Thread: Tough lathes.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

TL
sorry I haven't tuned into this thread for a little while
I've seen the piccies and now agree it exists I vote on the purple - looks delish Its NOT purple.

Nice looking lathe
re the hollowing tool rest you might want to talk to Hughie about one of his big bedans - I think we christened it the ripsnorter Too big for me. I might stick to nice small tools.

Thanks also for the last set of piccies - No4 has given me an idea to hold my vast collection of rests (3 in total ) The bench came like that. Cool isn't it. I'mm gonna stick a dust port in the wall too.

I gather that you are very happy on a number of fronts about having this lathe
may you have many happy hours on it poking bits of steel at revolving bits of wood

Yep Really happy.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi TL,
I'm not sure if you counted mine + the one I have FOR SALE $ 950 ALL UP IN VIC.
Regards,
issatree.
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That one is cheaper than what I paid. So I try not to think about it. But mine is very well trained by the previous owner. (If you want to sell the chuck by itself I'd very VERY interested. )

So ho wnmany do we have?

Tea lady
Issatree
Waldo
Phil spencer
Quercus
Mick61's mate
Who ever buys the one in Geelong.

That's only 7. Surely there is more than that out there.

I know there in one at the Knox Woodworkers. That makes 8!

I know this is an old thread but I have just inherited a "Tough" lathe from my grandfather who has moved workshop (House). I came across this forum while researching information for an appropriate of stand.

Does not seem that long since I was reading all that, how time flies.
Regards

Flies more in one direction than another dammit ;-)

Welcome to the forum P1w2. I might suggest that you start another thread with specific question on the lathe that you aquired.

Originally Posted by P1w2

I know this is an old thread but I have just inherited a "Tough" lathe from my grandfather who has moved workshop (House). I came across this forum while researching information for an appropriate of stand.

MIne stands on an old desk. Drawn full of chucks and stuff. Seems just the right height.

I bought one of ebay about a month ago from Brisbane. I paid $ 325.00 for the lathe on metal cabinets 4 speed belt drive #2 morse taper both ends with a tough steady, 2 x tool rests, 2 x 200mm dia face plates one left hand thread one left and right thread, 1 x 100mm face plate with removable screw centre and about 14 chisels. The lathe is in very good condition and runs very sweet. 1"x 10 inboard and outboard shaft threads. I am very happy to have come across this bargin I have been looking for a lathe for a while I havent had one for a few years we have been traveling in the van and only able to use equiptment at various clubs I have joined on our travels whenever we stopped in an aera for a while.
Regards Rod.

Hi All,
Very good for the Heart Strings to see " The Tough " making Headlines again.

Having read through them all again, I found that I had left a small Tip out.
If you look at the Photos on Page 5, Thread No. 71, 2nd. Photo of the Pulleys, up to the right, you will see a Knurled Wheel, which is the Indexing Head Pin.
Well mine Broke Off. So I removed it, squared it on the Grinder & bored a new hole, about 3/16ths. enough to take part of a Cement Nail, & forced it in.
While it was out, I rebored the 12 Holes by Hand, in the Largest Pulley, put it all back, & Bingo.
When I'm using any of my Older Black Nova Chucks, I can now Lock the Head, & with 1 Hand hold the Wood, & with the other I can Tighten the Wood in the Chuck with MY 1 Tommy Bar, as I cut up a Stanley Screwdriver that fits the Holes in the Chuck, & I can really lay into the Tightness.
Well it works for me, have never had a problem for 10+ years.
By the way, I still know of an Older " Tough Lathe " For Sale. Ask Me.

Hi Tea Lady,

For the record I have two Tough lathes. One is the same model as indicated in Phil's image and the other is the previous model which is a bit lighter. I've run both semi commercially for about 25 years and changed the headstock bearings in both just once in that time. I converted both to heavier Woodfast rests and tool rest holders many years ago. I have also converted one to variable speed with a Carrolls 1HP motor about 5 years ago. The day I did that I set the pulleys to the second fastest speed and I haven't changed them since that day. I've turned stacks of Newell posts (in two or three sections) using the Carrolls motor. There's plenty of power and torque there for anything you could reasonably want to turn in the spindle line. The motor will and frequently does run continuously all day, with a lunch break, with no sign of overheating.

There is close to zero transverse movement between the tail stock guides and the ground ways in the lathe bed in both my lathes {and that's the way it needs to be}

Doubtless there are better spindle lathes about and I have used most of them including the Stubby and the Tanner and the larger Vicmarcs from place to place. I don't think I'd turn off a better product with them than I can with my Tough's so I have never seen any need to spend more money on something that may be perceived to be better ( I guess I might just make an exception for the Wadkin pattern makers lathe

BTW I also have a Tough chain mortiser in excellent condition that I use occasionally if I have a proper exterior door to make.

I think you will be very happy with your purchase.


Cheers Old Pete

Hi all you Tough owners

Totally new to this game but hope to pick up turning skills asap. Bought a mates Tough lathe with many bits and pieces he never used, including a copying frame? and some sort of NZ bowl saving gouge system. Other things include 20 odd tools and a number of spindles and face plates and a NZ chuck with adjustable teeth. Paid a grand for the lot, good value?
Anyhow I hope to get turning as soon as my gammey leg comes right.

Aim to buy a new band saw asap, if I can't get second hand one, is the Carbatec smallest one suitable? (about $350)

Just joined the Forum today so there is a lot to read and catch up on

Cheers

Jon

Welcome Jon.

Sell your Grandma to get a decent bandsaw if faceplate turning looks to be your thing. 150mm depth of cut is the absolute min. Aim for 200mm or more. Cry once.

Oh, and sell Grandpa for a decent chainsaw ;-)

Hi rsser

Put grandma on ebay with "best offer" but not holding my breath. May need to put wife on as well

Will look at 14" 2 speed carbatec

Thanks for advice

Jon

I'd make you an offer for both but already have some stacked in the shed.

See the bandsaw sub-forum here for experience with that unit.

Good luck with your venture into turning. It's addictive you should be warned!