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Thread: Lathe Decisions

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    geelong
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    359

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    Have turned very occasionally for many years. Started with my dads homemade lathe -baisicly a say3/4 " industrial collet on bearings and a friction tailstop with a lever action tightening. My current is something that appears to have been some kind of TAFE/ student prodgect with a quite nice head -bored through the middle of a H beam- nice and sturdy with a No2 morse taper -but not hollow for boring (even had to make a hole in the side to release the morse taper components. The tailstock is similar. But for $30 at the auction -who's arguing. The main fault is the bed -3mm steel angle -not nearly enougth (have some lengths of 6mm galvanised angle awaiting replacing and extending the bed) Only came with a 2 speed pully set up and no motor. Currently has a 1/3 HP wasing machine motor driving. Have given it 5 speeds out of my random box of V belt pullys, but I had to make 2 out of wood -self destructed after about 5 years -will use good ply next time if needed. (originals were solid oak) Have made a coincidentally handy buy from the auchions as well. Stand up drill press -just happens to have a No2 morse taper chuck so it fits either end of the lathe. At $80 was probably worth it for this alone -but it has issues.The head on mine appears to have welded stops that will let it turn 90 degrees but havent had the need.
    While I know that propper turning tools are far superior-Ihave only used makeshift things - mostly sctapers made from old dead files an chisels (need to change the angle considerably)and a few other things, but if you want to realy get into it -the propper tools are probably worth it.
    If looking at lathes get a good solid bed, good versitile head & tailstock only realy NEED hollow tailstock for lamps. More speeds the better but a reasonable range will be good (32 speeds -not needed) depending on your plans -might think about chucks and there requirements. Otherwise have fun. cheers.

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  3. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Gold Coast
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    25

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    Yes a top little lathe I was going to get one but ended up with bigger one the Laguna 1836. But yes the 1221VS is a top midi lathe.

  4. #18
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Brisbane
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    57
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fumbler View Post
    Daveman, did u buy the turning chisels that were advertised with it in the catalogue? I was just wondering if anyone killed themselves with them. That lathe was pictured with regular chisels!!
    Hahaha. No. But I did get caught out another way. As I said, a forum member warned me that there is more to buy than the lathe. I did actually heed that and did some research before buying. I found a set of chinese turning chisels that seemed a good budget choice. So I thought I could manage the costs.
    I still dithered until there was only one lathe left in my local store. Then finally decided to buy it.
    So after I bought the lathe I went to order these chisels. Only problem of course is that ALDI had probably sold a few hundred of these lathes that month and everyone had the same plan as me. Hence chisels out of stock. The supplier hadn't known this was going to happen and so new stock was going to be 6 months away.
    So I went looking 2nd hand. but
    A. being a newbie I only knew I needed a roughing gouge and a spindle gouge and not what else. and
    B. Same problem with market flooded with newbies trying to find cheap chisels.
    So had to buy what I hope are better quality chisels at a higher price. Not great but not as cheap as my 1st option. These were too much so I had to wait a few months to order these.

    Then don't even get me started on the sharpening saga. Suffice to say I eventually got too frustrated and ultimately went out and bought the Sorby belt sharpener just to put an end to my hassles. (great machine by the way).

    Only genuine bargin I really got was a face shield online.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
    My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE

  5. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Adelaide
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    66
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    54

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    Quote Originally Posted by DaveVman View Post
    Hahaha. No. But I did get caught out another way. As I said, a forum member warned me that there is more to buy than the lathe. I did actually heed that and did some research before buying. I found a set of chinese turning chisels that seemed a good budget choice. So I thought I could manage the costs.
    I still dithered until there was only one lathe left in my local store. Then finally decided to buy it.
    So after I bought the lathe I went to order these chisels. Only problem of course is that ALDI had probably sold a few hundred of these lathes that month and everyone had the same plan as me. Hence chisels out of stock. The supplier hadn't known this was going to happen and so new stock was going to be 6 months away.
    So I went looking 2nd hand. but
    A. being a newbie I only knew I needed a roughing gouge and a spindle gouge and not what else. and
    B. Same problem with market flooded with newbies trying to find cheap chisels.
    So had to buy what I hope are better quality chisels at a higher price. Not great but not as cheap as my 1st option. These were too much so I had to wait a few months to order these.

    Then don't even get me started on the sharpening saga. Suffice to say I eventually got too frustrated and ultimately went out and bought the Sorby belt sharpener just to put an end to my hassles. (great machine by the way).

    Only genuine bargin I really got was a face shield online.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

    I suppose now's not the time to mention chucks and all the various jaws to add to the collection? And remember, there is always one more chisel you need.

    BTW, I agree with you about the RS sharpener, it is a great unit, easy to use, I don't regret having bought it.

  6. #20
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Seattle, Washington, USA
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    1,857

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    Apologies if I repeat information which has been stated already.

    I firmly believe that the single most important upgrade a lathe can have is electronic variable speed with a digital readout. As far as I'm concerned the catagories are binary: Lathes with EVS and lathes without it.

    The Hafco lathes have what's called a Reeves' drive, which works based on two opposed sides of a pulley. They go together and tighten the belt to increase speed and move apart to slow down. This is an antiquated and finnicky system and is best avoided altogether in my experience.

    Among the three you've selected I would get the Nova hands down. It has EVS, is a solid lathe for its size, and their customer support is second to none (again, based on my experience).

    With that said, If you want to turn bowls, you should consider a larger lathe. Turning bowls is kind of like "chasing the dragon" in that you always want to try a bigger one and a bigger one etc. You'll get tired of turning cereal bowls quick enough and want to try a salad bowl or larger.

    For spindle turning the Nova is great. For bowls I would consider something second hand which has more swing and around 2hp.

    Good luck,
    Luke

  7. #21
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
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    10,803

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    I agree with all Luke has written. This is the reason I ended up with a Nova Saturn: EVS, direct drive, 14" over the bench and a lot more with the head turned outboard, and 2.3 hp. I purchased the bed extension for longer spindles/legs, and cast iron legs, and this combination makes it bloody heavy and solid!

    I had a professional turner friend giving it a workout a while ago, and he gave it the thumbs up.



    I built a slide away holder for the chisels. Works great ...





    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  8. #22
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Newcastle
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    1,014

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    The little comet II is sitting on my temporary-pallet-recycled-bench.

    All it needs is a cabinet constructed out of ply or mdf or melamine or semi precious metals !

    I got the grinding attachment too. Figure the little beast will always have a use in the corner of the shop, even if I decide to get something bigger...

    IMG_9439.jpg

  9. #23
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
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    3

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    Hi everyone, I have looked at all the responses with great interest as I have been bitten by the wood turning bug and was a little lost on where to start my foray into wood turning. Thank you for all your responses they have helped me formulate a list of what is required in a lathe and also to look carefully at all the additional requirements for tools, chucks etc etc. I do like the look of the Record lathe https://www.woodworkmachinery.com.au...ronic-vs-lathe If anyone has an opinion on the record lathe I would like to hear it. Thank you everyone.

  10. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    Adelaide Hills, South Australia
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    4,304

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    Quote Originally Posted by alanburton1960 View Post
    Record lathe https://www.woodworkmachinery.com.au...ronic-vs-lathe If anyone has an opinion on the record lathe I would like to hear it.
    Last year I spent ten days with some of the best woodturners in the world where two of the workshops were equipped with Record lathes like that. Many of those highly experienced turners have Vicmarc lathes in their own workshops, but none of them complained about those Record lathes, well at least that I heard, but they are a polite bunch on such occasions!

    I should point out that the Coronet has a 33mm thread, which is different to most lathes here in Australia.

    If it was me I would try to find the extra $800 to buy the Vicmarc VM150 (and build your own stand) or something similar, but not quite the same build quality, like the Rikon 70-220VSR and save yourself some money for tools (again build your own stand).

    https://www.cwsonline.com.au/shop/it...50sm-evs-lathe

    https://www.woodworkmachinery.com.au...eed-midi-lathe


    PS - Interesting to note that Record's top lathe, the MAXI-1-M33, is a re-badged Woodfast C1000X.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



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