Thread: ...a beginner's lathe?

Originally Posted by wolften

Some very good advice there guys.
I am fairly sure Dave from SE QLD woodturners will get some more of my dollars next year.
I was also thinking of doing a Tafe woodturning course to give me a leg up, but The Woodturners' Society of Queensland is in Pine St., Greenslopes might get the nod from me, as Artme suggested.
My FIL has an old myford metal lathe that he doesn't use anymore, got it from his FIL. I thought about using it, but methinks it would be too complicated to use for this dumbass chippy
Thanks again
Cheers

Glenn

Hey Glenn,

If you find Greenslopes is a bit of a trip to get to. Rob MCkee who teaches there also teaches at the Eagleby Learning centre and this is government subsidised.


Cheers

Hi all,
A "Tough Lathe" will cost you $5 / 600. I put Variable on my Lathe, SEW Uruo Drive, Probably $500 by now, 3Ph. 2HP motor $10, Pot $10, find a friendly Electrician $30+, & that is all you will ever want.
Read the Forum on " The Tough by Tea Lady", & I also added a bit.
Regards,
issatree.
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Hi Glenn - to add my little bit:

My Father had metal lathes and I seem to recall that they run more slowly than wood lathes. From memory, 1000 rpm was pretty fast on his lathe.

I have been using the Hare & Forbes equivalent of the MC900 up until recently, and it was always better than I was. Yes, I had to clean out and service the speed change mechanism (it was a lot better when I took the belt cover off and let the sawdust blow away instead of get trapped inside it). And yes, the lowest speed was sometimes too fast for lumpy stuff - I have used my electric chain saw to rough chunks down to size on occasion.

I was very lucky to have bought an excellent chuck (Vicmark VM100) without knowing much about them at the time - I am convinced that the cheap lathe is good enough for some time if you have a good chuck on it, a few good tools, and some lessons up front. Lessons also make it a lot safer and give you more confidence.

cheers, Colin

Yes iv'e have had my mc 1100 for mmm What 10 or more years now , and i just turned a tide clock that's just under 400 mm or 15 3/4 inches . It was out board ( to the side ) at about 30 deg . Was it fun no more than usual for some thing that size aaaaaaaa (and yes it does need a prop under the rest in that position ern ) ill make one after christmas .

Good luck with the lathe selection wolften, my only advice is stay away from the home made types. Get something that will have interchangable accessories.

...points taken guys...thanks for the input.

Glenn

A dollar short and a day late, but +1 for the MC900 and various incarnations. The only difference is the paint color. I'd deep-six the elbow tool rest for odd situations - it seems designed to fail; build something more robust instead.

Cheers,
Joe