Advice please

[Wgbeattie]

Hi All,

I purchased last year a second hand, hardly used , record power dml 24x mk1 (the blue one) lathe. It runs but as soon as I present the cutting tool to wood it stalls, motor hums, replaced capacitor and tighter belt, to no avail and now vibration .

My plan for the new year is total strip down , new belt and bearings, as a project for my son to do.

However, in the interim I always for years wanted to do penmaking, and poss expand into smal bowls etc.

So to this end, I thinking of buying a mini wood lathe. I really can’t be done with the speed belt adjusting for speed, so preferably variable speed.

Not a big budget due to above machine, But looking for advice, I though about the draper or CLARKE machines, but the reviews seem very mixed.

Any ad ice will be grateful

Thanks

Gordon

 

[flexi]

Personally I have a little Axminster one, non variable, I only turn pens on it so it's never been adjusted....it works! Also one less thing to go wrong

 

[alan morrison]

I have an Axminster 300 series with adjustable speed which I find very useful for turning down speed when sanding.
If you intend to do a fair bit of turning I would try to avoid the cheaper models.
Enjoy your new hobby.
Alan

 

[pittswood]

Hi Gordon,
If the main drive shaft turns without any resistance, with the drive belt taken off, then I would not replace the bearings. A rumble or grating sound would indicate bearing trouble. If the belt has a dip in the middle of about 3/8 of an inch, the belt is also tight enough. I assume the belt is a "V" belt.

Does the motor turn freely on its own? If not, their motor bearings could be trashed, or new even bushes needed.
Most machine bearings last a lifetime, if lubed up occasionally. Some lathes even need special pullers/extractors.
Try the above first, then look at lathe bearings last.
Kelvin

 

[fortress]

Hello Gordon, IMHO Draper and Clarke are not real contenders, you get what you pay for. I Myself have a Jet 1221 vs from Axminster, great Mini lathe.
Please tell us a little about yourself, what's written in the forum stays in the forum. lol.

 

[Wgbeattie]

Hi John,

Not really much to say about me, I cam of work 3 years ago, Clarke CWL1000Bin I’ll health, problem walking and sore strsss etc.

When I was at school I loved woodwork, but never took as a subject. No ice. Always wanted to,do so,e turning, especially pens,

Rathe than sitting in-house and playing. Box I decided to go for it, bought second hand lathe and then mandrel tool etc, so,invested bit of cash.

Only to find the lathe stalls when turning. And can’t work out why,

Rather than just giving up, I though about mini lathe. I look for variable speed, as I don’t have great strength in arms to adjust speed for belts.

Also I considered draper as MT1 aside that what mine is and mandrel I bought etc is.

So really just a small hobby that can make small things pens small bowls for presents.

Going to look at it tomorrow to check advice from Kelvin.

Thanks all

 

[Bill Mooney]

My grandson has an Axminster electronic vs hobby lathe for sale for£150. The lathe has been serviced by Axminster. Reason for sale. A friend of mine died & Lee bought his Nova lathe at a good price otherwise he would still be using the Axi lathe. It would be pick up only, we live just outside of Durham. If you are interested then pm me & I’ll put you in touch with Lee. He may also have a chuck to go with it for an extra £50.

 

[Phil Dart]

I quick hop across the border from Fife to County Durham sounds like an excellent solution if you want to replace your lathe. Bill is experienced and is without doubt one of the good guys, so for my money, if he vouches for it, as he does, on a personal level I would have not doubt at all that it's a good buy.

On the matter of your existing lathe, the other tell-tale sign of a failed bearing is excessive heat. If your lathe isn't getting unusually hot, chances are the bearings are fine. I'd be looking, as Pittswood says, at the brushes.

 

[alpha1]

My grandson has an Axminster electronic vs hobby lathe for sale for£150. The lathe has been serviced by Axminster. Reason for sale. A friend of mine died & Lee bought his Nova lathe at a good price otherwise he would still be using the Axi lathe. It would be pick up only, we live just outside of Durham. If you are interested then pm me & I’ll put you in touch with Lee. He may also have a chuck to go with it for an extra £50.

Hi, I live just down the road from you.
Currently, I only make pens I'm making them on a metal lathe. Is this lathe suitable for pen making?. Could it be used for small bowls and maybe platters/plates don't know if that is the right description. Is it variable speed.

 

[Wgbeattie]

My grandson has an Axminster electronic vs hobby lathe for sale for£150. The lathe has been serviced by Axminster. Reason for sale. A friend of mine died & Lee bought his Nova lathe at a good price otherwise he would still be using the Axi lathe. It would be pick up only, we live just outside of Durham. If you are interested then pm me & I’ll put you in touch with Lee. He may also have a chuck to go with it for an extra £50.

Really is a good offer, would be ideal for me, however, too far me to drive,

Gordon

 

[Penpal]

Morning Gordon. I understand lack of full mobility however I sit to turn and made this VicMarc VL150 an australian made lathe my own purchasing it as what is called a bare lathe ie basic lathe and fitted as per pics with a variable speed control..

Now if you are not mechanically inclined buy something to suit you. Here I was installing this lathe.

Enjoy the process.

Peter.