Thread: Opinion on a lathe

Bump.

Fortunately, the position im in leaves me some time to wait for a good deal, so I was wondering about this one.

Its a ledacraft MC1100 for $320. Comes with a set of sherwood turning tools, and some other assorted callipers and such. The only hitch is that the tail stock has seized because its been in storage for 7 years.

I have been looking around and not finding many replacement tailstocks. Then I did some more looking and it seems like the major problem with mc1100 tailstocks is some part of it gouging out when you use it as a drill press. I dont think that has happened here, so logically its just seized from lack of use, and some wd40 and a bit of percussive maintenance should fix that up. I have been assured that the head stock and motor run fine.

Am I missing something glaring bad?

That sounds like a better deal. DO you have any picutures?


As for fixing the tail stock, what you say should work. I cant imagine it being too hard to fix unless it has serious rust

I'm guessing your in WA and it is an orange lathe?

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

I'm guessing your in WA and it is an orange lathe?

Bingo.

there was a jet on gumtree too, a little more expensive but looked a good unit and the may negotiate and I saw another one on there as well in there perth area, well might have been busselton or something. Not sure how far you want to travel.

The orange one looks ok. I think I would prefer the jet but see what others say

Originally Posted by DaveTTC

there was a jet on gumtree too, a little more expensive but looked a good unit and the may negotiate and I saw another one on there as well in there perth area, well might have been busselton or something. Not sure how far you want to travel.

The orange one looks ok. I think I would prefer the jet but see what others say

Do you have a link to the jet one?

We are about to move down to Albany so im more than happy to stop anywhere along the way for a good cause. Wont have the room to be able to use it till we get down there, so this isnt urgent.

try this


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bunbu...the/1022616990

and this one near my old stomping ground for a little more again


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kardi...ies/1023379680

There ways on the OP's lathe can be replaced with heavier to solid stock to stiffen it up. A rotating headstock is over rated IMO. Outboard turning although not necessarily as convenient is much more stable when the material is turning perpendicular to the axis of the lathe. I did build one that way once but probably will not again. I think I would rather be able to have the headstock travel the length of the bed to turn out board. Tailstock and headstock alignment is not a critical point. Often the concern is about drilling a true hole with the tailstock. Most just use the hole as a starter for finishing with other tools anyway. A true hole is easy to get even with an out of aligned tailstock. As others have stated it would make for a good plate sander or the start of a bowl lathe if nothing else. It could also be used for sharpening.

Originally Posted by DonIncognito

Bump.



Its a ledacraft MC1100 for $320. Comes with a set of sherwood turning tools, and some other assorted callipers and such. The only hitch is that the tail stock has seized because its been in storage for 7 years.

I have been looking around and not finding many replacement tailstocks. Then I did some more looking and it seems like the major problem with mc1100 tailstocks is some part of it gouging out when you use it as a drill press. I dont think that has happened here, so logically its just seized from lack of use, and some wd40 and a bit of percussive maintenance should fix that up. I have been assured that the head stock and motor run fine.

Am I missing something glaring bad?

If it is this one: Lathes - Wood : LEDACRAFT MC-1100 WOOD LATHE

It looks like a decent lathe except for the outrigger tool rest. That looks as if it is designed to break. If the tool rest fits into the banjo, that would solve the problem.

What about the tailstock is stuck? Is there a center stuck in it, or does it not wind in and out? If the threads were oiled, sitting 7 years should not let it get stuck. Almost all tailstocks have a lock on them, if one is not showing on this one, look for a broken off screw. The tailstock design looks pretty solid.

My rule of thumb on anything used in working condition is 1/2 of new. Things not working less, add for accessories, also 1/2 of new.

When you go to buy anything, take enough cash in smaller bills and be prepared to take it with you. Decide what is the most you will pay in your mind, then ask: "what is the absolute least you will take for this, as is, where is, in cash".

If it is at or below what you are willing to pay, pay, load and go.

I have occasionally pleasantly surprised by how little a seller will take. Sometimes they will not budge an inch.

I was told many years ago by a used furniture dealer friend to not offer a price to a seller. That way they can never say the buyer beat me down to his price.

Keep in mind that if you are going to be a serious turner this is only your first lathe. I still most often use my first "good" lathe, a 350 X 1000 mm Hegner, which was my third. First was a 7 X 12 inch Chinese metal lathe, then a 12 X 36 inch Delta with a pot metal head and tail stock and a sheet steel bed. Fourth was a 20 inch swing short bed Woodfast with DC variable speed motor, fifth is a 28 inch swing home made bowl lathe that I bought for $250 with a brand new 1.5 HP motor, not yet in service.

Originally Posted by Paul39

If it is this one: Lathes - Wood : LEDACRAFT MC-1100 WOOD LATHE

It looks like a decent lathe except for the outrigger tool rest. That looks as if it is designed to break. If the tool rest fits into the banjo, that would solve the problem.

I've got the H& F version so it's a nice blue colour instead, but the specs are the same. The outrigger tool rest won't break but needs support underneath to the floor to stop vibration. The tool rest will fit the banjo without any problems.

The stand is flimsy but I've got mine bolted on a bench. Quite a few members have got these and although they may need tweaking are a good entry level lathe. There are a few posts on mods to this kind of lathe as well.

Peter.

Originally Posted by DonIncognito

The only hitch is that the tail stock has seized because its been in storage for 7 years.

.... and some wd40 and a bit of percussive maintenance should fix that up. I have been assured that the head stock and motor run fine.

Soak it in diesel for a day or two, then give it a soak in this: Evapo-Rust Australia Home Page

It will free up like magic, plus shiney!

Originally Posted by Paul39

lots of good info

Cheers. Will keep all that in mind. Im going out to see it on saturday, so the more things I know to look for the better.

Keep in mind that if you are going to be a serious turner this is only your first lathe. I still most often use my first "good" lathe, a 350 X 1000 mm Hegner, which was my third. First was a 7 X 12 inch Chinese metal lathe, then a 12 X 36 inch Delta with a pot metal head and tail stock and a sheet steel bed. Fourth was a 20 inch swing short bed Woodfast with DC variable speed motor, fifth is a 28 inch swing home made bowl lathe that I bought for $250 with a brand new 1.5 HP motor, not yet in service.

Yeah, I know im going to want to upgrade late, but I have a fair bit of learning ahead of me before I outgrow something like that. If I can skip the first two buys, I figure im ahead a bit already. That money can go towards a decent chuck (I hear the vicmark vm100 is the bees knees), and maybe a decent tool or two once I work out what I will want or need.

Originally Posted by Evanism

Soak it in diesel for a day or two, then give it a soak in this: Evapo-Rust Australia Home Page

It will free up like magic, plus shiney!

What does the diesel do to it that the rust remover wont?

Originally Posted by DonIncognito

What does the diesel do to it that the rust remover wont?

I would normally try and give a science based answer, but on this occasion it will have to be "I don't know".

All I know is it works.

A mate imported a 454 engine. The idiots at customs used a pressure hose to "clean it" and by the time we received it it was rusted to buggery and seized like a bastard.

We soaked It hard. It let us move it a bit and then we could pull it down. Saved the day and now it's a daily driver... 800 hp blown v8 you can feel in your guts from 3 blocks off.

I think the diesel is more like oil than petrol. It soaks into everything. It is a trick I've done many many times over the years (I build stupid fast cars). If something doesn't come off with heat and reasonable effort, I bung it in a barrel, give it a soak and then it moves quite easily.