Thread: GMC Lathe

Have a look at tritonwoodworkers.org.au for a 'jig' that allows you to easily mount a pen turning mandrel.

I have had mine now for 4 1/2 years (not that I use it anywhere near as much as I'd like) - turning is fun, one day I wish to get better. I've turned pens, table legs, even redgum spheres on it. There are much better ones out there, but I've enjoyed having my GMC one. Got me into things in more ways than most know.

To make the bench for my new lathe, I bought my first piece of Triton gear - the 2400W saw, and things just went from there. So I owe a big debt of gratitude to my GMC lathe!

BTW - it may be a cheap lathe, but coupled with good quality chisels, you can still turn out reasonable work.

G'day Eric

Originally Posted by savage

Just got a new wood lathe for $89 I think it was a bargain as the regular price was $114, it's a gmc 1/2hp 4 speed with 1 mtr between centers, it will do what I want it to do and I'll turn my home made lathe into a linisher/disc sander, something else to play with!

Could you please tell me where you got it from and if they had any left when you purchased yours?

TIA

Steve

I aready have a set of cheapie chisels and a nice set of "Marples" turning chisels, these I use and like as they are longer than the others and find I have more control at the cutting edge.

Originally Posted by dunno103

G'day Eric




Could you please tell me where you got it from and if they had any left when you purchased yours?

TIA

Steve

Steve,
I got it from Home hardware at Minto (near Campbelltown) I was eying it off for several weeks and went in there Saturday to find it reduced, but it was the last one they had, you could try another branch or ask if they could ring a few stores for you.

Thanks for the quick reply Eric

Steve

steve
usually bunnings sell em for $99 so u might want to check em out. although i would consider spending the extra 300 for an mc900 ( many reasons for that including variable speeds cast iron etc.)

Thanks for the info Sterlo

Steve

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

Have a look at tritonwoodworkers.org.au for a 'jig' that allows you to easily mount a pen turning mandrel.

Thanks for posting that Stuart, I'm going to be a pen turner. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! At least I can give it a go now, then later I can decide if I can/should shell out for a proper mini lathe.

Probably a dumb question (I'm full of them), but are you supporting the un-chucked end of the mandrel with the tail stock centre. I guess you are, but how do you get on seeing as the GMC has a dead centre, as apposed to a live one.

They were on special at Bunnings today (I was at Granville / Auburn branch) but I didn't notice the price. Lots of other GMC stuff was also on special - e.g. 16" Scroll Saw $49, Twin pack consisting of Router Table and Router for $98, Thicknesser $199 plus others that I can't remember.

regards
Coldamus

If all you want to do is turn pens. Then have a look at the Carbatec Min Lathe. Around $220 at the Sydney show. Much better quality with cast iron bed etc.

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

Have a look at tritonwoodworkers.org.au for a 'jig' that allows you to easily mount a pen turning mandrel.

I have had mine now for 4 1/2 years (not that I use it anywhere near as much as I'd like) - turning is fun, one day I wish to get better. I've turned pens, table legs, even redgum spheres on it. There are much better ones out there, but I've enjoyed having my GMC one. Got me into things in more ways than most know.

To make the bench for my new lathe, I bought my first piece of Triton gear - the 2400W saw, and things just went from there. So I owe a big debt of gratitude to my GMC lathe!

BTW - it may be a cheap lathe, but coupled with good quality chisels, you can still turn out reasonable work.

Hi Stuart

I was having a look on the Triton Woodworkers Site to see how you mounted the pen mandril on the GMC lathe but couldn't find it.

I would be interested in seeing how you did it. I have a GMC lathe with a four jaw chuck.

$89 sounds like a bargin. Think i might finaly have to invest in a lathe and go grab one

Take a cheap drill apart, and mount it in the 4 jaw chuck. I'm sure you can buy a chuck, but I had a crappy drill that was better sacrificed this way, than simply deep sixing it. (Throwing overboard - ask Ashore )

The other end is definitely supported by the tail stock - not sure what 'live' vs not live is, but whatever the GMC is - it works.


Finished with ubeaut shellawax.

I bought the GMC lathe just over a year ago. At that time the special price was $69. Couldn't pass it up - although you get what you pay for, I saw this as a cheap way into lathes, which I use for chisel handles and similar small items.

The extension bed in not used and the steel base is bolted firmly to a bench. It workd with minimal vibration. As set up, it is fine for small items (and has certainly made me set my sights on a larger, quality machine). Here are a few items I have made. The awl is Tassie Blackwood, and the marking knife is Jarrah (this has got to be the BEST marking knife ever for dovetails).

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Marking%20and%20Measuring/AwlinTasBlackwood1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Marking%20and%20Measuring/Dovetailmarkingknife.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

At present I want to add a 4 jaw chuck. I have been warned off the GMC one that was designed for this lathe. What other makes will fit and which are recommended (plus price range)? I have no idea what features to look for, or the expected cost.



Regards from Perth

Derek