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Thread: Lathes for Pen Turning?
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20th November 2020, 01:07 PM #16
For a pen lathe where much of the work is done with a relatively short, fixed link (the mandrel) between drive & tail-spurs, alignment is a concern.
No matter what brand lathe you buy, I recommend taking a couple of good drive spurs and fitting one in the headstock and one in the tailstock. Then slide the tailstock back and forth a good 6" or more, trying to make the spur tips "kiss" each time.
If you really have to fiddle with it to make 'em kiss consistently, then move along, move along. This is not the lathe you are looking for.
The ideal lathe would kiss points each and every time without any effort at all, Of course, this doesn't mean that the bed will be true when you move the tailstock back a few inches, into it's 'operating position' but it's still a good, cheap indicator of machining quality.
(No-one actually turns with the points kissing, of course. Unless they're a quantum turner? But they're non-newtonian so don't count. )
I shouldn't have to point out that it's best to test the actual lathe you're taking home and not just a shop display. (Although I just did. )
Odds are good that the machining of the ways is a bit hit & miss as well... the spacing between them, at least. I'm guessing the boss has been reduced to prevent obvious intermittent binding/slack between the ways & boss when moving the tailstock.
Instead they'd be counting on the spacer of the clamping nut to hold the tailstock mid-point between each way.
- Andy Mc
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20th November 2020 01:07 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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29th November 2020, 10:18 PM #17SENIOR MEMBER
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Did you make the purchase yet?????
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30th November 2020, 05:28 AM #18
I'm not sure that the bedway is necessarily a major issue. Sure there is likely to be some wear. My previous lathe was exactly the same and after 4 years of turning small bowls, boxes and innumerable pens it never became an issue. My brand new W385 - WL-14V Mini Wood Lathe | Machineryhouse is the same with only a small bedway guide, however the foot of the tail-stock is longer than on my previous lathe and tends to be better aligned straight out of the box. If I were doing heavy duty turnings then yes I would no doubt like to see a more robust bedway guide. These lathes are primarily used for small turnings and as such they are built to that end.
I looked at the new Record Power and Carbatec lathes here in NZ, much recommended brands and they have the same issue. Like most Asian produced products they are built to a price point. I am more than happy with the lathe I have just acquired and will be turning many a pen a small box as well as lamp shade stands and pens. Should an issue arise with the bedway I will report back here so others can make there own decision re lathe purchase.
Personally the Machinery house offerings seem to be pretty good value and you get a lot of lathe for your hard earned dollars.Dust Mite...Terrorising noses for the discerning...
Pirongia Pens & Woodcraft
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30th November 2020, 07:01 AM #19
DM it is good for potential purchasers to get a balanced view on the merits or potential flaws of what is for many a "big ticket" item. I agree that some of the importers do have better specification machines and better quality control, but not always consistency in both.
I have seen what I would consider to be incredible wear on some lathes in a communal workshop scenario, some definitely due to misuse but mostly because "they are built to a price point." Perhaps the wrong selection for such a heavy wear & tear environment. Two units suffered badly in under two years of use, however four VL100's have seen more than 20 years of service in the very same situation. Other new "Asian produced products" that were very ordinary right from delivery. Bit of a lottery in some ways. Others that cause havoc because they constantly "trip" earth leakage protection devices. Most "bog down" on quite small bowl turning projects even when the turner is making conservative cuts.
One thing that is very certain is that many turners would not have access to their own lathe, chucks and tools without "Asian produced products." My observations are that for many an "old" VL100 6 speed lathe would be a far more suitable lathe for them & their turning project preferences. They then have the opportunity to upgrade to EVS later. Its simply another option, and a very sound and less frustrating option for many.Last edited by Mobyturns; 30th November 2020 at 02:41 PM. Reason: typos
Mobyturns
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30th November 2020, 11:10 AM #20Senior Member
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No - I got forked over by Timbecon's "Saturday Morning Garage Sale" where they started allowing people to buy items well before Saturday morning including the lathe. They might have cleared out some unwanted demo and refurbished stock but they got a lot of customers offside in the process. They won't have stock of the lathe again until mid-January.
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30th November 2020, 02:39 PM #21
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