New Lathe - help

[Andycase]

I would really like to get myself a lathe.
Now, through the company i work for (i'm the manager), i can get decent discount on the following brands:

SIP
Sealey
and a little discount off Record Power, but not as much as the ones above.

I want to turn table legs but am more interested in giving bowls a go. I have read a little about turning the headstock and the clearance required etc.

Just wondering if there are any of the above you would recommend? I can get about 25% off the 1st 2 manufacturers and 60-90 day credit terms, so you can see why i am leaning towards them.

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

Can't help with the choice I'm afraid as I'm a beginner myself. I'm sure folks with experience of the brands will be along shortly.
For turning bowls etc. I would say be aware of the inboard turning capacity, and whether the ability to turn either outboard or having a swivel head is available for larger work.

 

[Wood spoiler]

I would really like to get myself a lathe.
Now, through the company i work for (i'm the manager), i can get decent discount on the following brands:

SIP
Sealey
and a little discount off Record Power, but not as much as the ones above.

I want to turn table legs but am more interested in giving bowls a go. I have read a little about turning the headstock and the clearance required etc.

Just wondering if there are any of the above you would recommend? I can get about 25% off the 1st 2 manufacturers and 60-90 day credit terms, so you can see why i am leaning towards them.

The Sealey & SIP are all the same "branded " Chaiwanese machines.

I would receoomend a google on these as I bought a sealey through Amazon of all places well below list price by a margin of £200

The Axminster version comes often as a package which if it is still being offered would be a "complete" (it is never complete as you will always NEED more stuff!) set for less than list with 25% off! Here is a link to the Axi version http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ax ... rod780615/ It is currently £280 The Sealeylist price is c £480 so even with your 25% off - £120 you are still paying over the top.

My advice would be to take a step back, find the right lathe for you on the basis of needs and budget and shop around accordingly. I think the "what discount" argument will lead you astray because it is easy to give a discount on an overly inflated price.

Hope this helps. Not intended as criticism in any way

 

[Blister]

Hello

Record have this one on offer at the moment

Depends how serious you are and what money you are prepared to invest

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/index.php? ... 0TAILSTOCK

Its based on a British made Coronet lathe , hence the CL prefix , variable speed , swivel head , outrigger available and a stand if required

All the budget end lathes are made to a price and if you look closely most are the same lathes painted different colours

 

[Andycase]

Hi
Thanks for all your replies.
Have had a price of £250.00 inc VAT for the Record Power DML305 or £380 inc VAT for the Record Power CL3-CAM with free Woodscrew chuck. Then £90.00 inc VAT for the G3 chuck.
After that it's just the tools.
I am more interested in Bowl turning etc, so was thinking about the DML305? Any thoughts?

 

[Blister]

DML305
12" max bowl size

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/index.php? ... i%20Lathe#


CL3 CAM

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/index.php? ... TAILSTOCK#

Better option with the swivel head . outrigger giving bowels up to 760mm ( 30 " , and size matters ) , 3/4 hp motor ( Better )

 

[Andycase]

Thanks
Is 12inch poor? I was thinking that 12 inch is a fair sized bowl? Fruit bowl type size?

 

[Blister]

Thanks
Is 12inch poor? I was thinking that 12 inch is a fair sized bowl? Fruit bowl type size?

!2" is in my opinion modest , you will soon when the appropriate piece of timber arrives want to do bigger , Platters , Wall hangings etc , so lathe capacity should be on the list

Also when you have a lathe with a swivel head it make life so much easier when hollowing out vase's / hollow forms etc as you are not leaning over the lathe bed

 

[woodstainwilly]

I have a S.I.P. lathe with a rotating head. With it you can swivel to any angle or there is an extension that gives you a full outboard turning facility. Only problem I have found in the three years I have had it is, there is some slogger on the tail stock.
Willy.

 

[boysie39]

If you are going down the Record road go for the CL3 Cam.
REgards Boysie

 

[tapemonkey]

If Record Power, go for the CL4. Variable speed is just the biz.