Buying a lathe( no dont leave please answer)

[black1]

i have reached the age (42) where the war office has grant me permission to go out and buy a lathe and stuff (tools). being a chippy i have a fairly good understanding of what is crap and what is not. Would just like a little advice as i have wanted one for years and the War office has always said only old men use lathes. thanks for any advice given as have read lots on the subject and woundnt buy a gmc on any way.

[ss_11000]

young people use lathes to, tell the war office that!

whats your price range? a good beginners lathe is a mc900 ( $300-400 odd), then you can get expensive ones like vicmarcs that are really good quality....

[rodm]

The best way to tackle any machinery purchase is think about

What is the biggest item you are going to make?
What is your budget?
What space is available in your shed?
Power requirments - single or three phase?

All to often a choice is made on price alone and after a few months it is either too small, too big, not accurate enough or insuffient power to do the job properly. If you match the machine to your requirments then you will not loose interest or be trading it in on another model down the track.
Remember that most machinery requires tooling other than standard accessories so allow for chucks and chisels and an endless selection of must have items.

If you are not sure where to start then MC900 is a good choice for entry level but be prepared to upgrade if you get addicted. Also if you do get the bug then a dust extractor and bandsaw will be on the list of must have items.

As you are a chippy and obviously have a good knowledge of timber you will be able to turn out projects with a short learning curve but all the same a good book or video might be worth the go.

[dazzler]

I reckon SS1100 is spot on.

There so cheap if you take it up big time you can always upgrade to a vicmark or similar later on .

go for it.

[arose62]

I started with a GMC, and moved up to a MC1100 from Hare & Forbes.

My 2c is that the old bodgers made heaps of really nice stuff, usually on a pole lathe, or something equally unsophisticated.

So, if I can turn something nice on a unimpressive lathe, then I know it's my skill. OTOH, if I spent gazillions on the fanciest lathe, there's still no guarantee that I would produce anything worthwhile.

Having said that, in hindsight, I wish I had known to bolt the GMC down securely to something HEAVY, so's it didn't dance about so much.

You'd be hard pressed to go wrong starting with a MC900 / MC1100 in one of the various colours.

Cheers,
Andrew

[ozwinner]

i have reached the age (42) where the war office has grant me permission to go out and buy a lathe and stuff (tools). being a chippy i have a fairly good understanding of what is crap and what is not. Would just like a little advice as i have wanted one for years and the War office has always said only old men use lathes. thanks for any advice given as have read lots on the subject and woundnt buy a gmc on any way.

Check out Timbecon, they are in you part of the world.
Shame about the colour choice, but spray paint will fix that.

Al

[fred.n]

I think you'll find an MC 1100 is a great starter anywhere?
remember you can always sell it at a later date as a "beginners lathe"
that way attracting people who just might need that little push to get them started??
As with all things, the price comes in with all the accessories (sorry about the spelling), but be warned...........turning is REALLY addictive (which is good) so the on going cost will continue
All the best with what you get, (give us an update and a pic??) and go for it

[Gil Jones]

Somewhat off topic question...what is a "Chippy"? I looked it up online, and the answer does not remotely resemble any kind of woodworker. No offence, but this was what I found>>
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/inde...?date=20010524

[ozwinner]

Somewhat off topic question...what is a "Chippy"? I looked it up online, and the answer does not remotely resemble any kind of woodworker. No offence, but this was what I found>>
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/inde...?date=20010524

Its anyone who makes wood chips.
Usualy applied to an on site carpenter/joiner.

Al

[soundman]

Take the advice of Terry O'Keefe ( senior aka Big Terry ).
"DON'T wait till you retire to buy a lathe."

Sadly Big Terry is nearly blind from diabeeties now & can't see enough to turn safely.
At one stage he was at his lathe every day.

If turning interests you. Now is the time to buy a lathe.

The jett mini lathe is a big hearted machine and any of the good brands will give you a lot of satisfaction.

cheers

[black1]

thanks for the info, will look at the mc900/1100 from timbecon also the mc660. are these the same as what carbatec sells. only ever used a woodfast at school about 20 somthing years ago.

ps are the any woodturning clubs in the freo area or somewhere i can go to have a look at what is what? or in perth metro area?????

[journeyman Mick]

Somewhat off topic question...what is a "Chippy"? I looked it up online, and the answer does not remotely resemble any kind of woodworker. No offence, but this was what I found>>
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/inde...?date=20010524

Just checked out that link and it seems that I'm not a carpenter after all, but a promiscuouis woman:eek: .

Mick the chippy

[coastie]

I thought it was what the Pommies called a fish and chip shop!!

[JackoH]

Go for it! Spend about twice as much as you can afford. You can run up the white flag later! Getv a Woodfast or preferably Vicmarc. You are never too young to start anything. I wish I had had the time and money when I was 42.I didn't start 'til I was 60, but boy have I made up for it since. It is also quite surprising how a nicely figured and finished salad bowl or suchlike will buy peace and harmony at the war office!

[dazzler]

Take the advice of Terry O'Keefe ( senior aka Big Terry ).
"DON'T wait till you retire to buy a lathe."

Sadly Big Terry is nearly blind from diabeeties now & can't see enough to turn safely.
At one stage he was at his lathe every day.

cheers

Good Advice!

I'm off to get me some smack, pick up some ho's and party down:eek:

No time like the present I reckon

Dazzler