Long term budget planning

[Redbeard]

Ok, so the old Carbatec M900 has still got a few miles in her yet but those miles are getting more and more shaky. Plus the limitations of the budget design are becoming more and more obvious. It doesn't go real slow or real fast, the tail stock has developed two or three millimetres of slop and the half horsepower motor bogs down pretty quickly, amongst other concerns.

I can see a time, not too far away, when I'm going to have to replace the old girl.

I like turning bowls, platters, goblets, lidded boxes, that sort of thing. I'm not particularly interested in big long spindles but the occasional lamp or tool handle wouldn't be unlikely. I'm not yet up to doing absolutely massive turnings but a 300mm bowl regularly starts as a much bigger lump of wood.

That's what I've got and what I would like to do with my lathe.

So, for budgetary purposes (ie, how much do I have to tuck away or go into hock for) I'm looking for specific suggestions.

Short, midi-ish bed, extendable as a possible option.
1 horse power minimum.
Over 300mm swing (400-450 ish maybe)
Maybe a swivelling head stock (not compulsory)
Very low speed option, 100rpm or less maybe
2500rpm at least as a maximum
Electronic speed control
Plenty of travel in the tail stock quill.
Hand wheel

There's a whole bunch of lathes out there, I'm sure some of them I've never heard of so hit me with some suggestions. (I'm an amateur with no intention of making a career out of turning so the Vicmarc is probably out off the question, just saying).

Thanks folks
Redbeard

[Colin62]

Maybe a swivelling head stock (not compulsory)
I quite like the sliding headstock variety over the swivelling headstock. I’ve a swivelling headstock and by the time I’ve got the extension for the tool post on to reach the bowl, to tool rest and tool are bouncing around all over the place.

[derekcohen]

Ok, so the old Carbatec M900 has still got a few miles in her yet but those miles are getting more and more shaky. Plus the limitations of the budget design are becoming more and more obvious. It doesn't go real slow or real fast, the tail stock has developed two or three millimetres of slop and the half horsepower motor bogs down pretty quickly, amongst other concerns.

I can see a time, not too far away, when I'm going to have to replace the old girl.

I like turning bowls, platters, goblets, lidded boxes, that sort of thing. I'm not particularly interested in big long spindles but the occasional lamp or tool handle wouldn't be unlikely. I'm not yet up to doing absolutely massive turnings but a 300mm bowl regularly starts as a much bigger lump of wood.

That's what I've got and what I would like to do with my lathe.

So, for budgetary purposes (ie, how much do I have to tuck away or go into hock for) I'm looking for specific suggestions.

Short, midi-ish bed, extendable as a possible option.
1 horse power minimum.
Over 300mm swing (400-450 ish maybe)
Maybe a swivelling head stock (not compulsory)
Very low speed option, 100rpm or less maybe
2500rpm at least as a maximum
Electronic speed control
Plenty of travel in the tail stock quill.
Hand wheel

There's a whole bunch of lathes out there, I'm sure some of them I've never heard of so hit me with some suggestions. (I'm an amateur with no intention of making a career out of turning so the Vicmarc is probably out off the question, just saying).

Thanks folks
Redbeard

Something like the Nova Saturn? It list all, and much more (2.3 hp on 230v; 100-5000 rpm, electronic variable speed, wide range of accessories), of the features you desire. I picked one up from Carbatec with a 20% discount thanks to Black Friday. Mine has a bed extension for longer spindles, plus the cast iron legs. You could get away without those if you need to economise. Look it up.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Optimark]

You don't give a budget, but one presumes anything under a Vicmarc lathe price is where you may start. Forgetting second hand lathes and looking at new stuff, here goes:

Highest price and possibly most versatile at just under $4,000 AUD, is the Laguna Revo 18-36, fortunately for you available pretty much on your doorstep in sunny QLD. I have used one of these lathes and thought it was wonderful; I bought it's bigger sibling, the Laguna Revo 24-36, which to me was a bit more wonderful.

If you don't do anything else, watch the clip of the 18-36 lathe on their site; this will give you an insight into what is available and what can be done with around 1500W of power.

https://www.gregmach.com/product/laguna-lathe-revo-1836/


Next down would be a trip to South East Qld Woodworking Supplies; I would love to have that place near me. I have not seen this lathe, but it looks interesting and for $2,000 AUD half the price of the Laguna. This unit is also around 1500W and like the laguna 18-36, it may be a 3 phase motor, which is the bees knees with regard to power delivery

Woodworking Supplies S/E QLD - QWS Short Bed Vairable Speed Woodlathe (http://www.woodworkingsuppliesqld.com.au/Woodlathes2/QWS-Lathes2/WL1624VF)

One from stage left could be the English Coronet Herald. I saw this being demonstrated last year at the Melbourne wood show by a person from the factory in England. Far more versatile machine than it at first looks. It has a stunning speed range topping out at 5,000rpm, speed ranges start at 96rpm and go up in three belt changes to that 5,000rpm limit; it runs a swivel head. At $1800 AUD it is reasonable value, but not mind blowing.

It has two issues you would need to overcome, one, the power is approximately 745.669W and the spindle thread is M33x3.5, which is what the rest of the world uses and increasingly more Australians are getting into.

https://mmvic.com.au/product/record-power-coronet-herald-heavy-duty-cast-iron-electronic-variable-speed-lathe/


From what you have described, I believe you need to think about your future needs, which is what I did well over a year ago when I started looking at lathes. This thread is a very good way for you to look forward.

Some food for thought.

Mick.

[Treecycle]

I have one of these (https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W387) and find it performs well for what I do. I have had it for a few years now so I don't know if the machining of components is any different. The fit of the quill in the tailstock has a bit of movement and there is a bit of slop between the tailstock key and the slot in the bed so you can actually move the headstock and tailstock centres out of line with each other. If you are turning bowls mainly this wouldn't pose a problem. 2hp and 460 swing with plenty of cast iron to keep it stable. 100 - 3200RPM with a 2 step pulley so you can keep the power up at lower speeds.

[Redbeard]

Thanks Derek, Optimark, and Treecycle, your input is invaluable.

I don't have a budget yet, what I'm trying to work out is how much I'm going to need to have to hand when the old girl finally does implode. The Vicmarc is the gold standard around here, and only two suburbs over but gee, they're a lot of lathe for a lot of money. Money I can't justify.

Optimark, you're spot on with your advice about doing some thinking. I'm doing lots of thinking to identify exactly where I'm going with all this.

The QWS lathes are very interesting, especially given their proximity to home. I shall have to investigate. The Laguna is getting out of where I'm comfortable to spend, and the left fielder is also quite interesting.

Seems $2k is about my limit. Somewhere about there. I like the sliding headstocks, just have to watch the length. My current space is not large.

Food for thought.
Redbeard

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

$2k should get you a quite respectable lathe, provided you don't mind shopping around, can live without EVS (it's much over-rated imo :rolleyes:) and aren't fussed about "new."

Personally, I'd go looking for an old Woodfast or similar. Something like this ol' gal. (https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/advert/Woodfast-woodlathe/472583/) (Although I'd prefer the yellow Woodfast just behind it... spare parts for mine! ;) )

Built to last, fully serviceable, would do any turner proud... and being 3phase it should be a suitable candidate for conversion to 240VAC VSD if you really wanna go that way..

[Paul39]

$2k should get you a quite respectable lathe, provided you don't mind shopping around, can live without EVS (it's much over-rated imo :rolleyes:) and aren't fussed about "new."

Personally, I'd go looking for an old Woodfast or similar. Something like this ol' gal. (https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/advert/Woodfast-woodlathe/472583/) (Although I'd prefer the yellow Woodfast just behind it... spare parts for mine! ;) )

Built to last, fully serviceable, would do any turner proud... and being 3phase it should be a suitable candidate for conversion to 240VAC VSD if you really wanna go that way..

Below is my 20 inch swing short bed Woodfast. I paid US $850 for it with an aftermarket DC variable drive. It is wonderful. It was rusty with head and tail centers stuck , along with the face plate and hand wheel. One week end of gentle persuasion, heat, and penetrating oil got everything free. The old green Woodfasts are build like a tank, with lots of cast iron. Tool rest and tail stock move nicely and lock.

If you go with a short bed for bowls, keep the long one for spindles. If short of space, make a work bench that rolls over the long bed to use that space.

If you have a budget of $2000, you can buy a used $4000 lathe, or a $2000 lathe for $1000 and have money for upgrade, variable speed, or chuck and tools. Also when buying used, sometimes chisels, chuck, etc. comes with it.

My first "good" lathe, an over $2000 German Hegner came with a Oneway chuck, Oneway tail center kit, 8 inch slow speed grinder, Wolverine grinder rests and jigs, and heavy wood work bench. All in barely used condition for $500.

Put money aside and when the right lathe appears, go with cash in hand and vehicle to haul, and carefully inspect, if all good ask: "What is the least you will take, right now, in cash". If accepted, thank the seller, load everything and go.

[Meldge]

Next down would be a trip to South East Qld Woodworking Supplies; I would love to have that place near me. I have not seen this lathe, but it looks interesting and for $2,000 AUD half the price of the Laguna. This unit is also around 1500W and like the laguna 18-36, it may be a 3 phase motor, which is the bees knees with regard to power delivery

Woodworking Supplies S/E QLD - QWS Short Bed Vairable Speed Woodlathe (http://www.woodworkingsuppliesqld.com.au/Woodlathes2/QWS-Lathes2/WL1624VF)

Mick.

I am not far from this store and I was seriously considering the small or medium QWS branded lathe but I ended up going with the larger model they have as I couldn't get past the bigger is better idea. 22 inch swing with 42 inch between centres, as big as it is I still make pens and other small items on it as well.

You can turn small things on a big lathe but can't turn big things on a small lathe. Just kept ringing in my head.

I am happy with the bigger one, it works well and hasn't played up on me yet. It's worth getting down there for a look if you can.

[Redbeard]

I am not far from this store and I was seriously considering the small or medium QWS branded lathe but I ended up going with the larger model they have as I couldn't get past the bigger is better idea. 22 inch swing with 42 inch between centres, as big as it is I still make pens and other small items on it as well.

You can turn small things on a big lathe but can't turn big things on a small lathe. Just kept ringing in my head.

I am happy with the bigger one, it works well and hasn't played up on me yet. It's worth getting down there for a look if you can.Meldge, you're absolutely right but I have a tiny shed and it's not how big it is but what you do with it. Right?

[Meldge]

It's not how big it is but what you do with it. Right?
So some would say... :laughing1:

[Redbeard]

Having argued for the shorter lathe due to space restrictions, I was watching a video of Stuart Batty doing a demo somewhere and her made a strong argument in favour of the long bed. The long bed allows him to slide his tail stock right out of the way when he's getting deep into a bowl instead of removing it or juggling around it. Faster working and better result in the end. Plus less chance of dropping the tail stock.

I'd have to cut my bench in half to fit some of the longish lathes in my little shed...

Hmmm, where's that saw?

[Old Croc]

Redbeard, time to think this out. I saw somewhere once a guy had a removable bench top that went on top of his bedway when the lathe is not in use, he just placed the tailstock up against the headstock.
Rgds,
Crocy.

[Redbeard]

Redbeard, time to think this out. I saw somewhere once a guy had a removable bench top that went on top of his bedway when the lathe is not in use, he just placed the tailstock up against the headstock.
Rgds,
Crocy.Crocy

You're so right, except I have a bench for my other sawdust making ventures. However, most of the lathes I've been looking at have optional legs so I'm going to be looking to build a custom turning bench anyway. I was watching an Alan Stratton video on the train this afternoon and he has a trolly which matched the tail stock on his lathe. Slide the tail stock onto the trolly and bobs your aunty.

Cheers
Cheers Redbeard

[quercus]

Seeing as it is a goal you can work towards, you are in Qld (home of Vicmarc) and are presumably looking for a lathe that will last the distance, it's hard to ignore Vicmarc as being the Lathe of choice A VL 240 or similar will have all the requirements you listed, and will last till you are unable to turn anymore- and will have great resale value.
I started out with an old Tough, which was good, but I was on the lookout for a quality second hand unit, and bought an older VL300 longbed, which I rebuilt, and am sure will outlast me and my son should he want to take on turning as a hobby.
Having been observing these forums for some years, I have seen some quality second hand Vicmarc units sold here for reasonable prices, So I would save some cash and be ready to pounce.