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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    1

    Default Beginner Turner Need Help on Decision

    Hi All,

    I am looking for a lathe to get started on but not too sure on which one to choose I have narrowed my options down to these two. But please if you have another suggestion I would love to know. My budget is $1000 I already have a set of carbide tools so need lathe and Chuck. I mainly want to make goblets and cups but also want to get into making bowls and vases.


    Thanks All.


    HAFCO WOOD LATHE $650.00
    WL-18 - Swivel Head Wood Lathe

    Ø310mm Swing x 900mm Between Centres
    Variable Speed 500 ~ 2000rpm & Swivelling Headstock


    Features
    • Cast iron construction, bed, head and tailstock
    • Variable speed control 500-2000rpm
    • Swivelling headstock can be locked in position
    • Outboard tool rest extension
    • Dust proof magnetic switch
    • Headstock and tailstock have 2 Morse tapers, 1" x 10tpi spindle thread


    Includes


    • Bowl turning attachment
    • Faceplate
    • Drive & live centres
    • Tool rest
    • Stand


    OR

    CARBA-TEC MC900 $740


    • 3/4HP induction motor
    • Split pulley system produces variable speed range
    • MT2 morse taper
    • M30 x 3.5 spindle thread
    • 10mm hole through headstock

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Towradgi
    Posts
    4,835

    Default

    Both need work to stabilize and the lowest speed is "Adventuress" for beginner bowl turners. Th Carbatec does use the now standard spindle size, M30x3.5, 25mm tool post and MT2.
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Dandenong Ranges
    Posts
    1,865

    Default

    Hi J. I always think you are better off spending the same amount of money and purchasing a 2nd hand lathe. You will nearly always get plenty of accessories thrown in and end up with a better unit. You might have to be patient though

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Port Sorell, Tasmania
    Posts
    592

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mountain Ash View Post
    Hi J. I always think you are better off spending the same amount of money and purchasing a 2nd hand lathe. You will nearly always get plenty of accessories thrown in and end up with a better unit. You might have to be patient though
    I agree, I picked up a second hand lathe for less than half the price of a new one with a few extras thrown in. Had to watch gumtree for several months for the right one to turn up.
    Mine has a one hp motor and at times I find its not big enough, I wouldn't go less than one hp if you want to turn larger bowls and vases.
    You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. ~Oscar Wilde

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Geelong, Victoria
    Posts
    282

    Default

    I think these lathes are very similar and have a basic set of features suitable for a beginning turner. A lot of people - including me - start out with a unit like this. Most of those who stay with turning will upgrade to a more robust model, particularly if turning bowls. The reeves drive (cone pully variable speed system) is ok within limitations. Effectively you can only change speed while the lathe is running so you need to remember to set it to slow before mounting an unbalanced piece or it gets very exciting very fast.
    You probably won’t use the swivel head very much if at all because the lathe is too lightweight and the motor too small for larger bowl projects.
    I would second Mountain Ash in looking for a more robust machine second hand.
    Bruce

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    940

    Default

    Welcome to the forum

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Age
    43
    Posts
    519

    Default

    Gday Jayseus

    I bought the Hafco mini lathe over Xmas and started a bit of turning. I think the components are very similar. It was mainly intended for small projects, particularly re-making tool handes and small parts for woodworking like handles. From the specs and photos they seem very similar.

    Depending on where you live, I joined the Woodturners Society which has a hall with a large number of lathes at Greenslopes. I have found it absolutely fantastic for starting out. Going in and trying the big, top of the line, lathes, also gives you a very good sense quickly of what differences they make.

    My experience has been frankly that:

    - Especially as a beginner you need easy variable speed control. Until you develop a bit of experience you have no idea what speed works for different radiuses / work. Don't even think about one where you need to change the pulleys to change speed.

    - I've been overall very pleased. The only real problem with the lathe is the vibration is huge particularly until it gets round but the only solution is piling on mass. If you make it massively heavy you won't be able to move it. Adding more mass to resist vibration is not simply a case of improvement but of trade-off.

    - You will quickly realise that bigger is better once you find your feet.

    - You need a sharpening system as much as a lathe. I have a Tormek and had adverse views on it for general woodworking (chisels, planes etc) but when you start trying to sharpening turning tools, it all clicked onto place.

    I strongly think with turning you just need to get started and stuck in - whether it's buying a basic lathe, going to the Society or another place you can try a lathe, et cetera. Until then it would be like trying to decide on a car to buy, before you have learnt to drive. Once you've started driving you'll realise what you want.

    EDIT: And also, if you buy, buy a big mill file as well. The corners and edges of the assembly will be rough - you are not paying for anything other than rough casting. Round and smooth all edges on the housing and tool rests before you start trying to move around or use.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    489

    Default

    What Cgcc said about easy variable speed and a sharpening system is dead right. You can't turn wood with blunt tools, well, no, that's wrong. You can turn wood with blunt tools but you will not enjoy the experience. There are more sharpening systems on the market than fleas on a dog. Some are cheap and some are expensive. I use a wet-stone grinder that looks like a Tormek but came from Total Tools for about 1/4 of the price. It sharpens tools. That's all that matters. I have a cheap little Hafco lathe with electronic variable speed. I turn the knob clockwise for turning pens, counterclockwise for applying finish. Changing speeds should be that easy, if you have to change belt positions all the time you end up compromising and that sometimes doesn't work out too well for a beginner. You always need to know where the "STOP" switch is......

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