New lathe please help...

[Midnight_Turner]

Thanks all, some great advice here. I have now completed my research into all the different exhibitors that will be at the show tomorrow and I have narrowed down my selection to two machines. The first is the Axminster one that we've already spoken about: Axminster Trade Series Precision Pro Lathe - Woodturning Lathes - Lathes - Machinery | Axminster Tools & Machinery

Pluses for me on this one are that it has the variable speed, it's light and portable, and I am loving the Collette system, I never knew you could do all the knobs for dolls house furniture etc, the video was very interesting.

The second choice is this Charnwood one: W815P Mini Lathe Package Deal 1

Pluses for this one is that yes it still comes with the variable speed, but also comes with a chuck as well so I wouldn't be limited to just mandrel turned items.

I was leaning towards the Axminster one until I saw the Charnwood one and now I don't know again. After having been through all of the exhibitors that are going to be there tomorrow, these are definitely the only two lathes I'm interested in, so if anyone knows anything about the Charnwood lathes please let me know


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[Phil Dart]

Miles - we've never met, but I'm certain I would like you if we did. Therefore, DO NOT buy the Charnwood. A six month old lump of stilton is less cheesy! Another member, whom I'm pretty certain will be along later, has described it before as more suited to anchoring a small boat.

I'm sure that were you to replace your car, if your budget stretched to a VW Golf you wouldn't then go out and buy a Lada.

Sorry if this offends anyone with happy experiences of Charnwood lathes. I am sure that good examples exist here and there, but the reality is that you are in an almost negligible minority.

Oh dear. Potential contentious post alert

 

[Midnight_Turner]

My mum used to drop us off at school in an old white lada riva!! It had brown pvc seats that in the summer if you were wearing shorts used to burn the backs of your legs! Point noted thanks


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[Pierre]

That Charnwood looks very very small and very very underpowered

 

[wm460]

It had brown pvc seats that in the summer if you were wearing shorts used to burn the backs of your legs! Point noted thanks


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That happens all year round here.

 

[Penpal]

Always sad the Vicmarc lathes are only made in Australia. Trust you find your best lathe at a reasonable price in the UK.

Peter.

 

[21William]

The collet system on the Axminster precision pro is very nice but it's also a liability as you can't fit another chuck on this machine. You can on the other hand fit a collet chuck on most other wood turning lathes. Another lathe to consider:
Axminster Hobby Series AH-1218VS Woodturning Lathe - Woodturning Lathes - Lathes - Machinery | Axminster Tools & Machinery

 

[fingwe]

The collet system on the Axminster precision pro is very nice but it's also a liability as you can't fit another chuck on this machine. You can on the other hand fit a collet chuck on most other wood turning lathes. Another lathe to consider:
Axminster Hobby Series AH-1218VS Woodturning Lathe - Woodturning Lathes - Lathes - Machinery | Axminster Tools & Machinery

Hmmm, that would be a deal breaker for me. Great as a second (or third!) lathe, but not as an only lathe, IMHO.

 

[Walter]

Miles - we've never met, but I'm certain I would like you if we did. Therefore, DO NOT buy the Charnwood. A six month old lump of stilton is less cheesy! Another member, whom I'm pretty certain will be along later, has described it before as more suited to anchoring a small boat.

Here I am.

Please, please do yourself a favour Miles, as Phil says, you seem like a nice chap and I really wouldn't wish a Charnwood lathe upon you. Anchoring a boat is too good for it.

I once demonstrated at Turner's Retreat on a Charnwood lathe. The headstock would not slide on the bed, nothing aligned, we had to use a hammer on it to get it to work at all and I hated it.

The Axminster I liked so much I bought the one that I tested for Woodturning mag. Here is a link to my review:

Axminster Precision Pro

 

[Walter]

Hmmm, that would be a deal breaker for me. Great as a second (or third!) lathe, but not as an only lathe, IMHO.

It wouldn't be my first choice as an only lathe either but Miles seems determined he wants only a small lathe. I would rather see him buy that than be disappointed by some of the other cheap machines that have been suggested,

 

[Midnight_Turner]

Looks like Axminster precision pro it is, let's hope I can get a good deal tomorrow, anyone else going?


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[21William]

Hmmm, that would be a deal breaker for me. Great as a second (or third!) lathe, but not as an only lathe, IMHO.

The problem with the Precision Pro is that the headstock spindle has a very fine thread that doesn't really lend itself to having a wood turning chuck fitted to it. Axminster tools could I'm sure make a chuck to fit it but I'm not sure how durable the whole thing would be.

It's a one trick pony of a lathe, albeit good at that one trick!

 

[21William]

A collet Chuck is very useful, I've got one of these (plus collets) to fit my lathe.

Access Denied

Even better if you can find one to fit your lathe is a collet chuck that threads directly onto the spindle as you can pass long stock through it if required.

 

[Penpal]

A collet Chuck is very useful, I've got one of these (plus collets) to fit my lathe.

Access Denied

Even better if you can find one to fit your lathe is a collet chuck that threads directly onto the spindle as you can pass long stock through it if required.

That,s a cheap unit indeed using the Morse Taper..delivery to us is 59cents free express to the UK and 32 mm to boot,what a find.

Peter.

 

[21William]

Don't forget you need to buy some collets to go with it Peter. These can be had singly or in sets though for a good price on the same site.

I've been using smaller ER collet chucks with a plain shank to make collet handles. They are only about £7.50 delivered.

 

[Penpal]

Don't forget you need to buy some collets to go with it Peter. These can be had singly or in sets though for a good price on the same site.

I've been using smaller ER collet chucks with a plain shank to make collet handles. They are only about £7.50 delivered.

You have a beaut talent right there William. Sad but true facts of life the extra for collets, drills, etc Fantastic...................Peter.