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New lathe please help...

M

Midnight_Turner

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Jun 10, 2016
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Sutton in Ashfield nr Mansfield
First Name
Miles
So it looks like my headstock is bent and can't be adjusted. Two lathes come to mind:

Axminster Trade Series Precision Pro Lathe - Woodturning Lathes - Lathes - Machinery | Axminster Tools & Machinery

At £450

And

Proxxon DB 250 Micro Woodturning Lathe - Woodturning Lathes - Lathes - Machinery | Axminster Tools & Machinery

At £150

Can I have honest opinions on both please? I just want to do pens, and I currently have a wedding to pay for, also currently have 6 orders on the go!!


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Penpal

Penpal

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Canberra AUSTRALIA
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Peter
Extraordinary high prices over your way, do get the best you can. I would head for a non variable speed lathe and fit my own controls later I did with the Vicmarc made in Australia twice once with the VL100 and later another but VL150. Both these lathes you can fit your own motor and are sold as bare lathes. If I remember rightly you may not be mechanically minded. With your upcoming wedding would you settle for second best. Your choice. Penmaking on the back burner never hurt anyone either, choose your priorities.

I married as a fourth year apprentice,we started building our house finished it that first year. My hobby then was Cymbidium Orchids, cost a bomb, I travelled elsewhere bought plants in spike, sold the flowers to a florist that paid for the plants. That is how I could afford that hobby.Make up your mind with caution and have fun.

All the best Peter.
 
Phil Dart

Phil Dart

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Walter

Walter

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Axminster or Proxxon. Small professional lathe or toy. Just my opinion.

Judging by the description in your other thread I think you are wise to get rid of your current lathe which seems like it is beyond economic repair.

The lathes you have suggested (especially the Axminster) are great if you only ever want to make pens and other small spindle work. For not much more than the price of the Axminster precision pro you could get a Record Power DML320 VS which would give you much more swing over the bed, the option to fit a scroll chuck and the ability to make much bigger projects. Unless you think you will never make anything but pens or are extremely restricted fior space this would be a better choice in my opinion. I have reviewed both lathes for Woodturning mag. Both are good, the Record is more versatile.
 
fortress

fortress

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Astley
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I would go for the Axminster because they are quality, you will get what you pay for.
 
fingwe

fingwe

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Nov 2, 2015
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Suffolk
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Melanie
I can't comment on any of the lathes you've mentioned, but I have this lathe, and find it fine for turning pens. Axminster Hobby Series AWSL Woodturning Lathe - Woodturning Lathes - Lathes - Machinery | Axminster Tools & Machinery

I started of with a small second hand Jet lathe, but it had a vibration that I couldn't get to the bottom of. I bought the Axminster lathe as it was one of the cheapest I could find, since I didn't want to spend a huge amount just in case I was the problem! I'll probably upgrade it over the next few months, as I'd really like something a bit bigger and with variable speed, but for the moment this one does fine.
 
B

bigbob

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Inverness
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Bob
Hi Miles the draper does not have a very powerful motor at 250 watts and like Walter says these small Lathes limit you to pens or small spindel work If you are prepared to spend a little more you can get a lathe small enough to do pens but big enough to start doing boxes and bowls up to 10 to 11 " with ease. Was looking for such a Lathe a few months ago and ended up with the kit version of the Nova Comet II which I am very happy with.

NOVA Comet II VS Midi Lathe & G3 Reversible Chuck - PACKAGE DEAL - NOVA - BriMarc Tools & Machinery
 
L

loftyhermes

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If you have the time nip over to the wood show at Newark, it's on tomorrow and Saturday, you'll probably get a deal on a lathe. If you do get there call at the Dukeries club stand and have a chat, I'll be on there doing some demonstrating.
 
Penpal

Penpal

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Huge jump from cheap as you have to this amount, take some time and with all this help in mind re info shop around for 2nd hand when yo are ready.

Peter.
 
Sgreen

Sgreen

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Mar 12, 2015
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Sheffield
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Simon
I have had this lathe for 13 months and not had any mechanical problems with it. However it did dance across the bench and there's no holes in the legs to fasten it to a bench. Easily fixed with a drill but very annoying. The tailstock mechanics are poor - A small pin fits into a rebate which when tuned moves the centre bar in and out. It locks with a key on top of the tailstock. On mine the rebate broke so I couldn't fine tune the tension on my mandrel. It was sorted by the company but again annoying. (Hope you can understand this)

Simon

Midnight_Turner said:
What do folks think about this one? 250W 230V Variable Speed Mini Wood Lathe 60988 Draper


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Pierre

Pierre

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Notwithstanding all that every one has said, it doesn't matter at the first point what power the machine has nor what speed it turns, if the headstock and tailstock points don't meet precisely point to point and NOT 0.5 mm out then its not worth buying ENDIT.

Now if your machine has a total turning capability of 1 metre in length it may be possible by juggling the feet to make the points meet (up to 3mm) but on these small cast iron lathes you will need a stout set of clamps to twist the bed sufficiently to iron out a 1 mm point to point error.

So first thing is the kiss test and don't listen to 'oh 1mm is within tolerance' Its NOT

PG
 


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