Thread: Burnt out my motor- shall I replace it or buy a new lathe?

Sounds kinda like you want to be told you need a new one. Seems you might have grown out of it too. A better quality lthe could be the go. My first lathe was a bit so-so. But good while I decided oif I really wanted to do this. Then I got something better. Second hand of need be.

I would LOVE being able to justify getting a new one! The thing is, I would only be able to afford a basic second hand one (again). So I am not sure if that is going to be all that much better than just doing up my old bodger.

I have decided that I really want to keep turning! It is such an amazing feeling, I find it truly therapeutic... but I cannot yet afford to get a really decent lathe (short of a miracle). So I guess my question is: is it justified getting another second hand basic lathe, or does it make more sense to replace/repair the motor? How much does a motor usually cost, I have not been able to see any reasonable and accurate figure so far!

First thing, engines run on petrol motors run on electricity, (pedantic I know I use to sell electric motors), it will cost a few hundred dollars to rewind the motor and then it will depend if you can get a new fan and fan cowl, there will be new bearings, copper wore and the labour to rewind it. if you had a three phase motor it would be throw it out and buy a new one because it will be cheaper the same will go for a standard single phase motor, BUT if your motor is special in any way, special end shields or a threaded or special sized shaft it will be cheaper to repair. Not an easy question to answer on a forum take the motor to a motor repairer/re-winder and ask them.

Hi My sugestion is to get another lathethe one you had is not worth fixing but dont give up on turning even if you have to save up I sugest you google Terry Scott in south Auckland and contact him he sells and trades he may have somthing that suits , He is allso a very good wood turner and will look after you.

cheers Ian

Terry Scott [email protected] Papakura

Serioulsy the dynalink lathes are a pretty crude item and the motor is probaly worth more than the rest of the lathe.

Have a look at carbatec NZ........ CARBA-TEC - Woodworking Tools and Woodworking Machines

that will at least give you an idea of what can be had for the price.

They will do the MC900......which is a pretty respoectable full sized beginner lathe for arround NZ$700.
Some people never see the need to go further than the MC900 and there may be a few out there second hand.

Another option is to go for a mini lathe....carbatec will do their entry level mini lathe, which looks like a knock off of a Jett mini lathe for arround NZ$400.

The mini lathes may be small and ya not going to swing a big bowl on one.....but they are a fine, compact, transportable machine that can doo some good work between centres.

I'm not sure who the other suual suspects are in NZ, but there have to be other woodwork suppliers over there.......and KIWIs are a mob of traders..so I am sure you should be able to scratch up some sort of used bargin somewhere.

cheers

Hi Oli, Not sure where you are in North of Auckland. If you are on the Shore, then I suggest joining the North Shore Woodturners Guild, North Shore Wood turning Guild.
Or join the Whangarei Guild details here NAW Club Contacts Northland
We find that members of the public often contact us with secondhand lathes for sale, before they go to TradeMe.
Also you will learn heaps faster when in amongst other turners on a weekly basis.
I'll also suggest talking to Grant at Carbatec 0800 444 329
There is a TL1500 on TradeMe at the moment, I turn on one of these. (have upgraded motor to 2HP three phase and variable speed controller).
Just be aware of what we call the "Vortex"
Cheers Ian

Oh look a bunch of NZ people. They don't often come out of the wood work. All in one place at least. Some contacts there oili! (Oiliver was a typo, wasn't it? A man after my own heart. ) Good luck on your search.

Originally Posted by TurnedByIan

Hi Oli, Not sure where you are in North of Auckland. If you are on the Shore, then I suggest joining the North Shore Woodturners Guild, North Shore Wood turning Guild.
Or join the Whangarei Guild details here NAW Club Contacts Northland
We find that members of the public often contact us with secondhand lathes for sale, before they go to TradeMe.
Also you will learn heaps faster when in amongst other turners on a weekly basis.
I'll also suggest talking to Grant at Carbatec 0800 444 329
There is a TL1500 on TradeMe at the moment, I turn on one of these. (have upgraded motor to 2HP three phase and variable speed controller).
Just be aware of what we call the "Vortex"
Cheers Ian

What is the "Vortex"? Do you get sucked into the spindle?

Originally Posted by Phil Spencer

What is the "Vortex"? Do you get sucked into the spindle?

Maybe you find yourself having bought a new pair of green boots and they aren't even your size.

Ollie,

The lathe is a Dynalink, ( junk misspelt) Seriously, they filled a market gap, but were never for a serious turner.

I would save your Pennies, and also join a club, you will have the use of their machines while you save for your own new machine, and get the bonus of the knowledge of the other members, and most clubs have courses for new turners.

VORTEX, definition "SUCKS YOU IN".

Best of luck,

Jeff
vk4

Wow thankyou for all awesome replies guys! Some of them have been really helpful, thankyou

Phil: my mistake on the engine vs motors, I thought I had got it right but I obviously missed myself there! If you are saying that it will cost a few hundred to rewind the motor, that is making me think I should just go for a new one altogether. Especially considering it was not the best to start with, and (to my mind) underpowered.


Ian thorn: Thanks for that contact, I will definitely be looking him up sometime soon. Trade ins sound pretty nice to me too!

Soundman: Seeing as it looks like I will be getting a new one the way things have been going, I will be sure to steer clear of Dynalink in the future. Does Carbatec have a bit more positive reputation then? For small pieces which would be best (I turn bowls and the occasional vase up to about 300mm, up to maybe 400mm long/deep) the mini or the full size? I'm just worried a mini wouldn't have enough grunt, especially on heavy green wood.

TurnedByIan: I am located in Helensville at the moment, so it is a bit of a toss-up between North Shore and Waitakere- they are both quite far away unfortunately! I would love to casually attend meetings, but I think it might be a bit of a stretch to attend as a full fledged member (while I am living in the Wops, anyways!). Thankyou very much for the hint regarding secondhand lathes. I will be sure to talk to Grant too, a Carbatec is looking more and more promising! (the TL1500 does look good, but I don't have that much money available just at the moment I will save up and see what happens)
Also, despite being a complete beginner, I, too have experienced the vortex's tendrils! Oooh, look at that sand paper on special. That mineral oil is cheap! A bag of old chisels at the hospice??- let me have a look!! Haha it doesn't help that my older brother is much the same way re: woodworking!


Tea lady: Isn't it great seeing all these kiwis show their faces! Usually I only see one or two about the place; this is giving me a bit of a boost, seeing lots of like-minded people.


Vk4: It really does seem that way, about the Dynalink brand Hindsight is 20-20, they say! Maybe the way to go will be to go to a club and pick up hints and tips (and use their lathes!) until I have saved enough to get another of my own. Seems like the way to go for now at least.



Thanks heaps everyone (Don't suppose any of you kiwis have a spare just sitting around in the garage do ya? )

TeaLady: Don't often have to comment as you Aussies tend to have all the answers sorted out by the time I read the thread

Oiliver, will ask at our Guild meeting Tuesday if someone has a boatanchor/dynalink stashed in a corner somewhere.
You won't go to far wrong with the TL1500, it's an oldie but goodie.
Also the MC900 isn't too bad considering the price. Carbatec here in Auckland has a very good rep.
Grant has sorta built a woodturning shop inside the main showroom and lots of woodturners pop in every day. He's figured out that we do spend money when looked after
Cheers Ian

Originally Posted by TurnedByIan

Oiliver, will ask at our Guild meeting Tuesday if someone has a boatanchor/dynalink stashed in a corner somewhere.

You, good sir, are fantastic! I think I would die of happiness if someone did haha!

I think that a visit to Carbatec HQ is on the horizon, even just for a poke about for a while...

And yes, I agree with TurnedByIan, you Fellas across the ditch are awfully quick to get in and reply, I'm always well impressed