Newbee question ... What Lathe to start with.

[Dust Mite]

I'm in the process of selling off my larger woodwork machines as they dont get enough use to justify keeping them.
However I do have another endeavor that requires some wood turning, something I've always wanted to do.

Initially I want to keep the outlay reasonably low. The two machines I'm looking at are the Tooline (http://www.stocked.co.nz/products/TOOLINE-WOOD-LATHE-375-WATTS.html) , which seems identical the the model GMC produced, or this mini lathe from the Toolshed (http://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/Products/Workshop/Lathes/ToolShed-Trade-Wood-Lathe-Midi).
I'm leaning towards the Toolshed option as you get more for you money in terms of build quality and accessories.
This set of chisels from Carbatec (http://www.carbatec.co.nz/carba-tec-6-piece-turning-chisel-set_c14100) also looks like a good starting point, they do also offer a 3 piece set, and the prices seem reasonable.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Ticky]

Hi Dusty,

First let me tell you, I am a newbee myself, but I have been through what you are going through.

Of the 2 lathes you are looking at, drop the Tooline off your list straight away. I wouldn't consider anything that doest have a Cast Iron Bed.

The Mini lathe would be a far better option, but have a look at how difficult it is to change your speeds. That can be a bit of an issue with those mini lathes.

From My LIMITED Experience:

I bought a second hand MC1100 for $275 (I was looking for an MC900, but this one came up.) There are many companys that make & supply MC900 or MC1100. You can turn small stuff like pens on a big lathe, but not so easy to turn a table leg on a mini lathe. Lathes - Wood : LEDACRAFT MC-1100 WOOD LATHE (http://www.ledamachinery.com.au/index.php/lathes-wood/ledacraft-mc-1100-wood-lathe-detail)

Next I bought a Robert Sorby Starter set http://www.cwsonline.com.au/persistent/catalogue_images/categories/67hsnew.jpg
for $240. Not a lot more that the cheap chinese set at Carbatec.

I also joined a club to learn about turning & discovered that most of my brand new shiny chisels needed to be reground to a different shape. This is when I realised that a sharpening jig was going to be a must, so I bought a TRU-GRIND jig and wheel for $290. have a look at this Woodcut Tru-Grind sharpening system - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP8R_rgbL5A)

I have turned a few pens & am working on my first bowl.

I hope this help you mate


Steve

[Treecycle]

I agree with Ticky in forgetting about the Tooline lathe. They are a waste of money because of all the restrictions they have. No morse taper in the headstock spindle, the centre on the tailstock is not removable and therefore no morse taper, the thread on the headstock is non standard, the light metal bed will vibrate like crazy.
The other lathe looks the way to go if it will handle the size of turning you want to do. These are a tried and tested style with plenty of weight to them to reduce vibration. If you are wanting to turn larger items, then something along the lines of what Ticky has is a good value for money option.
Cast iron construction is always your friend, and a good solid stand.
The chisel set seems a bit overpriced but that may just be what you get charged over there. The same sets here in other brands would be about $100AUD.

[Paul39]

Dust Mite,

I agree with the above on the Tooline lathe. If you had no other option and one were given to you, it can be made to work. The tool rest breaks, the tailstock breaks, it vibrates because the "bed" is too small and flexible.

The mini lathe from Toolshed is a decent lathe, sold here by Harbor Freight.

The set of tools from Carbatec are grossly overpriced. Here is what we pay for equivalent good Chinese in the US: Lathe Chisel Sets at Penn State Industries (http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lathe-chisel-sets.html)

Shop around a bit on the tools. Depending on what you want to turn, you can get by with very few tools. For spindles, a 20mm skew, same size spindle gouge that can substitute as a roughing gouge, and a 12mm spindle gouge.

For bowls; a 12mm bowl gouge - that can also substitute for a spindle roughing gouge and a spindle gouge - and a 25mm half round heavy scraper.

A parting tool can be made from a $1.00 bread knife from a junk store.

It would help those wanting to advise you if we knew what you expect to turn. The smallest things I turn are big fat tool handles, about 50mm in diameter. I do mostly bowls and have a 20 inch (508mm) swing lathe for that.

As much as I admire the skill it takes to make them, I wouldn't turn a pen or a tiny finial if my life depended on it.

[artme]

G'day Dust Mite. Sound advice from all those replies.

I would only use the Tooline as a boat anchor, I used one and hated it!!

My advice is to get the biggest and best lathe you can afford. You can turn small things on a big lathe but you can't turn big things on a small lathe.

Look for: *hollow head and tail stock
*No. 2 Morse taper
* Metric thread on head stock
* Cast Iron construction

[Old Croc]

As above, :2tsup: the only thing I would add is check if it has a variable speed option as I have a similar lathe, and the variable speed is invaluable to me,
Interesting what Paul said about prices, Aussies get ripped off compared with the US, but K1W1's get ripped off even more, :o
rgds,
Crocy

[Treecycle]

Specs from the Toolshed lathe.

This lathe is covered by a two year trade warranty.

Power – 370w, 230V
Distance between centres – 400mm
Swing – 240mm
Face plate diameter - 80mm
Taper - MT2
Speeds - 760, 1100, 1600, 2200, 3200 RPM
Live Centre and Spur Centre Included
Net Weight – 33kg

Looks very much like a copy of the Jet mini lathe. What I don't understand is why the chisels are so overpriced and yet the lathe is quite reasonable:no:

[Dust Mite]

Sound advice, thank you all.
I will go with the Toolshed lathe.
I too thought it looked very close to a Jet mini lathe (http://www.carbatec.co.nz/jet-mini-lathe_c22255) or the lathe from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html).
I intend to get the extension for the bed, which will give something like 1000 mm working length.

I work for a Leadlighting company and we sell Tiffany lampshades. We also make various lampshades to custom order and I make a number at home for sale in the gallery above our workshop. We have to order the lamp bases for a lot of these lampshades separately and they can be as expensive ( almost ) as the shade itself. We also supply to stained glass artisans all over the country and AU as well, and we have often been asked for a wood alternative to the cast muck-metal ( think imitation bronze ). Well I just happen to enjoy me wood work so whats a poor woody to do :C.
Something along the lines of these.
320911

I smell a nice little sideline to my mainstream job, hence setting up the lathe.
The intention is to make 250 to 400 mm spindles that will be joined to a large heavier base plate. Largest part of the spindle is likely to be no more than 90mm diameter.

Once I'm used to using the lathe and am confident that it will do the job I will make a few longer stands as well, but for now it will be the smaller units that I concentrate on.


As for the chisel sets. Initially I was somewhat taken aback at the pricing, but when exchange rates etc are factored in there's not that much difference country to country. Freight is the big killer. I could order from the states but the freight would end up costing me the same as local prices.

This set is currently up for sale for $65.00 and I have a bid in on them.
The seller also has said they will add a few more random chisels so this seems a reasonable buy.

See the auction here. (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=759490875)

320910 Pretty much brand new and about half the price through a local store. Any thoughts on these. They look pretty generic but appear solid and serviceable.

Cheers
Ralph.

[artme]

Just saw the specs on that lathe Dust Mite.

I think you might find it a little underpowered.

What say the other posters.

[Treecycle]

If you get them for that price you can't go too far wrong. Can't tell if they are HSS or carbon steel, but either way it would be a pretty good deal especially if some ore are thrown in. If need be you can upgrade later on if you find them not up to the task.

[ian thorn]

What part of our good country are you in you may be better to look at a good used lathe there are usualy some good ones on sale if you check Terry Scott out.

[Hermit]

Just saw the specs on that lathe Dust Mite.

I think you might find it a little underpowered.

What say the other posters.

370W / 0.5HP is pretty common for a mini with 10" swing.

Mine's a 10" from Pop's Shed and also has a 370W motor. No problems yet with it being under-powered. I don't attack things very hard though.

[Mobyturns]

Something along the lines of these.
320911

Cheers
Ralph.

If you are wanting to turn lamp bases the clones of the Toolline lathe are woefully inadequate & IMO dangerous. I really don't know how the mainstream retailers can sell them and still sleep at night!

Most mini / midi lathes will struggle either with power or capacity (swing/distance between centers). The clone MC900/1100 lathes are really the entry level for lathes to do those projects. So you really should be looking for a sturdier lathe. Perhaps a S/H Tough, Woodfast M908 or Vicmarc VL200 or similar. (Edit or a Nova seeing you are in Kiwiland)

Now if you want to make a go of turning the lamp bases, an inadequate lathe & cheap tools will prove to be a very poor investment in pretty quick time. Sourcing a reliable supply of suitably sized dry turning blanks that will not crack will also be a challenge.

[Dust Mite]

370W / 0.5HP is pretty common for a mini with 10" swing.

Mine's a 10" from Pop's Shed and also has a 370W motor. No problems yet with it being under-powered. I don't attack things very hard though.

Yes. From what I've seen on Youtube videos, slow and easy does it seems to be the rule. Makes sense too as there's no point in pushing the equipment too hard.

[Dust Mite]

Sourcing a reliable supply of suitably sized dry turning blanks that will not crack will also be a challenge.

The midi lathes are for now outside my available funds.
Wood on the other hand is not an issue. I have a rack full of Tawa and Rimu 100 x 100 @ various lengths. Sufficient at a glance to do possibly 30 or so spindles or stands. All of it a dry as wood can get here.

[Dust Mite]

What part of our good country are you in you may be better to look at a good used lathe there are usualy some good ones on sale if you check Terry Scott out.

I'm in Hamilton. WW machinery outlets are a bit thin on the ground here. I've looked at the Timberly website (http://www.timberly.co.nz/). They carry fairly expensive gear, not something I could justify as yet. I have been keeping my on on Trademe but there's not a lot of good stuff on there at the moment.

[Paul39]

Sound advice, thank you all.
I will go with the Toolshed lathe.
I too thought it looked very close to a Jet mini lathe (http://www.carbatec.co.nz/jet-mini-lathe_c22255) or the lathe from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html).
I intend to get the extension for the bed, which will give something like 1000 mm working length.

I work for a Leadlighting company and we sell Tiffany lampshades. We also make various lampshades to custom order and I make a number at home for sale in the gallery above our workshop. We have to order the lamp bases for a lot of these lampshades separately and they can be as expensive ( almost ) as the shade itself. We also supply to stained glass artisans all over the country and AU as well, and we have often been asked for a wood alternative to the cast muck-metal ( think imitation bronze ). Well I just happen to enjoy me wood work so whats a poor woody to do :C.
Something along the lines of these.
320911

I smell a nice little sideline to my mainstream job, hence setting up the lathe.
The intention is to make 250 to 400 mm spindles that will be joined to a large heavier base plate. Largest part of the spindle is likely to be no more than 90mm diameter.

Once I'm used to using the lathe and am confident that it will do the job I will make a few longer stands as well, but for now it will be the smaller units that I concentrate on.


As for the chisel sets. Initially I was somewhat taken aback at the pricing, but when exchange rates etc are factored in there's not that much difference country to country. Freight is the big killer. I could order from the states but the freight would end up costing me the same as local prices.

This set is currently up for sale for $65.00 and I have a bid in on them.
The seller also has said they will add a few more random chisels so this seems a reasonable buy.

See the auction here. (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=759490875)

320910 Pretty much brand new and about half the price through a local store. Any thoughts on these. They look pretty generic but appear solid and serviceable.

Cheers
Ralph.

I think the lathe will do fine for what you have in mind. If the lathe lacks power on the larger diameter bases, use a smaller gouge or be a little less aggressive.

If you get to the point where the lathe is slowing you down and you are not making 5 lamps per hour, you might well be making enough $$$ to go buy a nice big Vicmarc.

If you can get the above tools for half of local retail that is a good start.

[Dust Mite]

Cheers Paul.

As a starting point the lathe seems robust enough. The user reviews I'm seeing of these lathes, is that they are reasonably robust and capable for what I intend to use it for. If I get sufficient work to pay for a larger machine I may well sell it or do as others have and keep it as a small finishing lathe.

[Dust Mite]

Thanks for all the help and feedback folks.

I ducked into the Toolshed after work this evening and picked up the lathe before heading home.
Now its a matter of rearranging things in the workshop to set up a good working area.
I will keep you posted as we go along, and I'm pretty sure that I will need to pick a few brains from time to time as well.


321073

[Ticky]

Well done Dusty

I've seen a few of these with different names on them and they all look pretty solid little units to me. I think you will get a lot of use out of your new toy before you need to upgrade. I think you would have very quickly discovered the shortfalls of the other one.

Good choice mate

Steve

[Treecycle]

Any luck with the chisels?

[Dust Mite]

Any luck with the chisels?

Yep, gottem :D plus hes thrown in an extra to boot. Should arrive today or tomorrow from the courier.

[Treecycle]

There will be no holding you back once you get them. Do you have a grinder for sharpening them?

[Dust Mite]

Yes I do have a grinder. I've always sharpened my own tools and with the new additions will do so too. Just a matter of learning the correct techniques. Possibly investing in a sharpening attachment but will be dependent on amount of work being done.

[Ticky]

Yes I do have a grinder. I've always sharpened my own tools and with the new additions will do so too. Just a matter of learning the correct techniques. Possibly investing in a sharpening attachment but will be dependent on amount of work being done.


The Woodcut Tru-Gring system was strongly suggested to me by people at the wood work club I joined to learn about Turning.
I bought one, but I havent set it up and used it yet, however, I have used a system at the club which is similar. There might be people that sharpen without a jig, but I wouldn't even bother trying.

Woodcut Tools LimitedHaumoana, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Phone + 64 (06) 875 1066
e-mail: [email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP8R_rgbL5A

Steve