B & Q copy lathe

[philg]

Hello all

Recently picked up a Macallister Copy lathe at B&Q along with a set of 5 Rexon chisels for £115, was i wise or a fool easily parted etc, i've never turned anything before so it's all new to me

Thanks, Phil

 

[Steve Blackdog]

Phil

I am posting this reply as it seems your post has been overlooked!

I'm a recent convert to turning myself so I can't comment on the wisdom of your choice. A lathe and chisels for that price can't be a complete mistake!

But I can say that I now I have got started, I realise the cost of the lathe is the least expensive bit. I spent around £120 on a nice little Axminster Perform (Chinese) CCSL lathe plus £50 for a set of budget HSS tools.

I then bought a bench grinder; then a drill chuck; then a sharpening jig for the bench grinder and most recently a Robert Sorby Patriot chuck for more than I paid for the lathe!

I'm now setting myself a rule only to buy good quality kit that I can use with a new lathe if and when I come to upgrading.

I hope you enjoy this strange world as much as I do. My wife wonders what I am doing in the garage for hours on end But it's great to bring her an offering of my latest bowl creation!

Steve

 

[Paul.J]

Phil.
Is it the same as
This one that was posted some time ago.

 

[philg]

Yeah thats the one, i've used it a few times since getting it set up, just messing about with scrapes of wood and im pretty pleased with it, as Steve said you can't go far wrong for £100. Must say its pretty addictive, an hour or two goes by before you know it. A builder i know has just had two big elm trees sliced up, planks are about 30 inchs wide with beautiful grain so im might try and scrounge some and turn a couple of bowls, i'll need to produce something of some worth Steve if the slopes as steep as you say :lol:

Cheers Phil

 

[big chief]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post!

I also have one of these lathes. I am also a complete beginner!

I was thinking of trying some pen turning, but I don't know which mandrel this lathe uses. Can't find info on it anywhere.

Can anyone tell me which to buy?

Cheers

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum Big Chief, the mandrel type largely depends on two factors, you either need one that will fit in the headstock morse taper, yours is most likely a #2, or if you have a 4 jaw chuck one with a parallel shaft that will fit in that.

Once you have determined which type you need and/or confirm the morse taper size there will be numerous opinions on which is the easiest to use.

Have a look at This current Thread on the same subject