Thread: GMC Woodlathe Suitable for lures?

Welcome Lure.

Do a search of the forum on GMC lathes.

The results often refer to boating.

Lure ,
in general , small things can be turned on big lathes , but the reverse is not necessarily true.
You may find , as many of us have , that even tho you set out to turn little things , you will want to have a crack at bigger stuff .

Keep that in mind , when considering your lathe

Welcome to the forum Lure.

apparently as a lathe, GMC lathes make pretty good disk sanders...

there are some pretty basic flaws with this lathe. Firstly, it is all tubular steel and wobbles around a lot. Secondly, it doesn't have a morse taper so drive dogs, live centres, etc all have to be GMC threaded ones (not easy to locate). The GMC chuck has 4 independant jaws which means it isn't self centering.

All in all, if you *really* only have the $99 it takes, then keep the items small and don't ask too much. If you can stretch to a couple of hundred dollars, there are *much* better options out there. The basic Carbatec one (the 10x18, I think it's called) is pretty cheap for small items, or the MC900 series can be had for $3-400, especially second hand.

Beware that accessories for these things are a bigger investment than the lathe. The only way to overcome this is to buy an expensive lathe - the rest then looks cheap

Cheers,
Dave

The GMC is the bottom of the range in lathes but it will turn lures and general small stuff.
If that is all you want to make then it will get you by but you will find its limitations if you get the turning bug and become more ambitious. GMC is no longer going so be aware that new lathes were about $100. Secondhand should be about $50 to $70 tops.
Regards
John

Cheers for the help fellas, Youve helped alot, Im thinking of purchasing a scroll saw as it will leave me with more options design wise. i Bought one of those Cheap ryobi bandsaws for the same purpose but that was the biggest FAIL ever. I know this is the wrong forum but anybody have experience with those scroll saws at Bunnings that are around $220

Cheers once again
Jaicob.

I think most will agree that they would make better anchors than lures

G'day Lure and welcome to the forums.

What lured you in??

I wouldn't even pay someone to own a GMC lathe!!!

Do you need a bandsaw or a scrollsaw or perhaps both??

Have a look at Hare 7 Forbes range of gear and also see Carba-Tec.

I think most will agree that they would make better anchors than lures

took the letters right off my key board

Originally Posted by hughie

took the letters right off my key board

There's a saying about great minds

about the only lures you will make on a lathe would be poppers etc, better off with a scrollsaw and a
dremmel......bob

Originally Posted by Lure

Cheers for the help fellas, Youve helped alot, Im thinking of purchasing a scroll saw as it will leave me with more options design wise. i Bought one of those Cheap ryobi bandsaws for the same purpose but that was the biggest FAIL ever. I know this is the wrong forum but anybody have experience with those scroll saws at Bunnings that are around $220

Cheers once again
Jaicob.

If you are talking about the ryobi scroll saws, I have one, and it isn't too bad. I added a set of holders for pinless blades (they come with some, but the add on ones are better. It does shake around a bit, but then I have always intended to bolt it down with some rubber between the saw and the table. I probably shouldn't winge about vibration until I've done that.

Peter

Yeh thanks, i was talking about the ryobis.
At the moment i have been using my good ol knife. Just can get annoying at times trying to whittle down 2" piece to under 1"
ill hopefully pick up one of those ryobi ones after Xmas just a bit hesitant after my experience with the Band saw =(
Thats the downfall of a lathe your pretty limited to walk the dog, minnow type lures.

Thanks for the help guys.
Jaicob.

Lure,
Have a look at this For the segmented turning mob. - Woodwork Forums
We may all have been a bit harsh on those lathes.
Regards
John

Penstate have some kits for lures you might want to look at .