Looking for a new lathe

[Jasper42]

Looking at possibly buying a new lathe, at the moment I have an AXminster perform CCL which I got a few years ago to get me started, still working well but feeling it’s a bit under powered. The Record Power CL4 - Next Generation - Variable Speed looks to suit my needs and at a price I can justify even if Mrs Santa is in theory buying it.

Does anyone own one? Would you recommend this!

Would look at the second hand route but very little comes up around my area.

Would appreciate any advice guidance gentlemen.

Austin

 

[Fire_frogs]

I'm in the same position. I've been looking at the new record power cornet, it looks very good. Also I've been talking to Simon hope and he's got a new lathe that will be available in the new year and apparently it's very good. Also I've looked at the graduate Union lathes. It's a very hard decision to make !

 

[Jasper42]

I'm in the same position. I've been looking at the new record power cornet, it looks very good. Also I've been talking to Simon hope and he's got a new lathe that will be available in the new year and apparently it's very good. Also I've looked at the graduate Union lathes. It's a very hard decision to make !

Looked at the cornet as well but think there is more for the Money with the CL! I think my biggest concern it the fact the CL is on bars unlike the cornet, but not ensure if it is a concern. Trying to make the right choice/future proof so only buy once.

 

[kevinlightfoot]

If you are serious about only buying once then I would consider a Graduate,these lathes are more or less bomb proof.I have owned mine for over thirty years and done some serious turning using it.If you are mostly interested in faceplate turning then go for a shortbed,but for general purpose use I would select a long bed which will let you turn a twelve inch platter or bowl over the bed or much larger on the outboard side of the headstock .There are always one or two for sale on the internet.You could do a lot worse than contact L.R.E. machinery as I did ,they specialise in refurbishing used Graduates and do an excellent job,not cheap but well worth it.

 

[minilathe22]

I am very happy with my Union Graduate lathe, I retrofitted a variable speed drive to it. They are very heavy, and the main casting is one piece so be prepared for a bit more effort getting it home compared to a modern lathe design. The weight adds to making it a good machine though, once setup!