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Have you looked on the secondhand market?  Many a good used path out there.




I agree with Walter, TBH the speed control is a yours"nice to have" and a development that has changed the Woodturnings work.  Having said that manual speed change was and still is for many a lathe and they don't have any problems.   Yes a little more thought goes in to it but believe it or not you can still spin a piece of wood up and turn it.:rolling:





Sorry Peter I don't agree with your statement above..  if you look at Martins budget that wouldn't buy a speed controller in the UK for conversion, let alone buy himself a lathe.


The other issues here is some of the lathes with motors that for under the bed need special motors or fittings, so that again puts blockers in the way or costs more to have conversions. (TBH those type of lathes are better used as an anchor anyway)


The reference to "cheap" is really only in reference to the individuals pocket and what they can afford.  What seems cheap to one may cost the earth to others.


The most cost effective way to buy a variable speed later is to buy it new and built in.


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