Thread: Cabatec lathe

Whilst I haven't studied this lathe in detail, Hare & Forbes have a very similar model, the WL46. It has a 2hp variable speed motor (2 ranges) 4" tailstock travel etc.

At least one guy on Penturners Paradise pen forum speaks very highly of the equivalent model he purchased in Canada. He does bowl turning on it as well as pepper mills and pens.

The H&F model is on special atm for $1650, might be worth a look.

Specs look good, you really need to at least play with one, if not actually turn something.

Would be nice to know distance between centers. Nothing like being 3 cm too short to make a table leg.

450 RPM is a bit uncomfortable for me with an out of balance chunk of stump.

I turn bowls from gnarly chunks of crotch wood and stumps, dragged out of the wood pile, with enough extraneous hacked off so it doesn't hit the bed. You may use tidier, balanced blanks.

<table class="spectable" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="95%"><tbody><tr><td class="speccell" width="50%">swing over bed</td> <td class="speccell" width="50%">406mm</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell" height="22">bed length</td> <td class="speccell">1100mm</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">spindle thread</td> <td class="speccell">M30 x 3.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">hole through tailstock</td> <td class="speccell">9.5mm</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">spindle RPM</td> <td class="speccell">variable - 450 to 3000rpm</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">indexing positions</td> <td class="speccell">36</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">morse taper</td> <td class="speccell">MT2</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">headstock movement</td> <td class="speccell">swivels 360° and slides</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">motor</td> <td class="speccell">1-1/2hp 240v</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">net weight</td> <td class="speccell">160kg</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">shipping weight</td> <td class="speccell">185kg</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="speccell">packing size</td> <td class="speccell">1900 x 750 x 800mm</td></tr></tbody></table>

Hi Bowl basher,
That Lathe seems to be OK, but have a look at the Big Jet Lathe. They did come down to approx. $2200, but that was at the Melb. Wood Show 2008.
If you want to up the ante, go for the Vicmarc 175. I think they are approx. $3200.
You wouldn't call the Queen your Aunty with one of them.
Both of these have the same as the C/Tec Lathe, although the Jet Head slides to the end of the bed, so you have all that distance to the floor.
Well that's my bit.
Regards,
issatree.
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Thanks Guys
I have had the lathe running at the store and the 450 rpm is the top of the low range I actualy had it running at 35rpm and there was no way I could even slow it down putting pressure on the chuck with a wrap of cloth.. had a look at the Hare & forbes one and am not impressed with the finish or the locking detail of the head also the Carbatec head slides to any point along the bed I see this as a major plus but I may be wrong have been many times before and probably will be again
Havent had a look at the Jet, who sells them in Sydney????
thanks again for all your imput as you all know it is a chunk of money and a big decision as I hope this will last me for the rerst of my turning days
Bowl-Basher

Also keep in mind that you could buy a very decent secondhand lathe for $2.5k. You might have to bide your time until one comes up (but there is going to be more in Sydney than most other cities), but you would definitely end up with a lathe that would see you out if you got a good buy.

....

Also keep in mind that you could buy a very decent secondhand lathe for $2.5k. You might have to bide your time until one comes up (but there is is going to be more in Sydney than most other cities), but you would definitely end up with a lathe that would see you out if you got a good buy.

This makes good sense and could well end up with a far better lathe in the long run. At the end of the day if the second had lathe has been looked after. There will little wrong with than maybe a noisy bearing or two.This may seem a major problem but if you get it for a good price because of this you will win further, bearings are easy fixed/replaced.

Originally Posted by bowl-basher

Thanks Guys
I have had the lathe running at the store and the 450 rpm is the top of the low range I actualy had it running at 35rpm and there was no way I could even slow it down putting pressure on the chuck with a wrap of cloth.
Bowl-Basher

This is a big plus. The three year warranty is nice. I can see that having the headstock at the end of the bed would be useful.

Assuming quality control is good, new is very nice if one likes to set up the lathe and turn wood.

On the other hand if one is patient and willing to look at a lot of lathes, wonderful bargains can be had.

I bought a Hegner 175, (350mm swing) with stout shop made bench, Oneway chuck, Oneway live center set, 8 inch grinder with WOLVERINE Grinding System and the fixed bowl gouge grinding jig. Also 3 walnut crotches.

All the stuff was almost new, some bits still new in box, and the seller (second owner) had the outfit for 6 years and had not used anything but the grinder.

I got it all for $600 and I was not holding a gun.

After turning for years with inadequate lathes and no chuck, this upped my enjoyment and output considerably. I make bowls and weed pots.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hi Bowl Basher,

I also have been looking at this lathe and I would appreciate some feedback if you go ahead & purchase one. Like you said, it's a fairly substantial outlay & it would be nice to here from someone that has used one before making that decision.

Cheers,
Nev.

A couple of points i would make are

The method of tightening the swivel head - if "cam lock" same as hafco MC900 clone is prone to loosen when load (slight out of balance) is high.

The banjo for the tool rest appears too light to use in outboard position - extended as far as possible from bed. I think the vibration would be too much for suuccesful turning.

What is the method of tightening the toolrest & tailstock to bed.

Compare these points to a Vicmark, Stubby or similar.

Would it be possible to use a VIcmark or Stubby Tool rest banjo.

Cheers

Does that lathe use the Reeves Pulley system? I couldn't get to the carbatec website to check. If so, i'd be hesitant to spend that amount on that system. I'm ok with it on my cheapy MC1100, but if I was spending that sort of money I'd probably look at the Nova DVR XP for $3200 delivered at Carrolls. They are a nice unit If I could stretch further, probably a VL175, but then you'd have to build the stand for the one that's reasonably close in price...

Cheers,
Dave

I'm an idiot.

Didn't see the "Electronic Variable Speed" thing... Feel free to ignore me

Hi bowl-basher,
Like Calm has said, buy a slightly cheaper Lathe & you get slightly cheaper parts.
If you look around there are a lot of Lathes for sale, 2nds that is. I think you should save up & go for a VL175 or the Jet. I have used both of these in the past, & can't fault them except the price of the Vicmarc VL175. Half the the time you can't hear them going, that's the way they are engineered.
As for bearings, I own a "Tough Lathe". It travels on 3000rpm most days it is used, & that is often, & I have never had a problem with bearings, but I do maintain them once a year ?. I bought it new in 1990 for $1010. Have never had a problem with it.
The Nova was mentioned, hoping the V/S has changed, as you had to thumb the speed up & down, where most of the others have a knob to turn.
I've said enough.
Regards,
issatree.








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Originally Posted by Paul39

I can see that having the headstock at the end of the bed would be useful.

Yes, this allows you to turn larger bowls/platters, but then you have to buy or make an outrigger to be able to do this (having eliminated the toolrest on the bed option in this position). Vicmarc have a good looking one for a mere $600....

.....

I had a look at the C-T lathe a couple of years ago with a very competent and very experienced turner. His objections were:

#casting around the headstock is very light

#Swivel head uses cam-lock.

#Slowest speed far too fast for large blanks.

Banjo, toolrest and extension too light for outboard work.


The Hafco lathe is much more heavily constructed, the low speed is 100rpm, the headsttosck and motor travel to the other end of the bed for outboard turning.The machine is a take on the big Jet Lathes.It is, in my opinion, a far superior machine to the C_T.

I have seen this model ( different brand) sold and demonstrated by David Drescher of South East Qld. Woodturning Supplies. Quite impressed. A couple of mates have brought them from him and are more than happy