andylittlejohns
New member
Hello,
I was kindly given a lathe that belonged to my friend's late husband. This struck me as being fantastic since I've wanted to try wood turning for years but haven't had the funds to buy myself a lathe etc. I've bought Keith Rowley's book and read most of it, I've looked at a few websites and had a couple of friends who have some wood turning experience come and try to make sense of all the bits and try to a few test items on it.
Many of the accessories have crucial bits missing - particularly true of the chucks. Not a problem I thought, I would just buy new ones to replace them since spares don't seem to be readily available for them (almost everything is 30+ years old). However, I've discovered that this lathe is a bit of an odd one according to various reference sites. It is a Sherwood lathe made by James Inns and the headstock is equipped with a 3/4" 10tpi Whitworth thread. I'm finding it very hard anything that will fit onto it. I am particularly looking for a screw chuck, there is part of one but frustratingly it lacks the mounting to attach it to the headstock. I have looked at dozens of sites and I think I'm on to a loser trying to find anyone who manufactures chucks with a 3/4" 10tpi thread. I did find a company in the US that makes an adapter that would allow me to buy parts with a 1" 8tpi thread which looks like it might be worthwhile.
So I have a few questions:
Am I right in thinking I won't find any chucks to fit my lathe? (at least not at a price I can afford)
Is the adapter a good idea? I have friends in the US who might be able to bring it over and save me shipping if all else fails.
Is there somewhere in the UK that makes a similar adapter?
Should I give up on the blasted thing and wait until I can afford a more standard lathe? (I'm not really considering this an option, just frustrated after going round in circles trying to make sense of it)
If the adapter is a worthwhile, what should I be looking at by way of screw chucks (and others) to buy as a beginner on a fairly tight budget.
I would be very grateful for any help anyone can give.
Andy
I was kindly given a lathe that belonged to my friend's late husband. This struck me as being fantastic since I've wanted to try wood turning for years but haven't had the funds to buy myself a lathe etc. I've bought Keith Rowley's book and read most of it, I've looked at a few websites and had a couple of friends who have some wood turning experience come and try to make sense of all the bits and try to a few test items on it.
Many of the accessories have crucial bits missing - particularly true of the chucks. Not a problem I thought, I would just buy new ones to replace them since spares don't seem to be readily available for them (almost everything is 30+ years old). However, I've discovered that this lathe is a bit of an odd one according to various reference sites. It is a Sherwood lathe made by James Inns and the headstock is equipped with a 3/4" 10tpi Whitworth thread. I'm finding it very hard anything that will fit onto it. I am particularly looking for a screw chuck, there is part of one but frustratingly it lacks the mounting to attach it to the headstock. I have looked at dozens of sites and I think I'm on to a loser trying to find anyone who manufactures chucks with a 3/4" 10tpi thread. I did find a company in the US that makes an adapter that would allow me to buy parts with a 1" 8tpi thread which looks like it might be worthwhile.
So I have a few questions:
Am I right in thinking I won't find any chucks to fit my lathe? (at least not at a price I can afford)
Is the adapter a good idea? I have friends in the US who might be able to bring it over and save me shipping if all else fails.
Is there somewhere in the UK that makes a similar adapter?
Should I give up on the blasted thing and wait until I can afford a more standard lathe? (I'm not really considering this an option, just frustrated after going round in circles trying to make sense of it)
If the adapter is a worthwhile, what should I be looking at by way of screw chucks (and others) to buy as a beginner on a fairly tight budget.
I would be very grateful for any help anyone can give.
Andy
