Cheapest solid lathe?

[Stiggy]

Hi guys,

I've been turning since the beginning of November on a 20 year old Sealy 300 swing I got for £50. It's great and I have learnt an awful lot from it. I have bought an SK100 chuck and a new 4 prong centre from Axminster, which have both improved my turning loads.

The problem is that I'm finding vibration and general age of the machine making turning hard in some instances and not enabling me to get a great finish due to the slight wobbles etc.

What I am looking for is one with a variable speed, that can handle up to approx 12" or larger bowls. I originally wanted a lathe to produce staircase/decking spindles, but now I have decided to worry about those another day and want to concentrate on bowls, platters and pots/boxes.

I generally use the lathe for about 3-5 hours every evening.

I keep looking online to try to find a lathe I can afford, as like most people I have naff all money, but not having a lot of luck.

Can anyone recommend anything?

 

[Dalboy]

The problem being is that if you get another lathe unless it has the same spindle nose thread as what you have got that you may need to buy a new chuck unless the one you have is able to have inserts for different threads, also any morse tapers you have may not be the same. So it means you may have to up your budget some more.
If you go for another lathe with the same thread then it will not be so bad.
You also don't mention what kind of budget you have as that will also dictate the lathe you buy

 

[paulm]

How have you got the current lathe mounted ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[Spindle]

Hi

You might want to investigate improving your technique - four months experience is not a long time - have you asked for advice before? - you never know it may be you and not the lathe at fault

Regards Mick

 

[Stiggy]

Good points! I suppose 3 months IS a little early to expect the results I'm expecting, I'll post a pic tomorrow as the file was too big to upload from my phone.

Thanks for replies!

 

[graduate_owner]

Don't go for an Axminster hobby series then, they are rated at 100 hours per year (maximum).

K

 

[JimB]

Are the bearings as old as the lathe?

 

[Stiggy]

Very possibly Jim - the same guy had the lathe from new - he gave me the original receipt!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Stiggy, in order to remove the lathe as a variable are you able to get access to another turner near you? It would be helpful to try out one of your typical pieces on another lathe and you could also do a lot worse than join a club. Check online to see if any operate near to you. They're a superbly valuable resource and typically chicken feed to join annually

 

[Spindle]

Hi Stiggy

Having just viewed your latest photos in your other thread it's difficult to see where you have a problem, or are you doing an awful lot of sanding?

Might be an idea to specify where you are having difficulties - we could possibly advise ways to overcome them.

Regards Mick

 

[Stiggy]

Cheers Bob, I think there's one about 20 miles away from me, so I will check it out next month.

Hi Stiggy

Having just viewed your latest photos in your other thread it's difficult to see where you have a problem, or are you doing an awful lot of sanding?

Might be an idea to specify where you are having difficulties - we could possibly advise ways to overcome them.

Regards Mick

That's very kind of you to say Mick, I don't spend hours on sanding as I don't have a dust extractor at the moment, I think I'm going to chill out a bit and visit the club so I know how other lathes sound/work. It a problem isn't it when you love something so much - you always want everything to be perfect and be great every time!

While I have lots of patience with this wonderful art, I suppose i already want to reach 'the next level'...

...maybe I should just be happy with what I've got at the moment and concentrate on my technique and form...

...It's hard when I watch so many Youtubers who have lathes with great lathe beds and variable speed - I have total lathe envy!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Stiggy, I've pm'd you....I didn't realise you were so close to me....thought Lewes was in Scotland for some odd reason (Lewis I was probably thinking of as I have a friend there). You're welcome to come and try stock on my setup. But I agree with Mick, based on the pictures, your finishing is pretty dam good. You'll be needing to bring Hob nobs mind!!!

 

[Stiggy]

I had a look at the lathe today and discovered there's a rectangular bar unerring the round running rail which has a loose screw, the thread has gone so I'll replace that and that should help.

I also have to look at how the motor unit is mounted. It seems to be vibrating a little, I may add some rubber mat to help dampen it a bit.