Thread: New Lathe for beginner

Heh. The Hafco link gives me an error.

That Carbatec lathe is what is generally called an MC-900. It's a fairly common blue-print that has been copied by many, many makers with varying degrees of quality.

It is pretty much the absolute minimum entry-level lathe for a new woodturner. At 3/4HP it's a bit underpowered for larger pieces, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The MC-900's are what I recommend to new turners who aren't really sure whether they're going to be long-term turners. It'll do most things a beginner is interested in - more if you also buy a suitable chuck - and if they lose interest in the hobby isn't that much of a kick to the wallet.

Once a turner gains skills, then it's time to look at a better lathe that is better suited to the type of turning they've become hooked on.

I learned on one and still have two of them even now; they're both useful to me at various times although they've been rather modified..



If you buy an MC-900 - any MC-900 - it's best to buy in person and buy the lathe you're looking at.

First thing you want to do is put a drive-spur in the headstock and a tail-spur in the tailstock, then slide the tailstock up until the tips of the spurs are almost kissing. Look for any vertical misalignment. If there is any, look at another lathe. Seriously. Just move on and save yourself some grief.

Then look at the horizontal alignment. Hopefully that's pretty good too, but it's not as critical. Because the headstock will swivel around, for outboard turning, you can generally adjust this.

Loosen the headstock release and make sure you can align the points properly and that it doesn't pull out of alignment when you tighten the headstock again.

If that works, loosen the heastock again, pull the retention pin and swivel it 90degrees out. Lock it all down solid. It should swivel fairly easily and smoothly, yet still be rock solid when locked down.

OK, then loosen it yet again and return to the original position. Check once more that you can align the spur points easily for spindle turning.

If it passes the above test(s) then it's worth considering secondary aspects. What quality are the fittings such as the lock levers on the tail-stock, banjo (tool-rest), etc?

(Here's a big one: do they stock replacement drive belts? You could even see if they'll bundle a spare belt in to make the sale... )

Thanks for the advice, especially re lining up the tail stock and head stock.Will keep doing my research

i'm not new to turning, but am limited to space, and I don turn huge items. I like the versatility of EVS (electronic variable speed) for finishing etc, and don't want to keep changing the belts up and down.

I have just bought this which I think was your link but was missing the 5 from W385

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W385

Anyway, its a great lathe and can also buy an extension bed if it gets to the point u want to turn longer stuff. and with the $1000, (sign up for mates rates and get $50 off) you have change for a scroll chuck or 2 or other add on's. ('m starting to see the benefits of more than 1 scroll chuck ie, don't have to keep changing grips).

Hi Smitsone
I have one of H & F L 18 with 4 chucks each with a different set of jaws. Funbler's comment above made me chuckle. My last job needed a set of jaws that was NOT fitted to ANY of my 4 chucks.

I don't do a lot of turning - and then only small things - so far - so this lathe could be all you need.

That said - knowing now what I know, the lathe suggested above by Fumber does have some advantages and I would buy it in preference to the WL !8. The WL 14V was not available 9 yrs ago when I bought my lathe on special as a package deal - lathe, 8 chisels, & a chuck. The only disadvantage (to me) is that it is bench mounted vs stand mounted.

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/vinc...the/1182431056
worth a drive to Nowra?

Originally Posted by burraboy

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/vinc...the/1182431056
worth a drive to Nowra?

Where does the donkey sit?

Originally Posted by Fumbler

Where does the donkey sit?

I dunno, on it's ass?

If you buy an MC-900 - any MC-900 - it's best to buy in person and buy the lathe you're looking at.


​How easy is it to walk into a showroom and buy the lathe you are looking at ??

Welcome to the forum.

No - not without the standard accessories you get with a new lathe

Originally Posted by smitsone

If you buy an MC-900 - any MC-900 - it's best to buy in person and buy the lathe you're looking at.


​How easy is it to walk into a showroom and buy the lathe you are looking at ??

pretty easy, the guys at Hare and Forbes are good guys and will help you out.

Originally Posted by burraboy

I dunno, on it's ass?

Very good.

Originally Posted by Fumbler

pretty easy, the guys at Hare and Forbes are good guys and will help you out.

Awesome, thanks for the advice

Originally Posted by burraboy

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/vinc...the/1182431056
worth a drive to Nowra?

only if you live next door