Thread: Cheap lathe died, looking for a replacement

The Hare and forbes (Machinery House) WL-14, is under your budget, EVS etc, but to short a bed. I have attached the link to 3 possibilities

WL-14 - W385 - WL-14V Mini Wood Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
WL-18 - W382 - WL-18 Swivel Head Wood Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
WL-20 - W384 - WL-20 Swivel Head Wood Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse

Check em out. I own a WL-14 and love it.

I have just done a deal with a mate and scored a WL-14 to teach my daughter woodturning.
She found my Wadkin RS a bit intimidating and the Goldie x Patternmaking from Ultimo tafe is just a beast.
So far I’m happy with it, everything appears well made and works as it should with enough weight to not require bolting down at this stage.
Ive modified the shape of the toolrests, even made a longer one so we can turn some chair legs without adjusting the banjo. I made a short bed extension from angle iron to accommodate their length.
I find the variable speed control a bit fiddly but am now used to it. I guess how long this will operate is my main concern. This being a made in China machine.
The thread size is a better one than the other 2 mentioned by fumbler, I picked up a larger faceplate no probs. The #2 Morse tapers are again what you need.
So at the price these seem ok but time will tell.
Ive had a few older Woodfast thru my hands over the years but wanted something a bit smaller so that my daughter can keep this if she gets into it.
H.

Originally Posted by Fumbler

The Hare and forbes (Machinery House) WL-14, is under your budget, EVS etc, but to short a bed. I have attached the link to 3 possibilities

WL-14 - W385 - WL-14V Mini Wood Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
WL-18 - W382 - WL-18 Swivel Head Wood Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
WL-20 - W384 - WL-20 Swivel Head Wood Lathe | Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse

Check em out. I own a WL-14 and love it.

Cheers! I had completely forgotten to check H&F [emoji14]
Yeah, the WL-14 looks like a good option, probably the best if I'm going new.

I'm looking at a few 2nd handers at the moment.
Found an old Woodfast X150 for $500 including a chuck. Apparently is in good working condition, but looks like it needs a lot of clean up.
Also found a Jet Jwl 1236 (older blue, not white) in good condition for $600

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Originally Posted by clear out

I have just done a deal with a mate and scored a WL-14 to teach my daughter woodturning.
She found my Wadkin RS a bit intimidating and the Goldie x Patternmaking from Ultimo tafe is just a beast.
So far I’m happy with it, everything appears well made and works as it should with enough weight to not require bolting down at this stage.
Ive modified the shape of the toolrests, even made a longer one so we can turn some chair legs without adjusting the banjo. I made a short bed extension from angle iron to accommodate their length.
I find the variable speed control a bit fiddly but am now used to it. I guess how long this will operate is my main concern. This being a made in China machine.
The thread size is a better one than the other 2 mentioned by fumbler, I picked up a larger faceplate no probs. The #2 Morse tapers are again what you need.
So at the price these seem ok but time will tell.
Ive had a few older Woodfast thru my hands over the years but wanted something a bit smaller so that my daughter can keep this if she gets into it.
H.

Have you got a picture of the goldie x patternmaking one from Ultimo tafe? I too went to that tafe as patternmaker, in the early 80s and can't remember it. Maybe it was no longer there then.

Here it is.
It May have been made by the Tech itself.
It is a bit of a mixture with a cast rear leg and fabricated front.
Steel section bed ways.
Origonal tool rest not currently in use.
I fitted the C&H variable speed unit, it had a huge old 3 phase motor.
There was at least two when they auctioned of the gear, the other went to Randwick TAFE from memory.
I really like the hand brake but in my rust prone shed it has to be polished when not in use.
This was swapped to a mate for the new one for my daughter, plus a Hammond Compi saw that was also extraneous to my ‘shop.
H.

Well, I went and saw the Jet JWL 1236 and it was in immaculate condition. I was eager, but still hesitant. After some haggling I managed to get it down to $450. And now I have it in my workshop!!

Originally Posted by clear out

I have just done a deal with a mate and scored a WL-14 to teach my daughter woodturning.
She found my Wadkin RS a bit intimidating and the Goldie x Patternmaking from Ultimo tafe is just a beast.
So far I’m happy with it, everything appears well made and works as it should with enough weight to not require bolting down at this stage.
Ive modified the shape of the toolrests, even made a longer one so we can turn some chair legs without adjusting the banjo. I made a short bed extension from angle iron to accommodate their length.
I find the variable speed control a bit fiddly but am now used to it. I guess how long this will operate is my main concern. This being a made in China machine.
The thread size is a better one than the other 2 mentioned by fumbler, I picked up a larger faceplate no probs. The #2 Morse tapers are again what you need.
So at the price these seem ok but time will tell.
Ive had a few older Woodfast thru my hands over the years but wanted something a bit smaller so that my daughter can keep this if she gets into it.
H.

Hey clear out, how did you modify the tool rests for the WL-14? I know what I think they need but I'm curious what others think.

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Originally Posted by clear out

Here it is.
It May have been made by the Tech itself.
It is a bit of a mixture with a cast rear leg and fabricated front.
Steel section bed ways.
Origonal tool rest not currently in use.
I fitted the C&H variable speed unit, it had a huge old 3 phase motor.
There was at least two when they auctioned of the gear, the other went to Randwick TAFE from memory.
I really like the hand brake but in my rust prone shed it has to be polished when not in use.
This was swapped to a mate for the new one for my daughter, plus a Hammond Compi saw that was also extraneous to my ‘shop.
H.

Thanks for posting, pretty cool lathe and yes must have been before my time at Ultimo tafe, I don't remember seeing it there.
Cheers.

Originally Posted by Redbeard

Hey clear out, how did you modify the tool rests for the WL-14? I know what I think they need but I'm curious what others think.

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Here’s a few photos of the end section of the tool rests I modified.
I felt the flat top was too wide and would inhibit one changing the height of attack using different tools.
The second photo is the short one which I did first and I’ll have another go at making it round on top.
I do like the smooth back edge which is a good guide for straight runs.
I made up a rough extension to fit the chair front legs plus a tool rest to do them in one go.
Welded up the stand from old scrap in the stash, the bolts push out of the rubber feet ok and can be replaced with longer to bolt thru the frame. I’ll paint it now the height is ok, my daughter is my height so that works for us both.
Even with the extremely crude funnel the dusty picks up all sanding dust, chips no, but they’re not as injurious for ones health.
H.

Well, I checked out the Jet JWL 1236 and it was in immaculate condition. Used only a few times, but the guy had cherished it and kept it beautifully. And after negotiating it down to $450 I was happy. So now it's set up in my workshop and I is a happy camper [emoji16]

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And here she is

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