buying it already set up.

Thank you Ironwood, your two links led to much reading, more understanding, some further head scratching, and yet more options - all of which is a good thing!

I'm going to put this here for feedback and commentary, noting that I haven't seen commentary on this lathe yet: https://www.carbatec.com.au/woodturn...the-1-x-10-tpi

Here are some (not necessarily all) features that appeal/I think I need:

- Electronic Variable Speed, and a good range of rotation speeds
- Decent weight, won't "walk" across the workbench as easily as others
- #2 morse taper

Am I on the right track? Moreover, does anyone have thoughts or opinions on this brand & quality? I will note many here have said Vicmarc - I believe you all, but the reality is this is a hobby, and I have no real way of selling the pens, and as a result, the cost justification for the Vicmarc isn't quite there.

Seems my previously typed post went to the never-never >.<

Rereating here as best as I can recall... Ironwood, thank you for your valuable links, these led to considerably more reading, linking, head scratching and penny dropping this evening

On that note, having done some digging around, I came across this lathe: https://www.carbatec.com.au/woodturn...the-1-x-10-tpi

It seems - based on my limited knowledge, to tick a few boxes (the few I understand, anyway!):

- It's a decent weight, so it's less likely to "walk" across the workbench when in use.
- It uses a #2 Morse taper - this I understand is good for compatibility
- It has electronic speed control, and what seems a decent range of speeds.

Has anyone experience with this brand of lathe, their quality and reliability? I would be most interested to hear... and whilst I hear, agree, and respect the advice to get a Vicmarc, the cost of a Vicmark with the comparable "on paper" features would run to more cost that I was planning on - I doubt I will have a way to sell any pens I produce, so couldn't count on any income coming in to offset the expenses here - this I am looking at purely as a hobby and a "fun to do" thing.

You're certainly on the right track for your list of wants. I was in a similar boat a few years ago starting out - except I hadn't found this forum yet....
I have a jet 1220 (manual speed change). Now available from carbatec. In my experience it is a great little lathe, not too pricey and perfect for me to dip my toes I'm the water. I bought the stand with it so could bolt it down to the ground. At the moment I have 4 bags of concrete over the feet rather than bolting it down.

If I was doing it again I would go for a variable speed, and probably look at the woodfast. The main reason for this is the spindle on the headstock (jet is 1x8tpi I think woodfast is 30x3.5 which has more standard accessories) and I think their tool post is a standard 30mm which has more options as well.

Someone else may chime in with more product knowledge but that would be my couple of additions to your list that would be worth thinking about.

Hope this helps

Gab

have a look at today's market there is a vic marc for a good price if you are at that location.

This is the lathe DiRob mentioned Vicmarc VL150 0.55kw for sale
If you have the funds it would be a great buy and much better option than a Chinese lathe .

Thank you to everyone who has read through, and replied to this thread - I'm increasingly becoming aware, and appreciative of a great community here, where, unlike so many other sections of the Internet, and indeed society as a whole, people here take time out to help others, share knowledge and information with no thought of anything in it for themselves, and I'm extremely glad I found these forums and this community - thank you all.

A little "good news" story emerges from this thread, which I think is worthwhile sharing. Because of the valuable information posted here, combined with the experience and wise advice of folks who know a lot about these things, I was made aware of a member of the community wanting to sell a lathe (this one, in fact: Vicmarc VL150 0.55kw for sale).

With the thoughts of those who posted in this thread, and the reading and learning I have been able to do because of the links and thoughts shared here, I was confident in making the decision to purchase this lathe - a fantastic outcome all around, I think.

All I can do for now is say "thank you". As I progress down the journey of learning more about woodworking, and gain some experience myself, I hope to some day be able to pay these kindnesses forward, and look forward to being part of this wonderful community and doing so in the years to come.

You have got yourself a good lathe there, congratulations.
It will be much better than the brush motor VS that you were looking at.