Recent content by 11redrex

The supplier offered a refund after I got through to him what the problem was - he seemed to think there was a part missing but it's just a badly engineered lathe. I can get the tailstock roughly central before I clamp it down, and have used a couple of wooden wedges to hold it there. Only...

Emailed them today. Said I wasn't happy with it and wanted a refund. We'll see....

ok, sussed the "moving when clamped" prolem, stuck a couple of bits of thin rubber on the feet of the tailstock. However it still dosn't sit centrally, as the base of the tailstock is narrower than the gap it drops into. Just badly made I suppose. Makes me wonder though, why bother mass...

The tailstock on the SIP 01488 Lathe I just got doesn't sit centrally on the bed, even when it's clamped down it's off centre and still moves around a bit. Is this normal, either for this lathe or any other ? I'm also looking for another way to hold spindles, apart from having to ram a point...

Well, after a bit of a shakey start, I eventually got round to ruining a couple of perfectly good parrot perches this morning. How does so much wood become so little so quickly ? How does quickly become 4 hours ? And finally, does anyone want a pair of miniature drumsticks ?

nice one Kevin, I haven't laughed so much since I heard the one about the cheap lathe and the barge pole :wink: It arrived today, so at least the service is good. The box is a bit tatty, so it may be a catalgue return or just old stock. I'll be speaking to SIP tomorrow to see what they say, and...

What makes a good drumstick ? The drummer I reckon ;) There are hundreds of different sticks available, ranging from a couple of quid (usually maple) to over £30 (hollow aluminium) for a pair. The design is also extremely variabe. Shaft diameter and length, tip size and shape, taper, balance...

Thanks for all the welcomes and advice, I read a few posts here before deciding to join up and you seem like a friendly knowledgeable bunch. I'll hunt down a copy of the book, it seems to be the one to start with, and I have no experience of wood turning, so it'll be time well spent reading up...

Okey dokey, if it'll do what I need it to I'll be happy. I think the wood I've got is called Ramin ? It came from a pet shop suppliers, and was described as a hard wood suitable for parrot perches . Anyone used this type of wood , or know where I can lay my hands on some hickory or oak ?

Hello all, I'm new here so be gentle with me :) I've been thinking about buying a small lathe for a while, mainly so I can have a go at making my own drum sticks. I had a look at the drill-powered Axminster lathe, but I would have had to buy another drill as well, as mine is an old monster. So...