I seriously considered the new Woodfast 3040 but in the end plumped for a Stubby.
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I seriously considered the new Woodfast 3040 but in the end plumped for a Stubby.
I can’t claim to need such a large lathe, but I do enjoying owning one. Yes, it cost a lot, but I’ve made the decision that of all my hobbies and interests, the one I wish to prioritise is my turning, and I know that I should never need to spend money on a lathe again. It can handle anything I’m brave enough to try (and still has a bit in reserve), and will still be perfectly functional long after I’m not.
The options available to me in South Africa are even more restricted than in Aus, basically Jet, Nova, Laguna and recently Vicmarc are imported. I considered importing one myself, but am glad I didn’t need to do that. I went for the Vicmarc.
That sort of power is fine as long as you can tame it!
It concerns me somewhat that we do have lathes with the capacity to turn quite large objects with more than sufficient power available to turn them. These large lathes also have a considerable speed range. In inexperienced and untrained hands that can be a very dangerous combination.
A small error such as not dialing down the speed after each turning session, and then checking before commencing a new turning project can present very significant hazards for the unwary.
I think the speed range of the new large Woodfast lathe is excellent, yes it can be an issue and one should always shut down the lathe and go through a set procedure of what you do. My take on this is to switch everything off, turn both speed dials to zero and ensure the directional switches are both set to forward. Last thing after cleaning up, is to use some dry lubricant on the steel beds and anything else that needs protection.
The real difference with these big motors, like on the Woodfast, is that they are 3 phase. The pure grunt and incredible smoothness of the two lathes I have used with single phase into 3 phase via an inverter, is as addictive as anything.
With regard to lathe speeds, before the COVID-19 thingy really stopped life as we know it, I dropped in to help a mate with his new (to him) Record Power Coronet Herald Midi lathe. Biggest midi lathe I've seen, but that aside, it can do a staggering 3,890 rpm. My friend was amazed at this feature and gleefully cranked up his lathe to maximum speed with a chuck on, I didn't know of any chuck that could be used at those speeds, so I quickly shut things down and we commenced some turning learning. I've since learnt that the Record Power chucks can in fact be run at the terminal velocity of their lathes, impressive and good just from a safety point of view; but you wouldn't want anything to go wrong at very high speeds with stuff in a chuck.
The big Woodfast is capable of 20-3,850 rpm, quite a staggering speed range and with three belt positions and 4 bearings in the headstock, it appears to be built for longevity as well as go.
Speaking of size, that big Woodfast lathe is lighter than I thought, it's only 248Kg :D
The real nice bit about these kinds of lathes, is the heft inherent in the build, which gives you considerable solidness (is that a word?)
The Tailstock on this lathe seems better than the Laguna I have, with regard to the tool storage on/in the tailstock, that is. The Woodfast has what appears to be a door to keep one from scratching oneself on the stored tools. As such I don't use that feature on my lathe after a few times of ripping some skin and worse, ripping some clothing.
I also like the moveable switch box with a magnetic back, the Rikon version of this lathe shows the coiled lead, which is probably pretty good to go anywhere on the front of the machine.
I still have not been able to see the rear to see if the inverter is sealed from dust ingress, hopefully it is.
Mick.
For those of us not willing or able to buy a new big lathe, older made in AU Woodfasts are a wonderful value. Mine below, for which I paid US $850, 20 inch swing, DC variable speed done in the US by Craft Supplies with the 5 speed pulleys intact. When I first got it home, sitting outside on dirt, I put a big out of balance stump on it, set on the low speed pulleys and low variable speed, and turned it on. The lathe and cabinets gently rocked back & forth until I knocked off the out of balance parts. I have another lathe with 36 inches between centers.
Absolutely!
My old bowl lathe had a 1.8m dia capacity, my old JET 0.9m spindle capacity, plus turning with the bearded one has given me experience with a decent amount of large turnings. Having said that, I still have a healthy fear and respect of the power of the 3040, and other large capacity beasts. Care must always be taken as they can, and will, kill you in a blink of an eyelid.
Was this a commercially available lathe, or one you built or had built? Photo? How many 1.8 meter salad bowls have you sold? Just being snarky.Quote:
My old bowl lathe had a 1.8m dia capacity,
It was home made by someone else. It was for making tables more than bowls, before tables were made with routers. The largest bowl I did was 750mm (finished size) for large boardroom tables (for lawyers/engineers/contractors/Councils/Government Departments etc). Since retiring I haven't had any requests for more bowls that size and tables I now do with a router. The 3040 can do 800mm start size max, so if any client wanted a large bowl, I could still do a 750mm.
Paul, depending on your HP, you too can turn quite large pieces outboard with your Woodfast by removing the LH threaded handwheel and attaching a LH threaded faceplate or chuck and using a free standing tool rest. An EVS helps in dialing the speed up slowly to overcome the inertia.
LH threaded faceplates and chuck inserts are not so readily come by now, but they can still be found or made.
Anyway, here is an old yellow turning a big one.