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Thread: Value of old woodfast lathes
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23rd September 2019, 06:48 PM #1
Value of old woodfast lathes
Every now and then an old woodfast lathe like that shown below comes on the second hand market in Tassie. While it may not have all the bells and whistles, I figure it would be a good solid unit to learn turning on. They generally list for around $400-$500 dollars with some tools thrown in. Is this a reasonable price range?
Kind regards,
Lance
s-l800.jpg
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23rd September 2019, 06:54 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
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Yes. It looks to be in good shape too. I have one just like it.
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23rd September 2019, 06:58 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
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Hi,
Absolutely, they represent good value in my opinion good solid cast iron beds and head/tail stocks great basic start convert to variable speed if desired for a reasonable price compared to new if desired. How many speeds do you need?
Regards Rod.Rod Gilbert.
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23rd September 2019, 07:27 PM #4GOLD MEMBER
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23rd September 2019, 09:20 PM #5
Yes, v. good value, especially if in good condition like that one.
Unlike some of the modern cheapies, it will hold its value at that price should you decide to sell later to upgrade to get features like variable speed, larger swing and swivel head that those vintage lathes don't have.
Sent from my ZTE T84 using TapatalkStay sharp and stay safe!
Neil
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24th September 2019, 09:05 AM #6
Thanks all for the responses. That particular one is asking for a lot more ($800), but knowing that they do come about from time to time at the $400-$500 mark, I'll bide my time. When I do find one though I will jump on it, rather than dithering as to whether it's good value or not.
Kind regards,
Lance
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24th September 2019, 09:56 AM #7
It’s worth remembering that Woodfast took over Hyco and this lathe of theirs is identical to the Hyco.
I gave a Hyco lathe away a year or so ago here on the forum and a mate in Canberra kept his after advertising it for about $100 for a year or two.
Come to think of it I gave another away about 5 years back but I kept the cast legs for my Ewheel.
H.Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)
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24th September 2019, 10:28 PM #8
They are a great lathe . Well above the average later cheaper stuff around. A lathe like that covers just about everything you can see on furniture construction when it comes to turnings . Longer things like one piece bed posts and Lamp columns are about the only things that cant be done . They can be done in parts though .
That Woodfast has a hollow spindle for through drilling . Plus an Indexing head.
When you go for one check that the indexing attachment is all there if you can . Some buyers have found them to be missing and its a fiddle to have to get one re made . The indexing feature is a very good thing . Its a spring loaded pin that rotates and locates into one of 24 (I think ?) holes that have been drilled into the large end of the upper pulley under the top cover.
Do you know what indexing does for you ?
Ive used it for plenty of leg decoration like reeding and fluting on My Woodfast.
Rob
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24th September 2019, 10:42 PM #9
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24th September 2019, 11:10 PM #10
It lets you hold a turning at 24 or 12 or 4 , or any number that divides evenly into the whole number of holes on the indexing plate or head . The Woodfast could be 48 holes I think.
So for legs or columns you can hold and use a Router in a box mounted to the lathe . And create Reeds or fluting in straight or curved legs or columns .
Pictures here.
fluted and reeded legs - Google Search
In the first pictures in this thread I had a leg being Reeded in my Woodfast with a box and router after I had turned it On My Wadkin .
Some Leg pictures and a bowl turning question or three
Rob
More bragging . Here's the finished Legs on the table .
Here.
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25th September 2019, 09:03 AM #11
Wow, that's very clever. Thanks for the heads up though, as I will be sure to check that the indexing head works if I find a suitable Woodfast.
I'm getting a little excited about this. While I've wanted to do some turning for a little while, it never made it over the threshold of "ok, spend the money" until out of the blue two of my kids commented how much they enjoyed turning on the school lathe last term. So now I wait like a lioness in the long grass of the Kalahari for a suitable unit to pop up, and then I strike!
Kind regards,
Lance
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25th September 2019, 02:05 PM #12
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25th September 2019, 03:59 PM #13GOLD MEMBER
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25th September 2019, 04:31 PM #14
Thanks Brad.
I did try, but he wasn't interested in negotiating. He has my contact details should he reconsider. Something else will come along. About four months ago there were two Woodfasts and a Tough (looked to be the same thing) that sat around for several weeks in the high four hundreds, so expect it's just a waiting game at this stage. I have my budget, and know it should cover what I'm looking for.
Kind regards,
Lance
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25th September 2019, 05:41 PM #15
I don't know about that.
I'm pretty sure any lathe can be fitted with an indexing plate and some way of locating the holes with a pin .
The Woodfast with the 48 holes (I checked ) comes all set to go, and boxes for Reeding or fluting change with every leg or column Ive done , so its a new one for each job with those.
This leg required a box with two runs for the router . One for that upper section and another for the Reeding below.
rob 1111 071.jpg
The Woodfast set up .
The pin can get abuse from people using it as a spindle lock for getting a chuck off.
Don't be tempted Its to fragile for that and wont last long .
IMG_2329.JPGIMG_2330.JPG
And the Hole through the spindle for drilling things like Lamp columns for the electric cord. Another good feature.
IMG_2331.JPG
Something Ive not done a lot of is the drilling . We had a Woodfast long drill on a rod with a wooden turned handle on the end for the lathe at another workshop . A different Woodfast lathe.
Just thinking now , for that to work the spiral flutes and cutting edge of the drill would need to be the opposite direction of a normal drill . Or the lathe would need to be run backwards if not ? I never checked the drill out . Probably lucky if it is a three phase lathe for that. And a VFD if you only have single phase power.
Rob
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