new lathe,should i bolt it to the floor?

[onzlow]

hi all
newbie to turning and the forum here, I have just bought me first lathe its a sip 01940,and have just tried turning my first green log.
all went well apart from the lathe was wobbling quite a lot at 500 rpm and moved about an inch from its original position. it is on the feet provided (once I figured out what they was, instructions are a joke,lol) and I have the feet sat on 1/4" cork to try and reduce vibration and noise.

should I rawl bolt it to the garage floor to stop it moving as I am worried it might warp the bed or similar damage?
cheers
phil

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Rather than go straight for bolting it down I suggest making a shelf to fit on the flanges in the legs and load this with a few concrete blocks. You'll probably find your technique and preparation will improve to the point where securing a 130kg lathe is not necessary and you'll be able to remove the blocks and use the shelf for storage.

In fact, looking at the lathe stand you can put a shelf in at ground level which would be better from a ballast point of view.

Regards Mick

 

[wizard]

sip 01940 :shock: i would think about getting something a bit better

 

[onzlow]

sip 01940 :shock: i would think about getting something a bit better

bit late I just spent £600 on it,mrs nearly had my nuts for that much! looked better than the record or mini lathes I found for similar price

it was wobbling before I touched it with a tool,am I likely to bugger it up by bolting it down?

 

[Vic Perrin]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum. I am not far from you I live in Rugeley. I worked in Lichfield for 20 years before I retired.
You will find the site very helpful in your endeavour to get woodturning.

I have been turning for about 5 years now and still learning, the site has been great and I have picked up loads of sound advice.

With regards to your wobble problem I think that I would weight the base as suggested until you start to get used to the machine. I assume that the lathe is variable speed with the lowest speed being 500 rpm, I have a Record Maxi 1 variable speed lathe and can slow it down to 50 rpm but I have found that in some cases when I have got a bit of a wobble increasing the speed slightly gets me through it. The more you practice the easier it gets to get work in balance.

Enjoy !

Regards
Vic

 

[onzlow]

Cheers.well have to meet sometime u can give me some tips.i havnt a clue.lol
Do I need to center the wood better as it was almost oval but no idea how to do it better. Do u think bolting it down would cause damage etc?

 

[chipmunk]

+1 for Spindle's comments but I'd use bags of sand rather than concrete blocks - less likely to move around and fall off the shelf onto your foot :wink:

A ballast box if you can make one may be better than a shelf, along these lines...
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=turning&file=articles_133.shtml

HTH
Jon

 

[onzlow]

Great idea.ill get on it tomorrow. Mine looks very similar to the jet but half the price and a different colour
Although I guess there's some major differences for that price. Although for my first one im pleased with it.does everything I need it to do

 

[finneyb]

Three possible causes
1. Lathe bed needs to be level both ways ie lengthwise and across the bed
2. Wood too big/heavy for the lathe - did you support it with the tail stock?
3. Wood out of balance - have you been able to rough it out and get it round?

As said above should be no need to bolt it down - ballast should help

HTH

Brian

 

[onzlow]

Managed to turn it round. Just had to chase the lathe round the garage to do it.lol

 

[chipmunk]

The main problem is almost certainly that 500 RPM, the slowest official speed on your lathe, is too fast for the piece you were turning.

With a Reeves drive, such as your SIP lathe has, you may be able to hold the speed change lever in a slightly slower position, with a tie-wrap or something else, beyond the first index position. I used to be able to do that with my old Axminster M900 when things got too hairy and it shouldn't worry the Reeves drive at all to do this, provided you don't force it.

HTH
Jon

 

[onzlow]

Great stuff.ill give it a go.already had to grind the locating pin on the speed lever as it didnt clear enough to change speed

 

[Spindle]

Hi

With a slowest speed of 500 RPM and yourself as a beginner, (sorry if this assumption is wrong), I think you should try to make things a little easier for yourself by using 'prepared' spindle or bowl blanks at least until you can bring them into balance fairly quickly. As a beginner, going straight in and trying to turn out of balance 'logs' is potentially hazardous, (based on your statement, 'well have to meet sometime u can give me some tips.i havnt a clue.lol ).

Have fun however you decide to proceed

Regards Mick

 

[onzlow]

Yup im very new at it how did u guess lol. I just get very board spindle turning I Love bowls etc and thought id have a go with a log I had in the garden.had a garage full of potato peelings but please I got it round. Turned the chuck rebate in the open end after it was round and I was confident to take the tail stock out. Think ill leave it a while to dry out more as very wet

 

[wizard]

i may be a good idea to go to a club a few times and get the hang of things

 

[onzlow]

Sound like a plan.anyidea of the nearest wood supplier to lichfield?

 

[Vic Perrin]

i may be a good idea to go to a club a few times and get the hang of things

Mid Staffs Woodturners meet on the First Friday of every month. They are based at The Village Hall in Etchinghill near Rugeley which is not far from you.

I have not been myself but intend to start attending in February.

If you want to pop over and see my set up anytime you are more than welcome.

Cheers

Vic

 

[henton49er]

My first lathe was an Axi AWVSL1000: I added 50kg of weight with sacks of builders sand on the built-in shelf.

I now have a Woodfast M410: this is bolted to the floor of my workshop. Much more stable and I would recommend this approach to anyone.

 

[onzlow]

Ill go to the meeting.sounds like a good idea ill see u there. Ill try the ballast idea and if im not happy ill bolt the beast down

 

[onzlow]

Just looked it up.ill go and have a look.might have a go at the bud vase lol