Thread: Teknatool 1624

hi yowie, they are a good Lathe in my opinion we have one at work and has been extended to 3 metres and I turn posts balusters on it mostly.
it's a little under size for the longer stuff I do!
but if I was starting out again I would consider the teknatool, the 2 Morse taper is better as your drive / live centres are more robust than the number 1 and if your doing long hole boring you use bigger drills through the number 2.
we sold lots of the teknatool Lathes when I was an apprentice and they are still going strong today as I've seen some of my old customers.

Hi yowie,
For a general purpose lathe this machine will serve you well I don't own a nova but I have used nova lathes on many occasions at various clubs and always found them to be a well made quality lathe. I would certainly go for a lathe with MT2 as for accessories you shouldn't have any problem finding thing's to fit this lathe. People seam to get very precious about brands of lathes there is a few basic needs that have to be filled the rest is fancy, you need a sturdy bed and head stock the center's need to line up the bearings need to be sound and a good range of speed's for basic turning that is about it, the rest is up to you and the tools. A better lathe and a great range of extra's wont make you a better turner (practice will) they just sometimes make some tasks easier but nothing that can't be done without the bells and whistles it just takes a bit longer or a bit more thought. I think this is a good solid lathe that would serve you well for many years.
Regards Rod.

Originally Posted by yowie

I don't think I'll ever be pumping out huge amounts of bowls or pens or egg cups.
Yowie

advice given by Yoda to Luke before entering the cave.... "you will be....you will be"



You are doomed.

On advice I bought a woodfast M305. So good was that advice it totally addicted me. Six weeks later I also bought a big Cougar 350EVS.

What I like about the "smaller" WF m305 is the MT2 head and tail, common M30x3.5 thread, it's portability and surprising power. It is an incredibly versatile machine.

For occasional turners who would like to put away the lathe, like a thicknesser often is, it is perfect. It is NOT a toy despite its size.

I use both now. One for turning and sanding, the other for polish and soon pens

Originally Posted by yowie

Teknatool® 1624-44 Lathe : CARBA-TEC


And no, I won't be holding out for a Vicmarc, I don't think I'd get the use to justify the cost.

Cheers for any advice

Yowie

So when do you have to justify the cost. Just having one there will give you hours of pleasure

The record lathes are well made but still 40 years behind the rest of the world. We have all moved onto larger shafts and 2mt as they are bigger and stronger and the bearings match the use.

The 3/4" shaft and 1mt are ok for making pens or lace bobbins.

There has been lots of suggestions on better lathes so stick to those.

At $3k Josh VL200 is a great buy.

Originally Posted by yowie

Teknatool® 1624-44 Lathe : CARBA-TECYowie

The above. There is no substitute for stiff bed, more weight, bigger everything, within reason.

MT2 bits are a little more common.

Cheers for the advice guys, the teknatool it is. Hope that bonus comes through from work now...