Time to Upgrade

[mat_au]

ok so i think it is time for an upgrade of my lathe atm i have a carba-tec mini lathe and it has done a decent job for a starter lathe and now am looking for something bigger to turn bigger items

i want something that is variable speed, stand alone and has a turning head i am looking at

Carba-Tec® 1.1m Bed Wood Lathe : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-11m-bed-wood-lathe_c20060)

16x43" Wood Lathe, Variable Speed With 1.5HP motor and Cast Iron Stand - Woodturning Tools and Timber, Woodturner Accessories, Woodcarver Supplies, Woodturning Equipment (http://www.popsshed.com.au/Product_Main.aspx?cid=8&scid=54&pid=40)

as i dont really have any ideas on whats a good step up i need some advice. I want something that will last a while and wont have to replace too soon and will do a good job for a backyard turner, any advice would be fantastic :D

[Big Shed]

This lathe

W387 | WL-46A Electronic Variable Speed Wood Lathe | machineryhouse.com.au
(http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W387)
doesn't have a swivel headstock, but the headstock slides to the other end of the bed and you can buy an accessory toolrest that screws on to that end of the stand.

I have owned this lathe for some time and am very happy with it, the variable speed is excellent, it is very quiet and very smooth and sturdy.

Several other members of this forum have the same lathe.

You may want to consider this lathe.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/changing-guard-115302/

[hughie]

Well speaking from a little experience. Buy as much lathe as you can afford, buy to the limit of your budget and then some if you can.
I am on my 3rd or 4th lathe :U and I could have saved myself some hassle by just going big to start with. So with that in mind, try and figure out where your going with this turning thing. :?:). Then off you go and find a lathe that fits your intended direction/hobby etc.


Have a look on Ebay there's a few good ones there. :2tsup:

[Mobyturns]

Its a real shame you weren't closer to SE Qld as an older Vicmarc 6 speed VL200 recently went for a bit over $500 on Ebay.

[wheelinround]

Check out Gumtree.com.au there are so many 2nd hand Vicmarc's on there for sale ATM make one wonder why.

[NeilS]

Check out Gumtree.com.au there are so many 2nd hand Vicmarc's on there for sale ATM make one wonder why.

Turners wear out before a quality lathe does...:D

[wheelinround]

Turners wear out before a quality lathe does...:D

I agree just look at 's new/old toy better than a Vicmarc

[brendan stemp]

Sell everything you can to raise the money to buy a Vicmarc VL175. Easily the best lathe in this range with swivel head and well worth the extra expense. All Vicmarcs have the added advantage of holding their value so that when/if you decide to sell it you will sell it in a flash and for a good price.

[mat_au]

thanks for the advice but i think the vicmerc might be a bit out of my price range. so any other suggestions?

[Mobyturns]

Matt I have no connection whatsoever with the seller but have a look at http://www.woodworkforums.com/f221/woodfast-lathe-162532/ worth considering.

The rear turning attachment ($170 + freight) from the new Woodfast 910's can be fitted to this & depending upon the EVS unit you select you could even have reverse. Woodfast Machinery Co. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. - Plus you could do it in steps, bit at at times as you get the dollars.

[Mobyturns]

Mat_au I have PM'd the info you asked for.

[Paul39]

Matt I have no connection whatsoever with the seller but have a look at http://www.woodworkforums.com/f221/woodfast-lathe-162532/ worth considering.

Swing is stated at 150mm, but I believe that is the center height. Swing would be 300mm.

I have a short bed 20 inch swing Woodfast, My ranting and ravings about same here:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/woodfast-410-a-123670/

Rush over there and buy the above lathe. You can not buy anything near as good new for three times the money.

[Mobyturns]

Now I understand why the PM some of the links dropped of my post above.

I was just suggesting options. Many turners are getting rid of really good quality Vicmarc VL200’s etc & Woodfast 908 style lathes because they don't have variable speed. So there are some really good buys out there with lots of accessories thrown in which are very high quality second hand older model Australian made lathes. If you buy a second hand one you can easily retro fit outboard turning or EVS using new off the shelf accessories & kits when you can afford to upgrade.

Electronic variable speed (EVS) unit off the Woodfast M910 lathe is also available as a kit. (Woodfast Machinery Co. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. - (http://www.woodfast.com.au/index.php?p=1_5)) I have the first one they did a few years back now as a trial on my '92 vintage Woodfast 908. (I also paid a lot more for the lathe than what is being asked for the lathe on sale). The Woodfast EVS is a quality unit with a good 2hp 3 phase motor and a Schneider Altivar frequency control drive for the EVS. You only need a single phase 240v 10amp power point for it. The Woodfast EVS comes preset ready to fit, almost plug & play though it should be set up by a licensed electrician, and gives you the same specs as what the new M910 has so it will be suitable for big bowls thru to fine spindle work. The conventional 5 or 6 speed pulley on the headstock spindle stays put & the motor supplied with the EVS has a matching pulley (if you tell them the model lathe you have).

There are of course other EVS options (try SE Qld Woodworking Supplies, Carrolls CWS Store - Variable Speed Motor | Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies (http://www.cws.au.com/shop/category/-variable-speed-motor), Vicmarc, Vermec) available. They are not all the same & have different speed ranges, torque outputs etc & some may need more skill in setting up plus may need a lot more input from a licensed electrician who knows what he is doing to set them up properly & safely.

The Woodfast outboard turning accessory only needs 4 holes drilled in the outboard end of the cabinet on that lathe & you are away.

Before buying second hand you need to make the typical checks plus make sure that every thing is running OK & that there is actually a threaded spindle on the outboard end of the headstock spindle & that it is a left hand thread if the lathe does not have reverse. Plus there are all the usual precautions required in turning outboard.
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[Big Shed]

Electronic variable speed (EVS) unit off the Woodfast M910 lathe is also available as a kit. (Woodfast Machinery Co. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. - (http://www.woodfast.com.au/index.php?p=1_5))


Had a look at that EVS kit just now:o

I only paid about $50 more for my whole (EVS) lathe:doh:.

[Mobyturns]

I only paid about $50 more for my whole (EVS) lathe:doh:.

Like everything there are options in price & quality. Its up to individuals to decide which option is value for money to them & their financial circumstances, which one will still be performing to their expectations (duty cycles etc) for the life span they expect it to perform. I'm not making value judgements here just offering options - good or bad - depends on you point of view & circumstances.

[Big Shed]

thanks for the advice but i think the vicmerc might be a bit out of my price range. so any other suggestions?


Like everything there are options in price & quality. Its up to individuals to decide which option is value for money to them & their financial circumstances, which one will still be performing to their expectations (duty cycles etc) for the life span they expect it to perform. I'm not making value judgements here just offering options - good or bad - depends on you point of view & circumstances.

Seems to me that if the Vicmarc is out on financial grounds then a Woodfast 910 with EVS wouldn't be an option either.:no:

[mat_au]

wow so many things to consider and think about might have to do some more research, ill have to keep looking and see

and thanks for all the tips too guys much appreciated :D