1st Lathe

[Baldy]

Right guys n gals. I am looking for help and advice from you. I am looking for my first lathe and not really sure where to start. I want to be able to turn pens, bowls boxes and my own chess set as a basic outline of requirements. I have looked around and seen different features and the more I look the more confused I get.

Variable speed midi lathe is about as far as I have got any suggestions with good and bad points and if you know where I can get a good price as they seem to vary so much..

Thanks in advance

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[Grump]

Baldy, you are on the right track, looking at variable speed is a plus. Midi lathe? That depends on what you want to turn and how much space you have for it.
Chess pieces alone don't require a large lathe but to move on from there and venture into bowls and larger stuff then yes a larger lathe is required.
You can turn small parts on a big lathe but not the way round so get your crystal ball out and look into the future before you make your purchase.
As for which lathe I cannot recommend one as far as I am concerned if it turns a chuck and I have a tool that's good enuff for me.

I wish you luck with your projects Chess pieces are a tad ambitious to start with and don't necessarily require a lathe.
Is there nobody local to you who you could spend some tie with to get the idea of what to do?
I don't know your area but you could look up Ike at the wheelchair turners on google I know they have club meetings I am sure they would welcome even able bodied members.
There are some Scotland members here who may offer some assistnce.

 

[rayf6604]

It depends in no small part on budget as well. The lathe I really want is over £2000 but for my first lathe I bought an Axminster hobby variable speed at about £290 as I was on a budget. I've since gone on to spend another £1000 or more on other items that I can't do without like tools, sharpening, pen making equipment, bandsaw, dust extraction etc etc. I found out that woodturning is not a cheap hobby

 

[Grump]

Come look around my shed, I'll show you some cheap gear and mend and make doe's.
If my neighbours saw a Dewalt, JVC or even a Bosch label I wouldn't have it for long, at least what I have I can keep.

 

[paulm]

As above and there are some quality second hand lathes about on various sites such as ebay.

 

[mattyts]

I have an Axminster M330,purchased second hand with a few tools,chucks,mandrels etc and it offered great value for money.

Axminster do the AWVSL which is a fairly decent lathe,aswell as the lathe,you will need a chuck and appropriate jaws,a basic tool set (I have a robert sorby set),a pen mandrel,a way to sharpen your tools,i would say the lathe is the cheapest part.

 

[donwatson]

I have sent a PM. We can arrange a meet to visit either of the clubs I use.
I have a set of sketches for a chess set (had them for 4 years) and it's not the easiest of projects, the turning of 32 pawns 'THE SAME SHAPE'
The advantage of the club is the camaraderie and social interaction as well as learning safe working practices and the hints and tips received. They are also, usually, one of the first places to look for equipment, as someone is usually selling and the reasons may be too small, too big and you can ask anything you want to know.
It's kind of hard explaining in a letter so I have sent my telephone contact numbers.
Hope you can get in touch.

take care
Don W

 

[chas_41_uk]

It really is down to budget to begin with. What price range were you thinking of?

 

[Grump]

£20, anyone flogging an old lathe for a score?
Sorry couldn't resist it, the voices in my head told to do it init?

 

[Baldy]

Thanks guys.. I have joined the grampian wood turners a few weeks ago and have my first session with them in a couple. Really looking forward to it.
My budget... well if I have to wait an extra month or so to get the right things for me the that is what I will have to do.. been looking at the jet lathe around £700 but nit sure if anything out there cheaper and or better..
As far as what I wanted to do.. is a bit of everything but not on a large side I know will be working up to my chess set ;-)

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[Jimjam66]

I found out that woodturning is not a cheap hobby

Amen brother! :pray:

 

[rayf6604]

Lol jimjam I hate to think how much stuff I've bought since March this year. There's plenty more I could get too. It seems to be never ending!

 

[bellringer]

Thanks guys.. I have joined the grampian wood turners a few weeks ago and have my first session with them in a couple. Really looking forward to it.
My budget... well if I have to wait an extra month or so to get the right things for me the that is what I will have to do.. been looking at the jet lathe around £700 but nit sure if anything out there cheaper and or better..
As far as what I wanted to do.. is a bit of everything but not on a large side I know will be working up to my chess set ;-)

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Would not get the jet one I go with ah-1218vs you wouldn't go far wrong it £230


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[Woody]

Sorry Alex I have to disagree with you there the Jet is a far superior lathe to the Axminster lathe and it has 1/2 the power again also the option of a bed extension another one in that price range that is an excellent machine is the record DML 305vs I had one of these and they are great they are sold from the record stable but made by Woodfast of Australia Im not sure haw the power compares as it is 1/2 HP against jet 745W I thing the Jet may still have more power Record Power Dml305-vs Variable Speed Cast Iron Midi Lathe, RPWDML305VS at D&M Tools other points to consider
Record headstock thread 3/4" x 16 tpi more common 1Mt max speed 3850 rpm weight 39Kg
Jet headstock thread size M33 x 3.5mm 2Mt Max speed 3600 rpm weight 50Kg heaver is better
Good luck with your purchase just don't rush into anything also have you considered a second hand lathe you can get some good machines for a good price normally 1/2 the RRP for a very good machine

 

[chas_41_uk]

I go with ah-1218vs you wouldn't go far wrong it £230

I agree with Alex about the 1218vs for the price. This is the lathe I have and it is excellent for the price.

However:

Sorry Alex I have to disagree with you there the Jet is a far superior lathe to the Axminster lathe and it has 1/2 the power again also the option of a bed extension another one in that price range that is an excellent machine is the record DML 305vs I had one of these and they are great they are sold from the record stable but made by Woodfast of Australia Im not sure haw the power compares as it is 1/2 HP against jet 745W I thing the Jet may still have more power Record Power Dml305-vs Variable Speed Cast Iron Midi Lathe, RPWDML305VS at D&M Tools other points to consider
Record headstock thread 3/4" x 16 tpi more common 1Mt max speed 3850 rpm weight 39Kg
Jet headstock thread size M33 x 3.5mm 2Mt Max speed 3600 rpm weight 50Kg heaver is better
Good luck with your purchase just don't rush into anything also have you considered a second hand lathe you can get some good machines for a good price normally 1/2 the RRP for a very good machine

With £700 to spend on a lathe I would agree with Woody. But would also throw the Axminster AT1416VS into the mix

 

[Woody]

I agree with Alex about the 1218vs for the price. This is the lathe I have and it is excellent for the price.

However:


With £700 to spend on a lathe I would agree with Woody. But would also throw the Axminster AT1416VS into the mix

I did look at that one Chas but the power again is only 500W compared to jet 745W it has 1/2 the power again

 

[brody2123]

Allo baldy. Many lathes have very similar features, but don't be too tempted by price alone. One of the most important things is motor rating. Not just the output or speed, but the strength/torque. Tou can get big lathes with high speed, but if the motor ain't got the guts, as soon as you put something big on them, they stall and make for a very annoying experience. I can vouch for Jet lathes, they are very solidly built and have motors built for heavy high torque use.
The Jet 1221vs is a new lathe and is solid as a rock and will last a lifetime
Axminster are selling them for £725.
But, ultimately its yours to decide. Try before you buy, as nothing will tell you more.
Let us all know how you get on mate.

 

[Woody]

I have just looked at a conversion chart and to be honest the Jet lathe works out at almost 1 HP double the power of the record and 1/2 again of both of the axminster lathes if it was me buying jet would have won hands down go for it my friend

 

[chas_41_uk]

Woody isn't on any form of commission from Jet, honest
But he will always give you sound advice

Seriously though, if you're going to a club in a couple of weeks I would suggest you hold fire buying a lathe. Try out some of the lathes they have and go for one that YOU feel comfortable with :wink:

 

[Baldy]

One of the reasons I have been looking at jet is that the club has a couple of them and the 1st meeting I went along to some of the members had brought their lathe and the large percentage of them were jet. I took this to be a good sign that were good tools.. I am looking at new and second hand but a lot that I see are collection only at the other end of country.. will probably be a couple months away before I buy.. unless something pops up I cannot miss. An old boy scout I am be prepared. . The only real lesson I took from it..

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