Lathe Upgrade suggestions

[Bigbud78]

Most likely an impossibility on my budget, currently have a Record CL4 and saw a Jet 3520b in Axy and fell in love, unfortunately my wallet can not extend that far so I've been looking round at an alternative.

The heft of the machine, banjo and over all build has me wanted to replace the CL4 which If fine for the smaller bit but get a big piece of wet cherry on and its limitations are clear.

Cant really see anything other than Jubilees, any older machines worth looking at which are a bit beefier ? Maybe a poolewood ? With the sale of the CL4 id hope to have just over a 1000. Not in a hurry for anything so I'm happy to watch the free ads and ebay for something.

 

[marcros]

what about a maxi 1? They dont come up for sale that often, but may sneak into your budget

 

[Bigbud78]

what about a maxi 1? They dont come up for sale that often, but may sneak into your budget

Cheers bud, I'll have a look

 

[Robbo3]

16" swing is the next step up from the CL4 (just got the new Stiles & Bates catalogue so was able to view the specs) & although you will probably notice the difference, but not as much as the bigger 20". Saying that, Woodfarmer of this forum has turned some pretty hefty chunks on his AT1628VS but I can't remember if he has the bed extension which allows a 34" swing.

When you consider the price of new 16" & 20" swing lathes you certainly have to have deep pockets.

Killinger, Nova, Robust, Stratos & VB36 lathes are sold in the UK so may come up second hand.

Oneway are Canadian. They had one in The Toolpost at one time along with a VB36.

Wadkins seem to come up fairly regularly & are built to industrial standards but I don't know the swing over the bed or the headstock threads.

The value for money machine is the Record Maxi-1 which new is £2000, the same price as the 16" Axminsters et al & has a capacity of 21" x 37". There were several variations of the older Maxi lathes so if you come across one read the specs carefully.

 

[duncanh]

Also consider a Wivamac (available from Toolpost). I upgraded from a Nova DVR and it's a much, much better machine, although obviously more expensive. No idea how often they come up second hand or what they go for.

 

[Keithie]

If you're trying to balance a tight budget with a desire for a big turning capacity, powerful lathe then one option, if you have or fancy trying to develop the skills is to build your own. You might be ableto pick up an old chunky headstock, a big motor and an rsj plus a few bits & pieces moderately easly then .. boom...you're sorted (well, maybe after some fettling!)

If you search for 'building a bowl turning lathe' you might be surprised at what folk make!

 

[kevinlightfoot]

If it's mainly bowl turning you are interested in you can't go far wrong with a short bed graduate,not the bowl lathe but the shortbed,I turned on one of these for a long time I did however upgrade the motor to a 2hp which is needed for large diameter bowls .I have turned bowls of 19" diameter on this type of machine and some pretty heavy wet and unbalanced chunks of wood.There is a guy on eBay selling one at the moment at your price range I think ,alternatively contact LRE machinery they specialise in refurbished graduates and are a great company to deal with.Remember if you are going into large bowl turning to opt for the 2hp motor or you will get very frustrated at having to take light cuts on large diameter bowls.Hope this helps Kev.

 

[kevinlightfoot]

Just had a look for you there is a guy in Fakenham selling a3 phase shortbed .Upgrade this to a2 Hp single phase motor and you will be sorted at a very reasonable cost I should think.Ithink LRE could do this for you but I suppose it would be more costly than doing it yourself Of course you would need a new switch or you could go for one of the variousness conversion kits.