Thread: Record Lathe

Thanks for the advice doorstop.There a little more to buying a lathe then i thought.Have you any advice on a good beginners lathe under $1000 or am i asking a bit much at that price

1chrome,

Listen to stoppers as he really knows his stuff. However, you don't have to go to Perth. As you live in Brisbane, check out Carbatec (http://www.carbatec.com.au/) , Gregories Machinery or Hare & Forbes. They all have lathes in your range (well Gregories will be at the top end).

And do as stoppers says - find one or two you like and get back on the forum and ask for opinions (not from me - I'm a beginner when it comes to turning).

1chrome

some comments, based on my vast experience (since January this year )

I bought the Hare and Forbes WL18 for under $400. It's virtually the same as the Carba-tek MC900 except for the spindle and motor sizes. Timbecon, Total Tools and Jet all seem to have their own rebadged versions. Depends whether you want a blue one, a blue and cream one, a brown one or a white one - makes all the difference.

Specs: 900mm between centres, 300mm swing over the bed, 10 speed (500 to 2000 revs) swivel headstock, hollow tailstock, cast iron bed, on a stand, 750 watt motor, 1" x 10 TPI spindle, #2MT head and tailstock.

comments: 500 rpm is still a bit fast for bigger pieces that are out of balance, otherwise it seems to to the job well. also, it doesn't have an indexing head, but the chuck does, so a simple jig fixed that.

[Aside - can anyone suggest ways of halving the motor speed? it's a variable ratio belt drive so it doesn't look all that easy to change pulley sizes]

next comment: buy a GOOD scroll chuck - after all its the bit that you rely on most. Mine's a Vicmark 100. And good tools. And suggest to your SWMBO that woodturning lessons would be a great birthday/fathers day/christmas/anniversary pressie.

there is also a slightly bigger model - 1100 odd between centres, 350 mm swing, same build and drive, about $100 dearer from the same places.

the more experienced guys here will almost certainly have all moved on to something better, but given that the Nova starts at well over the $1000 mark, I am happy with mine to date.

warning: it comes partly assembled in a box that weighs over 80 kg - you need a chain block or a couple of mates to mount the bed assembly on the stand.

have fun

Colin

Hi.......I like you am a beginner at wood turning, and went thru the same exercise about 12 months ago. I ended up buying the South Australian made Woodfast 280.

It cost about $700 is well made with all cast iron construction. It has 6 speeds from 560 to 3500 rpm and #2 M.T. on head and tail stock. M30 x 3.5 thread.

It does not have a swivel head but the head and tail stock will slide the full length of the bed.

It comes in two models 280S and 280L the difference being the length of the bed, 545 or 1045. Both have 300 swing.

I am very happy with mine.


Macca

1chrome

I bought the Hare & Forbes from their store in Macgregor.

Mine has worked like a charm - not sure I've been that good but I reckon for the price it's a goer and it'll let you go and buy some good tools with the money you save

My 2d

Jamie

Thanks every one. i now have a much better idea of what i looking for.Sorry doorstop but i am not driving to perth this weekend got to save my money to buy a lathe

1chrome

Are you talking about the lathe on eBay? Am i right?

Well this is really late and the lathe that is on there has only an hour to sell (it's opening bid is $200).

I currently own a CL3 which is a little bigger than the DML24. It is a top product and apart from all the draw backs (measurements) you can by a tread converter for $15.

The DML24 is very limited here are the specs;
Fixed Head,
3 Speed,
24" x 9" Capacity

(designed for small jobs and bowls 9'')
Due to the head being fixed you can not turn the head to increase the size of the allowable swing over the bed (eg increase the bowl size).

check out www.recordpower.co.uk for all the info you need. Also the blue lathes (that is on sale @ eBay) are generation 1 or 2 and have more limitations than the green variety G3 (the ones you see on the website).

(colh colour does make a difference) ha ha.

Record has the DML24 RRP £159.99 a second hand one (+gen 2)regardless of the tools and accessories should be under $200 AU.

Go Go the strong Ozzie dollar!

Hope this helps and is not too late!
:eek:

Yes GOOse it was the one on e-bay.I did not make a bid as i am thinking of what to buy [Now i am in touble]

Neil
When I bought my Woodfast 280 I did not find any other lathe of similar design. It certainly was different and appeared much more robust than the $400 lathes sold by Carbatec,Timbecom etc.

I paid $700 for mine, was I dudded?????????

Interesting you say Woodfast didn't bother to go to there own states wood show.

Cheers
Macca

Sorry Neil, but judging from the picture on The Turnery website, the Woodfast 280 is a different machine from my Chinese Hare and Forbes - sliding headstock v's swivelling, 6-speed to 3500 rpm v's 10 speed to 2000, more robust looking bed, but considerably lighter - 38 to 46 kg v's 82.

cheers

Colin

I have been watching this thread with interest as I am also interested in purchasing a reasonable quality lathe for less than $1000 so that I can try my hand at woodturning. The comments provided to date have been very helpful and I have been following up on some of them with interest. I contacted Record in the UK to find out who is their Australian distributor. I received a very quick response informing me that they don't currently have a distributor here but that I can buy direct from the UK!
I liked the description of the Woodfast 280 so searched for some more info about it and contacted Woodfast to confirm availability and price. Woodfast informed me that it is currently out of production because the foundry (overseas) that made the castings has shutdown. From the pictures I have seen I agree that this is definitely a different machine to the MC900 Taiwanese models that sell for $400.
I am now somewhat stumped as to what to purchase - it seems the only options are to purchase a cheap Taiwanese model which will probably disappoint and frustrate me (based on comments on this and other forums) or search for a secondhand decent model which seem to be very difficult to find. Any further suggestions?

Timbo

It is my understanding that the Woodfast has its castings for head and tailstock and bed done in China but they are machined in Australia and the moving bits, mechanical and electrical are fitted in SA.

It is not Vicmark but then it is certainly sturdier and more robust than the $400 Taiwanese M900 jobs I have seen in all their various brand names and colours.

Macca

Timbo
I too had some interest in the Woodfast 280 but so far i have been unable to find one in Brisbane,and i also agree with your comment on the cheaper Taiwanese brands.
Can anyone tell me where i may find a Woodfast 280 in Brisbane,I would like to have a close look at one.I will be going out again Saturday to have another look

1chrome

I have sked around in NSW and have been unable to track a 280 down. When I spoke to Woodfast they said they had one left and were unaware of any other stock in the country. I'll be interested to hear how you go.

Timbo