Thread: cheap wood lathe wanted

Pops shed has these
http://popsshed.com.au/Product_Main....scid=56&pid=23

And they will ship.

Thye used to have a deal where a chuck was included, ask Brian when you ring him for a package deal.

Whats the budget? This will then indicate what you should/can buy.

You really need to work out what sort of turning you wish to do as that will dictate the size of lathe you require. Most beginners can do a good range of work on midi size lathes - VL100/150 or M305 class lathes.

Search Gumtree & Ebay. Often very good quality second hand wood lathes from quality Australian manufacturers come up at good prices. Names like Tough, Vicmarc & Woodfast are well worth a look. Recently saw 2 VL200's in QLD as low as $850.

Larger lathes with mechanical variable speed or conventional belt change VL200's, or M908/M910's appear regularly and can be purchased from $500 to $2k with some tools, face plates, & chuck/s.

Mid range lathes like the VL100 appear as well. Plenty of mini & midi lathes can be purchased new from $450 up. Allow at least another $500 for reasonable to good quality tools and another $500 or so for a good quality scroll chuck & 200 mm bench grinder.

Plenty of very reputable sponsors on WWF's will assist. There are also lathes like the MC900 / MC1100 clones which will preform reasonably well but will relatively quickly start giving you hassles with the reeves drive. Plenty of Chinese/Tiawanese heavy cast iron lathe clones available in the $1500 to $2500 bracket. Please steer away from the under $200 light sheet metal fabricated lathes.

I echo what Mobyturns says above.

I think the best bang for your $ is old cast iron, preferably heavy, with step pulleys and a motor below or behind. If you are mechanically inclined, ugly lathes can be had for good prices and with some tuning and oiling work for years.

If the motor dies it can be easily replaced. If you want variable speed that can be added.

Lathes with beds made of square or round tubing will vibrate and make turning unpleasant.

It would be best to use several lathes doing what you propose to make before buying.