Thread: Wood lathe mystery

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

I don't think this is the standard generic GMC/Dynalink style wood lathe for a couple of reasons - the external mounted motor & the length of the ways. The motor is internal & the ways are usually two piece on the generics.

It's possible the motor and ways are modifications by some prior owner to make it more usable. It's also possible that it is an older model (or "big brother" perhaps) that was the forefather to the later "cheapened down dynalink/gmc versions. Either way, the external motor alone is a major improvement.

However the tailstock, lack of a hollow drive-head, lack of a morse taper and other similar issues that it shares with the dynalink POS make it a very bad choice for anyone who wants it primarily as a beginners lathe. Because to do many of the things that most turners take for granted (such as adding a decent chuck, or using a pen mandrel, or...) are next to impossible with this lathe... and it would be quickly retired in favour of a 'real' lathe,

Still, I will NOT say it's not good for what you want to do with it... IF all you want is something to spin a spindle while you run some router jig or similar over it, then the lathe will probably do fine.

Just don't expect anything else from it.