Thread: GMC Lathe - good/bad?

Hi Guys
Re the dust extraction and turning most dust extractors only work if located in another room as the harmful particals are blown out through the bag on extractor. I use a Air flow filter when working only use dust extractor for cleen up after sweeping up the bigger stuff, I also have installed just above working area a room filter which opperates for 2 hours after I leave the workshop this removes most of the airborn dust in room. Yes these units are cumbersome but I seem to breath easier and dont have so much conjestion now I anm using this set up , happy turning
cheers Tony

Smidsy.
I thought about putting a large extraction port behind or underneath the lathe but after about a weeks experience on the lathe I knew it was a lost cause. Mine is only the 1hp model from Gasweld and the only shavings it will intercept are the ones that are heading roughly in the direction of the pipe. It will, however, extract dust very well. The extractor is in the laundry so any dust that does get through the bag is no problem.
Because of the window directly behind my lathe I can see the dust very clearly and the two 90mm pipes I have installed pull dust from about a 1 metre area. I have one of those IPlex 90mm-40mm pipe reduction fittings (a couple of dollars) with a vacuum hose attached. I plug it into the 90mm pipe when I have finished for the day or need to get rid of excess shavings. The suction reduces a hell of a lot but it is good enough to clean up the area around the bench and floor.

Hei Adrian,
My set up is somewhat temporary because we'll be moving in the next 6 months and it simply doesn't allow for an extractor inside or outside.

When we move I plan on building an "out shed" next to my shed to house the compressor and dust extractor - I'll do this for both noise and dust.
I think (I may be wrong) that it's mainly the dust and small particles that we need to worry about, so as long as an extractor will get those, I think the issue of shavings is a side issue.
One thing I had thought of doing is clipping a vacuum hose on my roughing gouge because I find that the really bulk amounts of mess are made during the roughing.
To be honest I am not overly fussed about the mess because that is part of the fun of the lathe - although I do use an air hose to clean my lathe at the end of each session.
Cheers
Smidsy

Originally Posted by smidsy

One thing I had thought of doing is clipping a vacuum hose on my roughing gouge because I find that the really bulk amounts of mess are made during the roughing.

Cheers
Smidsy

I saw in another newsgroup where someone had made a gouge from a metal tube tipped with tool steel and then attached a vacuum hose to the end, supposedly worked very well at catching the chips.

Dust.... the down side to woodworking.

Like the idea of turning the GMC type lathe in to a disk sander. Does anyone else have any ideas for turning this head stock and motor in to something usefull?

I was thinking of attaching two buffing disks to mine that's just siting in the garage collecting dust (and that's not wood dust)

Kev

You could stand the head stock on its end and use it as a potters wheel.
Cheers
Paul
(AKA Smidsy)

Well this being my first post, perhaps I shouldn't go all out...

I realy don't see what is so bad about a cheap GMC lathe! Sure you could use it for an anchor, but face reality.. An anchor is _more_ expencive!

It's a cheap piece of poop and I've spent more on my chisels (which I should add aren't exactly expencive either) than I have on the lathe, how can one complain when faced with costs like that?

I think my GMC lathe is even more wonderful now after hearing your ideas for its uses after it has worn out its use as a lathe (no doubt when I want something bigger) and since it's only $99 I'll certainly find something good to do with it. But as for now, I'm a very content amateur to this hobby/business and I will definantly be asking your advise on what I should upgrade to in the future (eg, when I break this lathe!).

When you decide you want to upgrade there is no competition, the MC900 is the way to go.
Do a search here on the MC900 and you'll see why.
Cheers
Paul

The first thing google found was a bicycle...

http://www.newagemultimedia.com/woodwork/lathes.html

Thats what I found after some looking, and I must say it does lot a LOT more solid than a GMC lathe, thats for sure. However the $449 is steep compared to $99.. However when I do decide to upgrade it looks like my choice has been made for me!


Out of curiosity, what do you think will happen to the GMC lathe after a while? I know the ways are shocking, and whoever designed them should be shot, but apart from that I can't realy see much of a problem with it.. Baring in mind all I'm good at is computers and fixing fax machines and printers so my knowledge of mechanics is only fairy rescently obtained and rather limited at this stage.. Give me a month or two

Not sure where you got the $449 from, Carbatec are showing it for $379. The current blurb from Carbatec WA shows a deal with the lathe plus a chsel set ($99 retail) and a chuck ($150 retail) for $459. The chisel set in the deal is chinese but a great beginners set, the chuck is a chinese copy of the Bonham, worth realistically about $70 and a good start for beginners.
It's true that the MC and the GMC are both lathes, but it's like saying a postie bike and 500cc GP racer are both motor bikes.
One thing to remember about the MC900 is that it is sold in various colours by lots of places so you can shop around and get a good deal.

Cheers
Smidsy

Know what you're saying Smidsy, but a postie bike
* is cheap to buy second hand and readily available
* is the most common bike in the country
* runs well on the smell of an oily rag
* is easy and cheap to get parts for
* is capable of tours of several thousand k's
* is known to have clocked up as much as 70k k before a rebuild!

So the MC900 is the postie bike of lathes, and the GMC a motorised pushbike ;-}

rsser, aka Ern

First off Smidsy, I got the price from the URL I posted..

Hehehe I like this place - there's currently 4 dismembered postie bikes in my back yard (a postman lives here) so I find all these bike->lathe comparisons amusing!

A Little story about the GMC that couldn't.

The first tail stock for my lathe broke the first time I used it - it wasn't cast properly and simply snapped when I screwed it into the wood a bit.

I got the replacement a week and a bit later! Of course some stupid courier has dropped it, so the plastic (joy..) handle had partially broken.. Thankfully I'm good with staples and a soldering iron

Even after all this crap, I'm still impressed with a $99 lathe Though I'm sure when I get a '600cc' lathe, I'll complain and whinge about my motorised bicycle and will promptly turn it into a sanding anchor. :P

Hei Ern,
Are you describing a postie bike or my ex - although she wasn't cheap to run.

In regard to the MC900 Deviate, look around because you'll do a better price than that. There's Carbatec in Sydney (Auburn wherever that is) and the MC900 is sold in various colours by a few places so you can do yourself a good deal.
When you get the MC900 you'll have to write us a review and give us some direct comparisons between the two.
Cheers
Paul
(AKA Smidsy)

Sounds like a plan! I'm hoping to get away with this lathe for a few months... But that probably won't happen