where do I buy?

[Jenny Brandis]

I have decided that I will get a small tabletop jewellers lathe for the small stuff that I do. (lace tools and bobbins) My DH can use the larger lathes for his pens and bowls, but I find that I am working on small stuff and a small lathe would be better.

But where do I get one? Are there different types? Is there a particular brand not worth getting? Any and all advice will be read.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Carbatec stocks a micro-lathe (http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=index&show_tabid=0&cPath=300_14570_14580&sort=20a) for around $280

I can't really comment, never used one (I'm happy with my Leda Mini for small items) but rodent (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/member.php?u=7808), another turner on these forums, has one so the next time I see him I'll nudge him in this thread's general direction to give his opinion. :wink:

[Touchwood]

Hi Jenny
there is also Timbecon - John St, BENTLY - they have a web site - and I'm sure I saw small lathes when I was in there last (about Christmas). However, given the distance from Kunanarra to Perth - someone in the NT might be better!

I have a mini Jet and a MC 900.
Jenny

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

No response from Rod yet? :oo:

[tashammer]

i seem to notice that there are some little lathes that are made in one place and just rebadged to suit the retailer/distributor.

Is Leda a manufacturer or an importer and rebadger?

[bitingmidge]

Gary Pye (http://gpwoodturning.yahoostore.com.au/cgi/index.cgi/shopfront/view_product_details?category_id=&product_id=1107220001)
Has a jet pen lathe listed.

Cheers,

P

[Frank&Earnest]

i seem to notice that there are some little lathes that are made in one place and just rebadged to suit the retailer/distributor.

Is Leda a manufacturer or an importer and rebadger?

AFAIK a rebadger. Certainly for bandsaws.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

AFAIK a rebadger. Certainly for bandsaws.

Actually, it's one of those "mixed bag" situations.

For the Leda mini lathes, for example, (I assume they're what Tas was thinking of) they buy the generic mass-produced beds, headstocks, tool-rests, etc, etc. They clean up the castings, add their own motors and wiring, along with a few other bits'n'pieces and then badge it.

JET does exactly the same thing, with the same castings from the same sources (China, of course... as do quite a few other manufacturers) but I don't hear anyone saying JET are "just rebadgers." Hmmm? :U:fisch:

[rodent]

Jenny im back so about the carbatec mini well it so small ive got it mounted on a purposely made box with two draws one for chucks and bit's and pieces the other for turning tools .it is mounted on a push trolly and skew made some legs for it .They are all hinged so i can fold it up for transport . Now the lathe it's fast 3000 revs / per /minute . it has an one morse taper in the head and tail stock .it has taken one heck of a poundin in the last year as jessie her dad crazyscew and my self have put it through it's paces with pens small bowls mushrooms handles and many other mad projects .now over to jessie.
This is jessie. The little lathe that you're talking about is really quite a good little machine. the one that rodent owns is pretty quiet. the speed control is really easy to use. as rodent said, it has served us very well with all our mad projects that we have given it hell with. the first time i used it, i was going to steal it, but didn feellike being beaten over the head with a piece of red gum, not my cup of tea. they really are a good lathe, i definately recommend it for small projects. :B Well back to me so there you have it the lathe is a good little ripper the only thing i would get for it would be an extra belt just in case because murphy is always around the corner sticking his nose in where it isn't wanted which ever lathe you get just remember have fun.:2tsup:

[lubbing5cherubs]

here is a micro lathe on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-Lathe-Rotary-Tool-Set_W0QQitemZ130101121981QQihZ003QQcategoryZ113535QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Toni

no closer look I think it might not last long.

[ss_11000]

here is a micro lathe on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-Lathe-Rotary-Tool-Set_W0QQitemZ130101121981QQihZ003QQcategoryZ113535QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Toni

no closer look I think it might not last long.
that looks interesting toni..thanx for the link

[rsser]

Ain't a jewellers lathe a metal lathe?

But would it be appropriate for small wood turnings? I think Hughie posted on this recently.

btw, my local WW machinery guy reckons Jet tablesaws come out of the same factories in China as the rest only Jet have their own guys doing quality control on the shop floor.

[tashammer]

ya rsser and one needs to be werry careful. (i was just thinking of the quality control problems they seem to be having with cam/crc lasers and lathes on another web site.

[hughie]

Jenny,
I dont think a small or miniature jewellers lathe would be that suitable. The size is right but you would have to modify a high précising tool down to wood turning standards ,also they ain't gonna be cheap.

This is the sort of stuff they do with them
http://craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Lefaivre.htm
http://www.tascione.com/newsletter9.htm
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/oldmachines.htm

Sherline lathes and prices....ouch! USD
http://www.lacywest.com/09mlathe.htm

about the cheapest I could find in Oz $
http://www.clisbyminiaturemachines.com/LatheMetal.html

This is about the best one I found price wise and size for wood
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=17191&TabSelect=Details
or the Jet pen maker
http://sawdustmaking.com/Lathes/lathes.html

Failing that get one made by a savvy Fitter machinist. Its not that hard,
I have been working a small design bowl lathe to lug around shows for demo purposes 500mm high, 500 long, spins a 500mm bowl

[himzol]

Not sure if this is what your after:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12-x8-VARIABLE-SPEED-MINI-WOOD-LATHE-NEW_W0QQitemZ250104662324QQihZ015QQcategoryZ57125QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

I baught from these people and they are easy to deal with... Not affiliated

H.