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Flexispeed Mk1, worth a go?

N

Nathan

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Nov 13, 2017
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Guildford
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Nathan
Hi Guys, I'm new to both the forum and the world of pen turning and am looking to give pen turning a go. I have the opportunity of picking up a Flexispeed Mk1 lathe with motor and hardwood base for circa £50, all apparently in good (quiet!) working order. These lathes appear to be a very old and limited design but the price is obviously very appealing on a limited hobby budget. Has anyone on the forum got any idea if these lathes would be suitable for a bit of pen turning? getting MT0 attachments appears to be a bit of a challenge also.

Thanks
Nathan
 
Walter

Walter

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Welcome to the forum Nathan.

Whilst it is possible to turn pens on a metalworking lathe it would not be my first choice of place to start for a beginner.

Plus as you say finding 0MT mandrels and other accessories will be difficult.

Your decision but personally I would look for an old woodturning lathe with 1MT or 2MT head and tailstock taper.
 
Lons

Lons

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Bob
What Walter said Nathan but if you can afford it I would buy the lathe anyway as a little metal lathe can be very useful in it's own right. i don't know anything about the model you mention but I certainly wouldn't part with my little watchmakers lathe.
 
Penpal

Penpal

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May 26, 2013
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Peter
Looking at the Flexispeed and without a full description in detail of your proposed lathe, you will need to weigh up the worth and real usefulness. Best buying for pens is a 2 morse taper head stock and tail stock, ball race bearings, variable speed lathe.. I remember not long back Paul bought a smashing small metal lathe and loves it to bits.

Good luck and Nathan pay a visit to a local Wood group, listen to the chatter, good luck mate.

Peter.
 
N

Nathan

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Joined
Nov 13, 2017
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Guildford
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Nathan
Thanks for your input guys :thumbs:, having had a look round various sites and doing a bit of research, I don't think the lathe will be suitable. I'm leaning towards the Axminster AH1218vs which appears to be a decent choice for a lathe to do some bigger turning on too.
 
Graham_C

Graham_C

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Tywyn
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Looks like a good choice to me Nathan :thumbs: Someone with knowledge of this or similar Axminster lathes will be able to confirm the suitability and quality.
 
wm460

wm460

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Mar 16, 2013
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Walter

Walter

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Apr 22, 2013
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Location
Amble on the sunny Northumberland coast.
First Name
Walter
Nathan said:
Thanks for your input guys :thumbs:, having had a look round various sites and doing a bit of research, I don't think the lathe will be suitable. I'm leaning towards the Axminster AH1218vs which appears to be a decent choice for a lathe to do some bigger turning on too.
Click to expand...

Not a bad lathe but for not a great deal more you could get the much better Record DML320.

DML320 Cast Iron Variable Speed Lathe
 
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