Lathe choice has pickled my brain.

[DaddyG]

I am currently looking for a smallish lathe to add to my smallish shed!!

It will be mainly for pen turning but I will probably want to try turning bowls too.

Have looked at the Charnwood, Axminster and Record lathes and now am completely confused, so if anyone can advise me that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KevinMc]

I am currently looking for a smallish lathe to add to my smallish shed!!

It will be mainly for pen turning but I will probably want to try turning bowls too.

Have looked at the Charnwood, Axminster and Record lathes and now am completely confused, so if anyone can advise me that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Some of the guys on here professionally road test them and have those printed in wood turning mags...so standby I am sure you will get lots of help.

Kevin

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Graham - welcome to the Forum.

You don't mention a budget for your new lathe. For me there would be a clear favourite from the makes you mention without even looking at the specs, but the best lathe is the best one within your planned budget. Are you able to say which models you've been considering?

 

[Penpal]

Two determinates, Pens and Bowls so a larger pen lathe,look for variable speed control and 2 morse taper head stock and tail stock. For large bowls a larger lathe.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Keep you eyes out for a Vicmarc, the pop up now and again on the second hand market, epay, gun-tree etc.

 

[yorkshireman]

Record lathes are quality. Walter has done reviews on various lathes, do a search the info is very useful.

 

[21William]

As Phil says it depends on budget. I have an Axminster AT1416VS which is excellent but it may not be in budget. A friend has a Record Power DML320 which is also a nice Lathe.

 

[Walter]

These two are both good machines. If I had to choose I would go for the DML320 but the AT1016VS is slightly smaller if space is a big issue. The AT1416VS that William has is even better but, as he says more expensive, and also bigger:

Dropbox - WT_303_86_88_TEST_DML_320_LATHE_REVIEW_WH_MB_MBbd.pdf

Dropbox - WT306_88_90_Test_AT1016VS_lathe_Hall_MB.pdf

 

[21William]

It may be worth mentioning that the bowl turning capacity is higher on the Axminster AT1416VS at 14” whilst the spindle capacity is better on the Record DML320. I think you may be able to get bed extensions for both Lathes though to increase spindle turning capacity if needed?

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks guys, I think my brain was more frazzled than I realised!!!

I'm looking at the entry level lathes so £250 ish but if there is a more suitable lathe just outside my budget then I would seriously consider it.

Space is rather lacking as she'd is 3m x 2m and already houses mitre saw bench, table saw, drill press and planer thicknesser.

Will now go read the reviews that are mentioned above.

 

[21William]

I think you may need to up your budget a little. If you can this one springs to mind.

DML305-M33 Cast Iron 6 Speed Midi Lathe, M33x3.5mm thread, 2MT spindle.

There was a similar sized and priced Axminster lathe but it appears to have been discontinued.

 

[bigbob]

Hi think with your budget you may have to start looking for second hand options. I started a few years ago with a second hand small lathe a Record DML 24 the seller threw in a box set of Record Chisels I think I paid just over the £100 mark. Later I added a small Record RP 2000 chuck I have upgraded to other Lathes with variable speed and 2MT. Now I have the Nova Comet II which I am pleased with. When I started I thought I was just going to turn pens but now I am turning bowls and boxes as well although very badly but am enjoying the learning curve. If I started again with the knowledge I have now I think I would have taken out a loan while the interest is so low and got the best for what space I had to put it in.

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks guys I have looked for second hand but can't find anything locally.

The Record I looked at was the DML 250 the spec was similar to DML305 motor wasnt as powerful, the Axminster Hobby AWSL and the Charnwood was W815 I think.

My budget I quoted was just the lathe I know I'll need chisels and pen turning kit.

Found a Record DHL 18SH locally and it had gone, bummer looked hardly used and pristine! !

 

[KevinMc]

Thanks guys I have looked for second hand but can't find anything locally.

The Record I looked at was the DML 250 the spec was similar to DML305 motor wasnt as powerful, the Axminster Hobby AWSL and the Charnwood was W815 I think.

My budget I quoted was just the lathe I know I'll need chisels and pen turning kit.

Found a Record DHL 18SH locally and it had gone, bummer looked hardly used and pristine! !

Do you mean it must be local... or a run out...

Saw this:
Record wood turning lathe | in South Croydon, London | Gumtree

 

[DaddyG]

Would prefer any second hand items to be local I don't fancy travelling 200 plus miles to look at a lathe that might not be any good! !

So I may well be swayed to buying new as a few I looked at had 2 or 3 yr guarantees.

 

[21William]

Second hand Lathes come up regularly if you don’t mind waiting. You could try joining a local wood turning club as a possible source.

 

[KevinMc]

Second hand Lathes come up regularly if you don’t mind waiting. You could try joining a local wood turning club as a possible source.

Teesside Woodturners' Association

 

[21William]

Yes, these folks are just up the road from you Graham by the look of it.

Teesside Woodturners' Association

 

[DaddyG]

Cheers have had a good look at the Teesside Woodturners Association and it's not far from me so am going to try and pop over for a meet.

Hopefully it will help but again it my frazzle my brain even more but at least I can get answers to my daft questions from those that know and have been through the decisions.

 

[21William]

Every now and then people at my club know someone that is giving up the hobby so tools, equipment and timber come up for sale. Just let folks know you are looking for a lathe to get started.