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14th June 2021, 07:12 PM #1New Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2021
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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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14th June 2021 07:12 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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14th June 2021, 10:31 PM #2
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
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15th June 2021, 07:49 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
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- Oct 2018
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- Dandenong Ranges
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- 1,892
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
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15th June 2021, 09:15 AM #4SENIOR MEMBER
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- Sep 2010
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- Port Sorell, Tasmania
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- 592
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
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15th June 2021, 09:24 AM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2014
- Location
- Geelong, Victoria
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- 284
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
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15th June 2021, 10:06 AM #6
Welcome to the forum
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15th June 2021, 11:24 AM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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- Oct 2019
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- Brisbane, Australia
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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.
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17th June 2021, 06:17 AM #8Senior Member
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- NSW
- Posts
- 489
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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