Thread: Teknatool 1624 Lathe

Originally Posted by smidsy

Hi Guys,
Anyone got experience with this lathe, I need to how the variable speed operates - is it electric or is there belts to change, and what is the base like, is it cast iron and solid straight out the box?

Trying to get funding for a couple of new lathes at work, it's going to be chinese cheapies because that is all the funding I'm likely to get - I think it's going to be the Teknatool or the MC900.
Cheers
Paul

Paul ,
Teknatool lathes are not 'cheapies' . Whatever gave you that idea ?

Follow this link for info about the lathe that costs 3 times as much as the MC900

I meant cheap in comparison to Vicmarc which is what I would buy if I had $10k to spend - I need two.

Follow this link for info on a variable speed lathe that costs 6 times the price of a MC900

hi smidsy, ive had my 1624-44 for near on two years and turned everything from pens to 700mm diam. red gum bowls[very heavy] on it. its not variable speed, but belt change isnt to bad.
i rate them!

Smidsy

If you can get the funds the 1624 is the way to go. The belts are easy change and the legs that are supplied are stable.

Ross

Another option would be the WL 46 from Hare & Forbes. Electronic variable speed, 2 hp motor and smooth as silk. I have one and love it.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Another option would be the WL 46 from Hare & Forbes. Electronic variable speed, 2 hp motor and smooth as silk. I have one and love it.

I am with Fred on the above comments.

The 1624 has a swivel head, which you may or may not need, but is nice to have.
The WL46 has "infinite" electronic speed control, longer bed and IMHO, sturdier legs, motor is 2HP and has "grunt to spare".
Pricing is on par (at least in Melbourne).

And I love mine too

good hunting

I've had my Nova 1624 for nearly 2 years now and have been really happy with it. Plenty of power for what I do (mainly bowls, lidded boxes and a few pens). Belt change is fairly easy and you get pretty quick at it. Although I'd love to have electronic variable speed, the additional cost at the time was a bit prohibitive and I'd rather put that money to buying additional gouges/chucks etc. Bed, banjo & tailstock are the same as the DVR XP. Another small thing I like about the 1624 is that the air intake for the motor is facing away from the work, so it tends to suck in less dust than the MC900.

I've had mine a year, really happy.

Good for pens, bowls and such


GC