starter lathe

[dervishcarving]

Hi

I do quite a bit of pole-lathe work but i fancied trying some powered-lathe work as well. To do this i will probably stick another shed in the garden as a workshop and get myself a small powered lathe. Mainly i would be turning bowls so i guess i need the height etc more than a long-bed

So, im looking for some advice on starter-lathes as i dont know much about them

factors i have to consider are size (and be too big in a small shed), would only have standard domestic power and of course price

i saw this on ebay, anyone got any comments?

SIP 01488 40 Inch Wood Lathe Starter Kit 240v | eBay

 

thanks for any advice

dave

[Chunkymunky]

Mine was a cheap lil clarke 5 speed lathe. Has worked great for me so far. I have now removed the pole part and turned it facing outwards with an engineering vice and attachments for the rest.

[Guss109]

Have a look on Axminster power tools site I think they also do reconditioned machines to and there prices are ment to be keen. Will give you a shout later on as need to ask a favour

[Chunkymunky]

Where are you based? Also worth looking about for local auctions. There is a regular auction near me at ledbury done by pugh's.

 

Some excellent woodworking equipment comes through

[dent]

id second looking at axminster powertools they have allsorts on there and seem well built

[Stubby]

If you want throw rather than length get one where you can remove a short section of the bed at the headstock end . gives a bigger swing .

[se7enthdevil]

the power isnt enough for that particular lathe. try and go for something with a bit more oommpf if you can. i had a 3/4hp sip and it still wasnt powerfull enough for the 14" swing over the bed.

 

i too would recomend the axminster collection.

Lathes - Woodturning products from Axminster

 

 

i now have the jet 3520b heavy duty lathe and this has 2hp. i would recomend the Axminster Hobby Series AWVSL1000 Woodturning Lathe as this has 1hp which is better than most lathes that size. its a good price too. it is also a bit beefier in some of its component parts which is better in the long run as there is nothing worse than weedy bits of metal that can vibrate and ruin you work...

 

 

 

dont get a crap lathe for 100-200 quid...

 

i made that mistake once and i wont do it again! youll need to spend upto £350 for turning bowls (just for the first lathe) but if you buy bigger expect to pay thousands. mine cost £2500.

 

 

P.S. buy the shop flor model as you should get 5% off...

 

 

 

hope this helps,

 

steve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[hedgesparrow]

Have a look on Axminster power tools site I think they also do reconditioned machines to and there prices are ment to be keen. Will give you a shout later on as need to ask a favour

+1 axminster very good stuff. and have shops uk nearest to me is high wycombe if it was nearer be in there a lot as have classes on using lathes.

[dervishcarving]

loads of advice, cheers chaps. Im based on Aberdeen, NE Scotland. Im at the 'right, lets think about this and figure out if its feasible, if i can arrange a workshop and what would it cost' stage so all advice and opinions are valuable. good to know there are so many helpful people on here

[delabodge]

steves given some good advice,I had various lathes,,my first a rubbish clarke lathe,,vibrated,,madly,,,and annoyingly cheap......bits breaking,,,,,moved onto a union graduate,,,good lathe,,but was only short bed,,and as I cant make a living making bowls as there very time consuming,,I moved to the axminster 950m,,,not a bad lathe but varaible speed handle annoying as I`m left handed and it got in the way,,,so now have a variable speed poolewood 2000 direct drive,,,,,,,the rolls royce are vicmarc and VB lathes,,but there serious money,,,,,,,Yoy cant go wrong with sheffield made record lathes,,,cL4...reasonable priced,,,,,,